BENJAMIN H. CHILD.
Second Lieut. Benjamin H. Child, son of John G. and Mary A. Child, was born in Providence, R. I., May 8, 1843. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. When he was fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to Grenville Greenleaf, to learn the wire working business.
At the age of eighteen he enlisted as a private in the Second Rhode Island Battery, afterwards known as Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861. The battery was hotly engaged at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. It was the only six-gun volunteer battery taking all of its pieces from the field, two of them being in a disabled condition. Private Child was slightly wounded in this action. Battery A was connected with the Sixth, Ninth and Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. It was engaged in every battle in which the Second Corps participated. Private Child was present with his battery in the fight at Bolivar Heights, Sept. 16, 1861, and subsequently in the campaign on the Peninsula. On the 16th of July, 1862, he was promoted to corporal, and Sept. 12, 1862, he was made a sergeant. At the battle of Antietam he was again wounded, this time severely by a bullet in the head.
In the severe struggle at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., Battery A fought with distinguished bravery, losing five men killed and twenty-three wounded. Here Sergeant Child was severely wounded in the shoulder, at the time of Pickett’s charge on Cemetery Ridge. He was sent to Satalee Hospital, at West Philadelphia. When sufficiently recovered to be removed he started for Rhode Island. While on his way home he passed through New York City, at the time of the draft riots. Sergeant Child witnessed the fearful scenes in the streets while he was being conveyed in a carriage through the city to the Fall River steamer where he was to embark for Rhode Island. It appeared as if the rabble might attempt to attack the wounded Union soldier, and he remarked that it would be “rather humiliating to be slaughtered by a mob after passing through the charge of Gettysburg.” But the driver of the carriage kept as far as possible from the centre of disturbance, and Sergeant Child was soon safely aboard the steamer. He was hurried aboard in such haste and in such rude fashion that, his wound, but imperfectly healed, had to be opened again, and the result is that he is troubled with a stiff shoulder to this day.
In recognition of his services in the field Governor Smith commissioned him a second lieutenant in Battery A. He was afterwards transferred to Battery H, his commission dating from Nov. 6, 1865. Owing to his wound he was unable to report for duty until after Christmas. He then proceeded to Brandy Station, where Battery A was at the front, and received his discharge from that battery. The mustering officer at General Sumner’s headquarters had hardly signed the papers when a shell burst through the tent, and seriously wounded that officer. Lieutenant Child then returned to Washington, and reported for duty to Captain Allen commanding Battery H, which was then stationed at Camp Barry, in the defenses of Washington. He was mustered into this battery Jan. 8, 1864. He served with credit in his new position until he was compelled in consequence of his wounds to resign his commission, Nov. 23, 1864. For about eighteen months he was employed in the quartermaster’s department at Washington.
On his return to Providence he was employed with Greenleaf & Company, on Westminster Street, for about two years. He was subsequently appointed watchman at the Rhode Island State Prison.
On the 1st of May, 1868, he was appointed by the late Mayor Thomas A. Doyle a patrolman on the police force of the City of Providence, and he was promoted to doorman, Station 1, June 4, 1874; sergeant, Aug. 16, 1877; captain, Aug. 8, 1879. Elected chief Jan. 5, 1881. Re-elected every year since.
He joined Prescott Post, No. 1, June 7, 1867. He was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Department Commander in 1887–8; he was elected a delegate at large to the National Encampment in 1888; and elected a member of the Council of Administration of the Department of Rhode Island in 1889. In 1890 he was elected to the position of Senior Vice Department Commander, and in the following year (1891) to that of Department Commander. He is a member of the Massachusetts Commandery, Loyal Legion of the United States. He is one of the committee on the publication of the History of Battery H.
It may not be out of place here to mention the fact that Lieutenant Child’s twin brother, William D. Child, served with distinction in Battery A, entering the service as private and rising successively to the rank of first sergeant. After this battery was consolidated with Battery B, it took part in the fierce battle of Reams’s Station, Aug. 25, 1864, when the combined battery was nearly annihilated. The total of killed, wounded and missing numbered fifty-two, with a loss of all the guns and fifty horses. Lieut. William S. Perrin, who was in command of the battery, had his leg shattered and was taken prisoner. Lieutenants Chace and Spencer were also made prisoners. This disaster reduced the battery to seventy-two men. Captain Brown being on duty in Rhode Island, and the other officers in the hands of the enemy, the command devolved on First Sergeant Child, who continued to serve in that capacity until the arrival of Captain Brown.
On the fiftieth anniversary of his birth, which occurred May 8, 1893, the friends of Chief Child (and they are legion), in recognition of his long and faithful service on the police force of the city, determined to show their affection and esteem for him in a substantial manner. On the evening of the above date, at his own home, with a large assembly present, he was made the recipient of an elegant solid silver tea service, the gift of the officers and members of the Police Department; also a handsome remembrance from the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Providence. One of the gifts which he prizes highly is a beautiful picture presented to him by his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic. His estimable wife was also pleasantly remembered by several appropriate gifts from many friends and acquaintances.