The History of Battery H First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery in the War to Preserve the Union 1861-1865

by Earl Fenner

CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR.

Lieut.-Col. Crawford Allen, Jr., was born in Providence, R. I., April 2, 1840. He is the son of Crawford and Sarah S. Allen, and grandson of the late Rev. Nathan B. Crocker. He received his education at Brown University, and, upon leaving that institution, he traveled in Europe, and subsequently made a voyage to China, visiting various islands in the East Indies. He afterwards went to California, and was in the city of San Francisco upon the breaking out of the Rebellion. He immediately returned to Rhode Island, and received a commission as second lieutenant in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Nov. 7, 1861. This battery proceeded to Washington Dec. 7, 1861. It took part with the Army of the Potomac in the campaign on the Peninsula. It withdrew from the Peninsula, marching by way of Yorktown to Hampton, where it embarked for Alexandria. The guns were sent forward by transports, in charge of Lieutenant Allen. At the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, the battery under Captain Owen fought with great bravery. This battery also performed good service at the second battle of Fredericksburg, May 2d and 3d, 1863, when Lieutenant Allen received a slight wound.

Shortly after this battle Lieutenant Allen was made adjutant of the regiment, and acting adjutant-general of the Artillery Brigade Sixth Army Corps, which positions he continued to hold until Sept. 30, 1863, when he was promoted to the captaincy of Battery H, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Captain Hazard. Captain Allen was mustered into Battery H Oct. 1, 1863. Captain Allen commanded Fort Richardson, near the falls of the Potomac, for several months.

A correspondent of the Providence Press, writing from Camp Barry, under date of November 30th, says:

“Captain Allen, in the time he has been with us, has shown himself quite efficient as a commander, as well as exceedingly popular with the men.”

In the battle before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, Captain Allen with his battery bore an honorable part. The battery went into action at four A. M., with one section under the immediate command of Captain Allen. It moved forward with the division, and, after crossing the rifle-pits, opened upon a section of rebel artillery which had a flank fire on the Federal infantry. It was soon driven off, when the battery ceased firing, moved to the left, towards Hatcher’s Run, bringing up the caissons and awaited orders. It then moved forward again with the skirmish line and engaged with a rebel battery, which soon had to leave its position. It was followed up until arriving at the Whitworth House, where the battery went into position, near the house which General Lee (Confederate) had occupied as his headquarters. The enemy had placed a rifle battery in position on the left, and obtained an enfilading fire at one thousand seven hundred yards. As the rebel battery was beyond the extreme range of our guns, Captain Allen went to Captain Adams of Battery G, of our regiment, and requested him to open fire upon the enemy. Captain Adams immediately opened on the rebel battery and soon silenced its fire.

Captain Allen was then ordered by Major Cowan to withdraw his guns, which he did, and went into park in rear of his First Division headquarters for the night. In this day’s action four men and ten horses were killed, and six men wounded.

General Wheaton, commanding the First Division of the Sixth Corps, in his report to Major Whittlesey, under date of the 15th of April, says:

“During our advance towards Petersburg Capt. Crawford Allen Jr.’s Battery H, of the First Rhode Island Artillery, was admirably handled, and his losses were severe. His guns were always in front, frequently in advance of the skirmishers; and as our lines moved forward he invariably forced the enemy’s batteries to retire, and followed them closely. Earlier in the day, when the assault commenced, Captain Allen very handsomely compelled a section of the enemy’s artillery to retire. If these guns, occupying one of their intrenched works and thoroughly enfilading our lines, had not been silenced, they might have materially retarded our advance.”

Captain Allen was promoted major for gallantry and meritorious services before Petersburg. He subsequently received the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel.

At the surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox Court House, to Captain Allen with his battery was accorded the honor of firing the first salute in honor of the victory.