Navigation  Original Soldiers  Grave Markers  Our Ancestors  History of the 75thOVI  Roll of Honor  The 75th OVI Today  Pics of Today  Bugle Calls  Reenacting schedule 02-03  Frequent Questions  3rd Rhode Island HA  Suggested Links  Email US! 

Welcome to the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery
                                                     



Attention All Men of Union!!!!!!!

 

The 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Re-enactors want you!!

We are in search of members who would like to portray Heavy Artillerymen. Volunteers will serve as riflemen and when available have the opportunity to work as a member of cannon crew. As you will notice below the 3rd RIHA actually served in Florida in 1864. This is a great opportunity to Re-enact a Regiment that actually saw service in our state.



 

For more information please contact:

 

Rob at Bugler75thOhio@aol.com

 

 

 

The Origins of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery


Our story starts in Providence Rhode Island in August 1861, with the formation of the 3d Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. After side trips to Ft. Hamilton, NY, the 3rd RIVI was sent south with Sherman's South Carolina Expeditionary Force in October of '61. After participating in the capture of Ft Walker and Ft Beauregard, and the capture of Port Royal, The 3rd RIVI was reorganized into the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery on December 19, 1861.

Battery "A" of the 3rd RIHA operated against Charleston, SC until April of 1864. At that time, it was transferred to Jacksonville, Florida. Among the operations the 3rd participated in were the attack on Gen. Finnigan's Camp (C.S.A.), Cedar Creek, The Expedition to Baldwin, the Raid on the Florida Railroad, and The Battle of Gainesville on Aug. 17, 1864. At the battle of Gainesville, Battery “A” lost one gun to capture. During this period, Battery “A” provided fire support for the 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Mounted.

Over the years the 75th OVI has collected documents, rosters and personal histories from the war. We are Proud to inherit the history of the 3rd RIHA, and so the learning and research process will begin anew. This will be an ongoing project, and is the responsibility of all of us to research and share information.

 

 


Original Colors flown by the 3rd RIHA



Original Battle Flag of the 3rd RIHA

 

 

“While not sporting a corps badge this 3rd RI artillery officers kepi is still a nice identified cap and deserves an appearance. It is marked on the inside, "Sergeant Thomas B. Davis, B Co, 3d Rhode Island Heavy Artillery". A search of him on Civilwardata.com, revealed that he served the entire war in that unit. The 3rd RI was in support of the 54th Mass at Ft Wagner, and was in Florida at the battles of Olustee, and Gainsville. This cap is compliments of Doby Pilgrim” and Jim Mayo at http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/j_mayo/relics.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Battery "A"


Attached to Sherman's Expeditionary Corps to April, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of the South, to July, 1862. U.S. Forces Hilton Head, S.C., Dept. South, to September, 1862. U.S. Forces Hilton Head, S. C., 10th Corps, Dept. South, to January, 1863. District of Beaufort, S.C., 10th Corps, to November, 1863 . Morris Island, S.C., 10th Corps, Dept. South, to December, 1863. Folly Island. S.C., 10th Corps, to January, 1864. District of Hilton Head, S. C, 10th Corps, to April, 1864. District of Florida, Dept. South, to October, 1864. District of Beaufort, S.C., 2nd Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to November, 1864. Artillery Brigade, Coast Division, Dept. of the South, to January, 1865. District of Beaufort, 2nd Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, and Dept. of South Carolina, to August, 1865.

SERVICE.--Duty at Hilton Head, S.C., until January, 1863. Action at Whitmarsh and Wilmington Islands April 16, 1862. At Beaufort, S.C., until November, 1863. Moved to Morris Island, S.C., November 14-16, and operations against Charleston, S.C., from Morris and Folly Islands, until December, 1863. Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., and duty there until April, 1864. Moved to Jacksonville, Fla., and duty there until October, 1864. Expedition from Jacksonville to Finnegan's Camp May 25. Cedar Creek May 25. Expedition from Jacksonville to Camp Milton May 31-June 3. Expedition to Baldwin July 23-28. South Fork Black Creek July 24. Near Whitesides July 27. Raid on Florida Railroad August 15-19. Engagement at Gainesville August 17. Moved to Beaufort, S.C., October, and duty there until November 29. Expedition to Boyd's Neck November 29-30. Battle of Honey Hill November 30. Demonstration on Charleston & Savannah Railroad December 6-9. Deveaux Neck December 6 and December 27. Duty at Beaufort, S.C., until May, 1865, and in Dept. of the South until August, 1865. Mustered out August 27, 1865.

 

 

The Last Gun on the Hill

 

The day was drawing to a close, all nature seemed to rest;
The sun that in her glory rose, was sinking in the West.
Her smiles that cheered us through the day were lingering with us still;
and shed a beam of glory on
The Last Gun on the Hill.

But hark! I hear the tramp of feet, and cries rise loud and long- "To arms! To arms!
The foe, they come, at least twelve hundred strong!"
Forth sprang that hardy little band with freeman's sturdy wil.
And an iron welcome sent the foe, from
The Last Gun on the Hill.

Thus bravely stood that little band of scarce three hundred men, while the Stars and Stripes were waving high above that gallant band:
And still the cry rings loud and high, "The foe's advancing still".
May God protect the gallant men, with The Last Gun on the Hill.

But fiercer rings our Gun again, and faster fly our shell. And bursting fast among
the foe rings forth their funeral knell, their broken columns reel before the thickening shot and shell.
They falter, halt, retreat, Hurrah! For The Last Gun on the Hill.

For three long weary days and nights, we held the foe at bay; in silence stood we by our gun nor rested night and day.
And many a fair maid of the South now waits and watches still,
For those who fell neath the shot and shell
Of The Last Gun on the Hill.

       Curtis C. Morgan - Battery I