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2nd Rhode Island Infantry

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Muster In: Organized at Providence June, 1861.1
Muster Out: Mustered out July 13, 1865.2

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel Elisha H. Rhodes
Commander Image

Captain James A. Bowen
Commander Image

Commander 3
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | Second Division | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army3,4

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | Second Division | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army6,7

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber) (June 30, 1864)8
  • Note: The 2nd Rhode Island was temporarily attached to the 37th Massachusetts in late June 1864. The entire Fourth Brigade consisted of the 37th Massachusetts, with elements of the 7th and 10 MA, and the 2nd RI attached.9

Third Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 2nd Rhode Island still appears to have been attached to the 37th Massachusetts in the field and was not an independent command at this time. More research is needed.
  • Note: Left the Petersburg front on July 9, 1864.10

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not present at the Siege of Petersburg.11

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not present at the Siege of Petersburg.12

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not present at the Siege of Petersburg.13

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | First Division | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army14

  • Commander: Captain Elisha H. Rhodes (December 31, 1864)15
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This unit moved to the Siege of Petersburg from December 2-6, 1864.16
  • Note: The 2nd Rhode Island consisted of six (6) companies at this time.17

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | First Division | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army18,19,20

  • Commander:
    • Captain James A. Bowen (January 1865)21
    • Lieutenant Colonel Elisha H. Rhodes (February 28, 1865)22
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 2nd Rhode Island consisted of six (6) companies at this time.23,24,25
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle.26

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | First Division | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army27,28

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Elisha H. Rhodes (March 31, 1865)29
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles30:

  • Before Petersburg June 17-18.
  • Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23.
  • Siege of Petersburg till July 9.
  • Moved to Washington, D.C., July 9-11.
  • …away…
  • Moved to Petersburg, Va., December 2-6.
  • Siege of Petersburg December, 1864, to April, 1865.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865.
  • Fort Fisher, Petersburg, March 25.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Pursuit of Lee April 3-9.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    3. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 227 ↩
    4. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 548 ↩
    5. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 2nd Rhode Island Entry, Page 63; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 227 ↩
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 548 ↩
    8. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 2nd Rhode Island Entry, Page 63; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 548: More research is needed. ↩
    10.  A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    11.  A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    12.  A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    13.  A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1119: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1119: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    16.  A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1119: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 330: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 743: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 67: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 330: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 743: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 330: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 743: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    25. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 67: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 67: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
    27. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 571: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 587: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    29. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 571: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    30. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩

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