The First Rhode Island Battery (also known as "Tompkins' Marine Artillery") was an artillery unit which served in the
Union Army during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
.
Service record
The 1st Rhode Island Battery was organized by Colonel
Samuel G. Arnold at the
Benefit Street Arsenal in Providence for three months' service in April 1861. It was organized from the
Providence Marine Corps of Artillery
The 103rd Field Artillery Regiment (103rd FAR) is a regiment of the United States Army. The only currently existing component is the 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Regiment (1-103rd FAR), a unit of the Rhode Island National Guard. The reg ...
, a unit of the Rhode Island Militia. It was commanded by Captain
Charles Henry Tompkins (and later Colonel and Brevet General).
The Battery left Rhode Island for
on April 18, 1861, then moved to
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in and the county seat of Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city's population was 28,127 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Easton is located at the confluence of the Lehigh River and the Delawa ...
on April 19, and to
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...
, on April 27. It performed duty in the defense of that city until June 9. It was mustered into Federal service May 2, and attached to Hunter's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeast Virginia. It moved to
Williamsport, Maryland
Williamsport is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,868 at the 2000 census and 2,137 as of 2010.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.
William ...
, June 9–15, and returned to Washington June 17–20, and then marched to Williamsport July 9–13, and to
Martinsburg, WV. It was then attached to Thomes' Brigade, Patterson's Army and marched to Bunker Hill, VA, and saw action there on July 15.
The Battery moved to Charlestown July 17, and to Harper's Ferry July 22 and then moved to
Sandy Hook, New Jersey and then to
Providence, RI
Providence () is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The county seat of Providence County, it is one of the oldest cities in New England, founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Reformed Baptist theologian and ...
, July 29–31. It was mustered out of service on August 2, 1861.
See also
*
List of Rhode Island Civil War units
List of military units raised by the state of Rhode Island during the American Civil War.
Artillery units
Cavalry
Infantry
Miscellaneous
* Independent Company Hospital GuardsThis unit was organized at Portsmouth Grove, Rhode Island on Dec ...
External links
Timeline
References
Bibliography
* Dyer's Compendium of the War of Rebellion.
{{DEFAULTSORT:1st Rhode Island Battery
Military units and formations in Rhode Island
1861 establishments in Rhode Island
Units and formations of the Union army from Rhode Island
Artillery units and formations of the American Civil War
Military units and formations established in 1861
Military units and formations disestablished in 1861