Life of a Union Soldier

In the words of Elisha Hunt Rhodes

 

 

Elisha Hunt Rhodes was a Union soldier who, along with Sam Watkins, was featured frequently in PBS’s The Civil War.  He is frequently quoted also in the accompanying book, authored by Geoffrey C. Ward, Ken Burns, and Ric Burns, and published by Alfred A. Knopf, Publisher (New York, 1990, 2000).  Rhodes’ diary was also edited in 1985 by his great-grandson, Robert Hunt Rhodes, and published as All For the Union:  The Civil War Diary and Letters of Elisha Hunt Rhodes. (Orion Books, New York).

 

 

On enlisting in the Union Army (1861)

 

On June 5, Elisha Hunt Rhodes, age nineteen, the son of a Yankee sea captain, left his job as a harness-maker’s clerk in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, and joined the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers.  He would have joined earlier had his widowed mother not begged him to stay home.

 

“Sunday was a sorrowful one at our home,” he recalled, “My mother went about with tears in her eyes, while I felt disappointment that I could not express and therefore nursed my sorrow in silence.”  Finally, she came to his room after he had gone to bed, and “with a spirit worthy of a Spartan mother of old said, “My son, other mothers must make sacrifices and why should not I?  If you feel that it is your duty to enlist, I will give my consent.”

 

The following morning, Rhodes and his best friend from school were waiting on the steps of the Providence armory two hours before the recruiting office opened for business.  Rhodes signed on as a private.

 

“We drilled all day and night,” he confided to the diary he began to keep.  “Standing before a long mirror, I put in many hours of weary work and soon thought myself quite a soldier… I was elected First Sergeant, much to my surprise.  Just what a First Sergeant’s duties might be, I had no idea.”

 

Two weeks later, the 2nd Rhode Island moved toward the war.

 

“Today,” Rhodes wrote, “We have orders to pack up and be ready to leave… for Washington… My knapsack was so heavy that I could scarcely stagger under the load.  At the wharf, an immense crowd had gathered and we went on board our steamer with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow.”

 

(From The Civil War, page 50)

 

Upon arriving in Washington, D.C.:

 

“Hurrah! we are in Washington, and what a city!” wrote Elisha Rhodes after the 2nd Rhode Island arrived.  “Mud, pigs, Negroes, palaces, shanties everywhere.”  “Today we brushed up… and were reviewed by the President.  As we passed the White House I had my first view of Abraham Lincoln.  He looks like a good, honest man, and I trust that with God’s help, he can bring our country safely out of its peril.”

 

(Civil War, page 57)

 

Regarding the Battle of Bull Run:

 

“On reaching a clearing separated from our left flank by a rail fence, we were saluted by a volley of musketry, which, however, was fired so high that all the bullets went over our heads… My first sensation was… astonishment at the peculiar whir of the bullets, and that the Regiment immediately laid down without waiting for orders.  Colonel Slocum gave the command:  “By the left flank—march” and we commenced crossing the field.  One of our boys by the name of Webb fell off the fence, and broke his bayonet.  This caused some amusement, for even at this time we did not realize that we were about to engage in battle.”

 

(Civil War, page 65-66)

 

Later in the Battle of Bull Run:

 

“I… struggled on, clinging to my gun and cartridge box.  Many times I sat down in the mud determined to go no further, and willing to die to end my misery.  But soon a friend would pass and urge me to make another effort, and I would stagger a mile further.  At daylight we could see the spires of Washington, and a welcome sight it was… The loss of the regiment in this disastrous affair was ninety three killed, wounded or missing.”

 

(Civil War, page 68)

 

During the Peninsular Campaign:

 

“The field presented a horrible appearance, and in one small spot I counted sixty dead bodies… Thank God for this victory and may we have many to end the war.”

 

(Civil War 133)

 

Regarding the end of 1862:

 

“December 31.  Well, the year 1862 is drawing to a close.  As I look back I am bewildered when I think about the hundreds of miles I have tramped, the thousands of dead and wounded I have seen… The year has not amounted to much as far as the War is concerned, but we hope for the best and feel sure that in the end, the Union will be restored.  Goodbye, 1862.”

 

 

(Civil War, page 177)

 

On the Battle of Fredericksburg:

 

“We had nearly two hundred cannon in position,”  “The roar was tremendous. [As we crossed] the air was full with shot and shell flying over our heads into Fredericksburg.  The rebels did not often reply but would at times land a shot over on our side.”

 

(Civil War, page 169)

 

At the Battle of Gettysburg:

 

“A shell burst over our heads, immediately followed by showers of iron… Most of the shells that came over the hill struck in the road on which our Brigade was moving.  Solid shot [split boulders] as if exploded by gunpowder.  The flying iron and pieces of stone struck some men down in every direction… About 30 men of our Brigade were killed or wounded.”

 

(Civil War, page 227)

 

Upon word of Lee’s Surrender (1865):

 

“Sunday, April 9, 1865.  Near Appomattox Court House, Va.  Glory to God in the highest.  Peace on Earth, good will to men!  Thank God Lee has surrendered, and the war will soon end… Some time in the afternoon we heard loud cheering at the front, and soon Major General Meade commanding the Army of the Potomac rode like mad down the road with his hat off shouting: ‘the war is over and we are going home!’  Such a scene happens once in centuries…. I cried and laughed by turns.  I was never so happy in my life.”

 

(Civil War, page 380)

 

Upon hearing of Lincoln’s assassination:

 

“Saturday, April 15.  We are having a rainy day… but I have my tent pitched and so feel quite comfortable.  Mr. Miller is reading to pass away the time. 

 

Bad news has just arrived.  Corporal Thomas Parker has just told Mr. Miller that President Lincoln was dead, murdered…. It seems that a man by the name of Booth shot him with a pistol while at the theatre last night.  We cannot realize that our President is dead.”

 

(Civil War, page 386)

 

At news of General Johnston’s surrender:

 

“April 28.  We have just received news that Johnston has at last surrendered and all our batteries are firing salutes.  This is good news and the war is certainly over… The roads were full of [Negroes] laughing and grinning.   Of course we told them that they were free, but their masters would not believe it.  At one place, the overseers ordered the Negroes to go to work, and they refused.  Some… came over to my camp for advice.  When they returned they offered to work if paid for their labor.  I do not know how the matter ended.

 

(Civil War, page 393)