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1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery G

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Organized at Providence December, 1861.1
Muster Out: Mustered out June 24, 1865.2

Commander(s):
Brevet Major George W. Adams
Commander Image

Commander 2
Commander Image

Commander 3
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Artillery Brigade | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army3,4

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Artillery Brigade | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army 5,6

  • Commander: Captain George W. Adams (June 30, 1864)7
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Artillery Brigade | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army8

  • Commander: Captain George W. Adams (July 31, 1864)9
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The artillery batteries which remained with the Sixth Corps moved to City Point, Va. and embarked for Washington D.C. on July 10, 1864.10,11

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • No longer present at the Siege of Petersburg.12

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • No longer present at the Siege of Petersburg.13

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • No longer present at the Siege of Petersburg.14

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Artillery Brigade | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (late December 1864) (Need source)

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Absorbed Battery “C,” 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, December 23, 1864 in Washington, D.C.15
  • Note: Moved to Washington, D.C., and refit, thence moved to Petersburg, Va. in (late?) December, 1864.16

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Artillery Brigade | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (need source for January 1865, but definitely by February 28, 1865)17

  • Commander: Brevet Major George W. Adams (February 28, 1865)18
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery G is not listed in the orders of battle for Sixth Corps for December 1864 or January 1865 in the Official Records, first showing up in February 1865.  However, other sources indicate the battery had arrived as early as December 26, 1864.  More research is needed to determine the whereabouts and placement of this battery in January 1865.

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Artillery Brigade | VI Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army19,20

  • Commander: Brevet Major George W. Adams (March 31, 1865)21
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles22:

  • Before Petersburg June 17-18.
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16-July 9.
  • Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23.
  • Moved to Washington, D.C., July 9-12.
  • …away…
  • Moved to Washington, D.C., and refit, thence moved to Petersburg, Va.
  • Siege of Petersburg December, 1864, to April, 1865.
  • Fort Fisher, Petersburg, March 25, 1865.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Pursuit of Lee April 3-9.
  • Sailor’s Creek April 6.
  • High Bridge and Farmville April 7.
  • Appomattox C. H. April 9.
  • Surrender of Lee and his army.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    3. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 228
    4. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 548
    5. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 228
    6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 548
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 548
    8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 258
    9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XXVII, Part 2 (Serial Number 71), page 551
    10. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 258
    11. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    12. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    13. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    14. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    15. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    16. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 744: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 744: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 572: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 588: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865”
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 572: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    22. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    { 1 comment… add one }
    • George W Potter October 16, 2015, 10:26 am

      My Great Great Grandfather, George W. Potter, was a member of this unit and recieved, along with 17 other members, the Congressional M O H for his actions at the Battle of Petersburg. This is a book written by Robert Grandchamp about this unit and their heroic actions at the Battle of Petersburg. ( The Boys of Battery G, The Civil War Through The Eyes Of A Union Light Artillery Unit By Robert Grandchamp ) This book can provide you with a wealth of information regarding this unit.

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