Life at Fort Richardson—Moved to Fort Smith and stationed there—Battery equipped again and sent to City Point.
Once more our battery was destined to forego an active participation in the stirring scenes at the front, and to the disappointment of our men we were assigned to the dull routine of garrison life, instead of the more congenial duties of a mounted battery.
Nothing of especial importance transpired during our stay in Fort Richardson. Our men were drilled at the guns in heavy artillery work, and also practiced in the use of mortars. An occasional long roll at night would relieve the monotony of our existence, when the men would hasten to the guns remaining there until reveille.
It was a source of regret to us that we were not permitted to remain with the Ninth Corps, which was at that time with the Army of the Potomac confronting the enemy at Cold Harbor, where a severe battle had just been fought. After the Wilderness and Spottsylvania battles General Grant became convinced that he had more artillery than could be brought into action at any one time. It occupied the roads in marching and taxing the trains in bringing up forage. He therefore sent back to the defenses of Washington over one hundred pieces of artillery, with the horses and caissons. As will be observed our battery was among the number returned. But we did not share our misfortunes alone, for Battery D, of our regiment, was ordered to turn in its guns and equipments to the Arsenal at Washington, and for a time garrisoned Fort Lincoln within the defenses.
General Burnside, who always took pride and satisfaction in having Rhode Island troops in his command, in a letter to General Grant dated June 28, 1864, requesting that more artillery might be added to his corps, said: “In addition to Benjamin’s battery, I should like Gitting’s battery of the Third Artillery and Allen’s (H) and Buckley’s (D) Rhode Island batteries, unless by so doing it would bring up too much field artillery. These have all been sent to Washington. If we are to continue our operations here, guns of heavier calibre will also be required, but these have been promised by General Hunt.”
We conclude that General Grant deemed it inexpedient to comply with this request, as the Rhode Island batteries were not sent to the Ninth Corps. At this time our battery was attached to the Twenty-second Corps, DeRussy’s Division, in the District of Alexandria.
July 10th. Left Fort Richardson at 9.30 A. M., and marched to Fort Smith, which is situated on the Potomac River, near Aqueduct Bridge. On our arrival at the fort we were assigned to No. 1 Barracks. During the night the assembly call was sounded, and we were ordered to take muskets and fall in. This greatly displeased our men, and at first they were inclined to rebel, but better counsels prevailed, and they accepted the situation with the best grace possible. Associated with us in the fort were several companies of the Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery.
On the 14th, the left section of our battery was sent to Bailey’s Cross Roads for picket duty.
July 18th. Inspection at 10.30 A. M. of all the troops in the fort.
July 19th. The centre section was detailed for picket duty near Fort Strong. On the 25th the right section went on picket at the same place.