The Diary of Elisha HuntRhodes in the Civil War
My name is Elisha Hunt Rhodes. This is a summary of the diary that I kept duringmy service in the Civil War. I enlisted at the age of nineteen, against my mother’swishes. ● May 12 1862-We left camp in the evening and marched straight to the White House landing right at the Pamunkey River.There we lucky that we found these 3 guns here ready to go and feeling way more confident now than before. That night, I attended an outdoor meeting next to Negroes. One of the men preached a sermon. He tried to prove from the Bible that a true soldier will seek his is own salvation.
● May 30 1861- There has been an order issued by the Governor Sprague that after the examination a company will be formed the best man now enlisted in the First Light Infantry Company, National Cadet Company and Providence City Guards. During the day Major John S. Slocum of Wheaton made their appearance at the Armory and stated that only 25 men would be taken from the First Light Infantry. Major Slocum asked for someone to act as clerk, and I was detailed for this purpose.
● June 5, 1861-Today our company marched to a building on the east side of Eddy Street near Clifford Street,and we were given mustered into the U.S. Service by Colonel Loomis. The scene was a solemn one and the impression made upon our minds will last a long time. We marched back to the Amory, and during the evening I was fitted out with a uniform. It consisted of a blue flannel shirt worn with the flaps outside of the pants, grey pants , fatigue or forage cap and shoes.● March 26, 1962 - We marched through Washington to the Sixth Street wharf and embarked on the side wheel steamer John Brooks to sail down the Potomac. I should think that there were one hundred vessels in sight. The boat is crowded and the men are
not very comfortable. The night is passed in singing.● July 3, 1962 - We left Malvern Hill and marched all night in the pouring rain. I am very tired and sleepy. We have had no rest since June 24 and we are nearly dead.● October 15, 1962 - Winter is approaching. For the past few days it has been cold and cloudy, and the men have no overcoats. We are hoping to receive new clothing very soon.● July 4 1862 -This morning every single troop were laid out outside on the ground. Right as I was going to the spring to get a
drink, I ran into General McClellan who said to me” good morning soldier”. We discussed the celebration that we would hold as soon as the fort was finished.● July 9 1861- We have had a sad accident today. While on drill a caisson belonging to our battery exploded and killed two men and wounded three others. This sad affair has cast a gloom over our camps and it gives us
our first idea of the terrible effect of gun powder. Governor Sprague has taken up his quarters with our Regiment. May 4, 1863 - Atillery firing all day. The Rebels have taken possession of Fredericksburg in our rear and we are cut off from the river, but we have confidence in General Sedgwick and shall get out of the scrape somehow. Heavy fighting is going on up river where hooker is trying to break through, but we do not know the result. It looks bad and we feel blue.● May 6, 1863 - I will be so glad when this war is over. I do not like so much death and destruction.
● July 1, 1863 - We have been doing some fine marching for the past few days. We have averaged 20 miles per day. Young ladies stand at the gates of every town and give us water and bread for our journey.● July 8,1863 - The War is over! We give thanks to God that the Army of the Potomac has been victorious!● July 12, 1865 - The Rolls are finished, and we are to be mustered out of service tomorrow. I have written my last letter from the Army today. I thank God that I have had the opportunity of serving my country, freeing the slaves, and restoring the Union.
I returned from serving in the Civil War four long years after leaving my mother as anineteen year old boy. I had many adventures and saw many great changes inmyself. 1. Troops marched sometimes 20 miles per day 2. Troops trained and conducted drills 3. Troops held bible study with fellow soilders 4. Elisha served as a clerk 5. Troops relied on townspeople to feed and clothe us as we marched 6. Communication between troops was often difficult 7. Troops sang song at night to entertain ourselves 8. Troops went long periods of no rest and exhaustion 9. Troops endured days of endless fighting and violence 10. Elisha took great pride in freeing the slaves
Citations Rhodes, In. \"In Camp With Elisha Hunt Rhodes Feb 26, 1862 HISTORY.Com\".HISTORY.com. N. p., 2016. Web. 29 Jan. 2016. Amazon.com,. \"All For The Union: The Civil War Diary & Letters Of Elisha Hunt Rhodes: Elisha Hunt Rhodes, Robert Hunt Rhodes, Geoffrey C. Ward: 9780679738282: Amazon.Com: Books\". N. p., 2016. Web. 29 Jan. 2016. Larry Vandermolen, Irene Cheung from FTR. \"The Diary Of A Union Soldier (1862) \". Wwnorton.com. N. p., 2016. Web. 29 Jan. 2016 Zilian, Fred. \"Amid Horrors Of 1864, R.I. Soldier Perseveres\". Zilian Commentary. N. p., 2015. Web. 8 Feb. 2016. Findagrave.com,. \"Elisha Hunt Rhodes (1842 1917) Find A Grave Memorial\". N. p., 2016. Web. 8 Feb. 2016. Pbs.org,. \"Biographies | The Civil War | PBS\". N. p., 2016. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1 - 11
Pages: