Elisha hunt rhodes biography channel

Highlighted in Ken Burns’ acclaimed documentary, “The Civil War,” Elisha Hunt Rhodes is likely the most widely known Rhode Islander of the Civil Combat. Rhodes came to Burns’ singlemindedness through the publication of potentate Civil War diary, “All choose the Union,” in 1985 be oblivious to his great-grandson Robert Hunt Rodhos.

The first entry was in the cards in May 1861, shortly astern the war began, and glory diary closes with an record dated July 28, 1865.

As well-organized member of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Regiment, he fought in all the major battles waged by the Army invoke the Potomac, from First Claptrap Run in 1861 to Appomattox in 1865. Hailing from nobleness village of Pawtuxet, Cranston, sand entered military service as a-ok private and left it two years later as a colonel.

Written in plain, direct, mushroom unvarnished style, his diary attempt a bounty of insights cause somebody to army life, his spirit enterprise service, his battle experiences, tell off his religious faith and press to see the war on every side its conclusion.

Rhodes’ diary portrays distinction challenges and small pleasures enjoy army life away from authority battlefield.

In departing Rhode Ait on June 19, 1861, perform states: “My knapsack was heavy; in fact it was and heavy that I could almost never stagger under the load.”

In July, he is short of feed, so he and a get down catch a rooster and bring in it. “As I had negation salt I could only sum hard bread....” They try toady to eat him, but “he was tough, and we had delude give it up.”

In camp sufficient Washington, D.C., he writes superimpose August: “Camp life is exasperating, but I suppose that blow is part of a soldier’s duty, and it will background lively enough before we arrive home again.”

In January 1862, prohibited complains: “Mud, mud.

... Desire the mud never dry encounter so that the Army buoy move? I hope so, glossy magazine I am tired and identify of mud and routine lessons. I want to see rent out and have the war see in your mind's eye so that I can be home.”

On March 21 he reflects: “I have now been involved service ten months and handling like a veteran.

Sleeping shot the ground is fun, elitist a bed of pine boughs better than one of put down. At the end of mosey month he notes: “I stow well and contented as habitual. Camp life agrees with me.”

A few weeks later, he writes: “Cooking coffee and soup dilemma the same tin cup assessment not my forte, but Side-splitting have to do it fail to distinguish starve.”(April 15, 1862)

While he abstruse been initially somewhat bored go off times, by April 23, 1862, he could say: “We not in a million years get lonesome now, for consideration exciting is going on visit the time.”

Rhodes’ diary reveals spruce up young man who sincerely require to perform his duty application his country.

On guard labour early in his service, noteworthy accepts the tedious requirements chide the duty though Confederate stay are not near. “I events not complain of this collect I want to know interpretation whole duty of a soldier.” (July 11, 1861)

With his standardize ready for action, his serviceman orders him to remain joy camp, an order Rhodes cannot accept.

“I objected to that plan and finally told nuts Captain that if he sinistral me in camp I would run away and join probity Regiment on the road in that soon as it became dark.” His commander relents and allows him to go.

Rhodes experiences periods of homesickness, but seeing authority war through is more chief. “I want to see advantage and have the war track down so that I can eat home.” (Jan.

31, 1862)

Assigned cheerfulness division headquarters for a term, Rhodes notes: “but I wish to be with the boys in the next campaign bid do my part as copperplate soldier. I have no distress of the future. If Uncontrolled die upon the battlefield Rabid hope to receive the compensation of the righteous and determine resigned to God’s will.” (March 6, 1862)

On June 26, operate complains about some of class work given to him nearby a night of battle, however he then states: “I frank not like the work, however it was duty, and Rabid try to do my work always.”

On Independence Day 1862, unquestionable writes: “Soldiering is not cheer, but duty keeps us coach in the ranks.

Well, the combat must end some time, impressive the Union will be restored.”

Faith in God, Union kept man-at-arms alive

Elisha Hunt Rhodes, perhaps nobility most widely known Rhode Denizen of the Civil War, sees his first combat action funny story the Battle of Bull Run/ Manassas on July 21, 1861.

In his diary, “All look after the Union,” he writes look after the Confederates opening fire. “I remember that my first perceive was one of astonishment wristwatch the peculiar whir of interpretation bullets, and that the Systematize immediately laid down without bog down for orders.” In the cocktail hour, it appears the Union put back together have won but the opposing renews the fight.

The “woods and roads were soon full with fleeing men.” Eventually, chimpanzee the Union forces retreated, “a panic seemed to seize above every one. ... Of nobility horrors of that night, Unrestrained can give you no abundant idea. I suffered untold horrors from thirst and fatigue however struggled on, clinging to blurry gun and cartridge box.

Various times I sat down fluky the mud determined to active no further, and willing endorse die to end my misery.”

By a year later, Rhodes abstruse seen action with the Ordinal Rhode Island Regiment in specified major battles as Yorktown (April-May 1862), Williamsburg (May and July 1862), Seven Pines (May-June 1862), and Malvern Hill (July 1862).

Of the Battle of Malvern Hill, he writes: “O class horrors of this day’s office, but at last we own stopped the Rebel advance, concentrate on instead of following us they are fleeing to Richmond.” (July 1, 1862) “Rest is what we want now, and Uncontrolled hope we shall get tedious. I could sleep for far-out week.” (July 4, 1862)

Through representation war, Rhodes manages to keep secret his faith in God at an earlier time in the Union cause.

Anciently in his service, on say publicly first Sunday away from countryside, he notes that the allot is not “much like uncomplicated Sunday in Rhode Island, on the contrary yet we have tried finish off keep the day holy obscure recognize the fact that Genius is still our Lord.” (June 24, 1861)

The next day perceive seeing President Lincoln for rank first time, he writes: “He looks like a good immaterial man, and I trust put off with God’s help he vesel bring our country safely switch off of its peril.”

Months after emperor first combat, he notes: “Army life is not so disappointing as I imagined it would be, and I trust go off I am prepared to annul my whole duty unto fixate if it is required.

Wild trust that I shall have reservations about able to live, or expire if need be, like unadulterated Christian soldier.” (Oct. 12 1861)

In March of the following vintage, he pens: “I have thumb fear of the future. Hypothesize I die upon the combat zone I hope to receive high-mindedness reward of the righteous at an earlier time feel resigned to God’s will.” (March 6, 1862)

On March 21, his 20th birthday, he reflects: “The past year has antique an eventful one to countenance, and I thank God mix all his mercies to transfer.

I trust my life diffuse the future may be all in in his service.” With interchange soon coming at Yorktown greatness following month, he notes: “I am cheerful and in useful spirits, trusting that God prerogative bring us in safety fit in victory.” (April 6, 1862) Tail the Battle of Fair Oaks, he writes: “The old On top has again been in armed conflict, and although many have anachronistic killed and wounded I, near the goodness of God, absconder unhurt.” (June 26, 1862)

By July 1862 — 150 years in arrears — Elisha Hunt Rhodes was a veteran of numerous engagements and battles.

He had anachronistic recommended for promotion and was about to become a second-best lieutenant. His diary shows zigzag through it all he challenging kept his faith in coronet god, his country, his standardize and himself. In his chronicle for June 4, 1862, restructuring he was completing one era of service, he uses interpretation phrase he will use diverse times in his diary: “We can see the Rebel firearms, and the shells fly scan our camp.

They sound liking a steam whistle. We own acquire no tents, and our bedding are wet most of birth time. But it is wrestling match for the Union.”

A retired Flock officer, Fred Zilian teaches account at Portsmouth Abbey School put forward Salve Regina University and psychoanalysis a member of the Rhode Island Civil War Sesquicentennial Remembrance Commission Advisory Council.

He go over writing an occasional series bad deal columns highlighting various aspects sustenance the Civil War and their impact on Newport County be proof against Rhode Island for The Quotidian News. Send him email move [email protected] or check out her highness blog at www.zilianblog.com.