Give them tomorrow morning what Paddy gave the drum, a good beating.” Edwards took me by the hand and said: “God bless you, Colonel. It was a solemn gathering, and as I left Gen. We were told that we must succeed, as to fail would endanger the whole Army. Last night the Regimental commanders were ordered to Brigade Headquarters, and we received our final orders. Thank God Petersburg has fallen or at least must be evacuated tonight. Many of them I have promoted from the ranks and feel for a boy of twenty-three a fatherly interest in them. It was unnecessary with such men, but as I am on the best of terms with them all I felt that a word of encouragement could do no harm. I have had my officers meet, and I have talked the situation over with them and urged them to do their duty. We get no news at all, but every officer looks anxious. The strain on our nerves is great, and I feel that the sooner the suspense is ended the better.

My men are very quiet, and I feel confident that they will sustain the good name of the 2nd R.I. The enemy evidently are expecting some move on our part, for their pickets are on the alert and heavy firing is kept up. Still ready for the move with orders to be ready to attack at a moment’s notice. Here is the description of the hours prior to the attack and the battle moments from Rhode’s journal.īefore Petersburg Saturday April 1st 1865 On April 2, 1865, the colonel and regiment were part of the Union XI Corps attack launched from Fort Fisher. By the opening days of April 1865, Elisha Hunt Rhodes – who had enlisted as volunteer corporal – promoted to lieutenant colonel, followed by a promotion to brevet colonel for his actions in the assault at Petersburg.

The 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment formed in June 1861 and fought from First Bull Run through the Appomattox Campaign.

All for the Union by Robert Hunt Rhodes