Comrades of Battery A :—The time for the fulfilment of my promise to you, has arrived. The days of our trials, hardships and sufferings are past, and it but remains to memorize the period during which we were battling for the sacred cause of the Union. Although we have not seen the closing contest of this sanguinary strife, yet I feel confident that we have done our share towards securing a good end, and nobly has the old battery sustained the honor and name of Rhode Island. Of all the light bat

Wednesday, June 19, 1861. —Embarkation of the Second Battery on the steamer Kill Von Kull, and of the Second Rhode Island Infantry, on the State of Maine. Early in the morning the tents were struck, everything packed up, order was given to mount, and by nine o’clock we commenced our march through Westminster street; from thence, through South Main street, to India Point, where the steamers lay, and started by about four o’clock in the afternoon. The docks were crowded immensely during the day; t

Wednesday, December 17. —Camp near Falmouth. General Sigel’s reserve corps is camping around Falmouth. Our camp has its usual appearance. It is cold, and snowing. Saturday, December 20. —The troops are building winter-quarters. Wednesday, December 24. —Great inspection in camp, by Generals Sumner, Howard, and Sully, and their staffs. They all expressed their satisfaction with the appearance of the battery. This was the last visit of the venerable hero, General Sumner, to our battery. Friday, Dec

Thursday, January 1. —Camp near Falmouth. The army is very poorly provisioned. Monday, January 5. —A new stable for the battery horses commenced, below the ravine. Tuesday, January 6. —The news of the battle of Murfreesboro arrived. Thursday, January 15. —Our camp was partly burned down to-day, through a fire in the camp of the Thirty-fourth Regiment New York volunteers. Friday, January 16. —A severe storm. Rations are to be cooked for three days. We are kept in uneasiness all the time, about mo

Friday, January 1. —Winter-quarters at Mountain Run. Cold weather. Saturday, January 2. —Many horses die from the cold. Wednesday, January 6. —Cold weather. Thursday, January 7. —Mountain Run. Snow storm. Monday, January 11. —The use of countersigns commenced again from this day. Friday, January 15. —Mounted inspection. Monday, January 18. —Rain. Thursday, January 21. —Mrs. Captain Arnold arrived in camp. Sunday, January 24. —Mounted inspection. Friday, January 29. —Mounted drill before General

Captain William H. Reynolds, promoted to lieutenant colonel at Darnestown, Maryland. First Lieutenant Thomas F. Vaughan, promoted to captain at Point of Rocks, Maryland. First Lieutenant J. Albert Munroe, promoted to captain at Darnestown, Maryland. Second Lieutenant John Tompkins, promoted to captain at Darnestown, Maryland; promoted to major at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Second Lieutenant Wm. B. Weeden, promoted to captain at Point of Rocks, Maryland. Sergeant Major George E. Randolph, promoted