5th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment


HISTORICAL NOTES:

The 5th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment was organized from the 5th Rhode Island Infantry Regiment at New Berne, North Carolina on May 27, 1863, and commanded by Colonel Henry T. Sisson. The regiment was attached to Defenses of New Berne, Department of Virginia and North Carolina until January 1865 when it was reassigned to the Sub-District of New Berne, Department of North Carolina until June 1865.

The regiment served by detachments in garrison in forts and defenses of New Berne, Washington and Roanoke Island, North Carolina. The forts garrisoned by the regiment included forts Totten, Gaston, Chase, Spinola, Hatteras, Clarke, Foster, Parke, Reno and Washington.

The regiment engaged in operations around New Berne against forces commanded by Major General William H.C. Whiting, CSA from January 18-February 10, 1864. Engaged in operations about New Berne and in Albemarle Sound from May 4 to May 6. Elements of the regiment engaged in a skirmish on the south side of the Trent River on May 5, 1864.

The regiment was mustered out of service on June 26, 1865. OFFICERS:

  • Colonel Henry T. Sisson.
    • ASSIGNMENTS:

    Attached to Defenses of New Berne, N. C., Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to January, 1865. Sub-District of New Berne, Dept. of North Carolina, to June, 1865. SERVICE:

    Served as garrison in Forts and Defenses of New Berne, Washington and Roanoke Island, N. C., by Detachments. At Forts Totten, Gaston, Chase, Spinola, Hatteras, Clarke, Foster, Parke, Reno and Washington. Operations about New Berne against Whiting January 18-February 10, 1864. Operations about New Berne and in Albemarle Sound May 4-6. Skirmish, south side of Trent River, May 5, 1864. Mustered out June 26, 1865. ROSTERS:

    The composite rosters of this unit contain the names of 1860 men..

  • Company E - Newport County
  • Company G - Newport County
  • Company H - Newport County
    • BIBLIOGRAPHY:
    Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. Vol. 2. Davenport, IA: Eastern Digital Resources, 1998. Ref. See p. 1222 (1 photocopied page) for a concise summary of the regiment's service.


    REFERENCES:
    Dyer, Frederick H. - A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
    The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1








    For Additional Research