The following letter was written by Martin Stoddard James (1841-1910), the son of John M. James (1816-1853) and Eunice Albee White (1813-1881) of Providence, Rhode Island.

20 year-old Martin was mustered into service on 20 August 1861 and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. A of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. He was appointed post adjutant in January 1862 and was placed on detached service on General Terry’s staff until August 1863. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in late December 1862 and to Captain of Co. C in November 1863. A biographical sketch claims that he took part in the engagements at Pocotaligo, Morris Island, Fort Sumter, Fort Wagner, Olustee, Drury’s Bluff, Laurel Hill, Fort Burnham, and Petersburg. In the last five engagements, Co. C was the only battery present of the regiment. He is further credited with leading the dismantling of the rebel works around Richmond after the city fell. His only wound came at Laurel Hill where he received a hip wound.

A Note from the Siege of Petersburg Online: This unit is incorrectly designated as Battery C of the Third Rhode Island “Light” Artillery in the June organizational tables in the Official Records and possibly elsewhere, but there was no 3rd Regiment of Light Artillery for the state of Rhode Island.  The correct designation is Battery C of the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery.  It would appear from the official report of operations on October 7, 1864, linked to near the bottom of this page, that company C was acting as light artillery.  The designation used in the report is “Light Company C, 3rd Rhode Island Artillery.”

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

Headquarters Light Battery C, 3rd Rhode Island Artillery
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
December 16th 1863

Col. E. Metcalf
Commanding 3rd Rhode Island Artillery

Sir, on the 5th inst. I reported to you by letter the loss of three of my company. I have understood that it was not received so I have made an official report to Lieut. Gorton. I have this very day succeeded in getting the Battery fully equipped. The men are all supplied with clothing. I have drawn red saddle blankets for the entire battery which will improve the appearance very much. I have had the harnesses all cleaned and oiled, new nose bags, &c. &c.

The battery is to be inspected next Saturday and I expect to make a fine appearance. I shall make application for the appointment of new non-commissioned officers soon.

I was delayed by the storm at Hilton Head until Monday night. Had I anticipated staying so long, I should have visited Fort Pulaski with Major Metcalf. I was very successful in drawing ordnance stores. Everything proved to be of an excellent quality.

I should be very happy to parade my battery for your inspection, should you visit this vicinity. I hope you will not slight Light Co. C.

With great respect, I am your obedient servant, — Martin S. James, Capt. 3rd Rhode Island Artillery, Commanding Light Co. C.