The Fourth Alabama Painting by Don Troiani

Second Brigade, Second Division

Lieutenant Colonel F K Wheaton

Lieutenant Colonel F K Wheaton, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry

Second Rhode Island Infantry

Mustered in United States service for three years on 6 June, 1861, and arrived at Washington D. C. on 22 June, 1861

COLONEL J S SLOCUM
LIEUTENANT COLONEL F K WHEATON
General C T Robbins, lieutenant colonel, was relieved from duty and returned home and Captain F K Wheaton, 1st United States Cavalry, was appointed lieutenat colonel on 14 July, 1861.

MAJOR S BALLOU

Company A: CAPT. C G DYER
Company B: CAPT. J WRIGHT
Company C: CAPT. N VIALL
Company D: CAPT. W H P STEERE
Company E: CAPT. I P RODMAN
Company F: CAPT. C L TOWER
Company G: CAPT. N GOFF, JR.
Company H: CAPT. C W GREENE
Company I: CAPT. S J SMITH
Company K: CAPT. C W TURNER
Unlettered Company Band: Band Leader P Kalkman
The band included twenty-one members, Drum Major J S Potter and Fife Major J H Tennent.

Sources

"Uniforms were issued, consisting of the so-called "Rhode Island blouse," grey pants, and hats looped up at the side."

Personal narratives of the battles of the Rebellion, being papers read before the Rhode Island soldiers and sailors, Historical Society No.1: The first campaign of the Second Rhode Island Infantry, by Elisha H Rhodes

The Second Rhode Island regiment: A narrative of military operations in which the regiment was engaged from the beginning to the end of the war for the Union, by Augustus Woodbury

The Union army: A history of military affairs in the loyal states 1861–65, records of the regiments in the Union army, cyclopedia of battles, memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Volume 1, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware

Notes

The 2nd Rhode Island Infantry was mustered in the service of the United States, at Providence, Rhode Island, for three years on 5 and 6 June, 1861. The regiment and the 2nd Rhode Island Light Artillery were ordered to Washington D. C. on board the steamers Empire State and Kill von Kull, respectively, on 19 June, 1861, and were accompanied by Governor W Sprague (See the 2nd Rhode Island Light Artillery). The 2nd Rhode Island Infantry disembarked at Elizabethport, New Jersey, and arrived at Washington D. C. by railroad on 22 June, 1861. The regiment encamped at Camp Clark, near Gale's Woods, and was ordered across the Potomac River via the Long Bridge, Washington D. C., at 3 PM on 16 July, 1861. The Second Brigade, Second Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, under the command of Colonel A E Burnside, was ordered to proceed along the Columbia Turnpike to Little River Turnpike, near Annandale, Virginia, and encamped at Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia, in the evening on 16 July, 1861. Colonel A E Burnside was ordered to proceed to Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia, via Little River Turnpike, Virginia, on 17 July, 1861, and the 71st New York State Militia, Corps Engineers, and a detachment of the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry with axes were assigned to clear the road for the artillery. The Second Brigade, Second Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, arrived at Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia, at 9 AM on 17 July, 1861, and was ordered Camp Bush, near to Centreville, Virginia, via Germantown, Virginia, in the morning on 18 July, 1861. The 2nd Rhode Island Infantry was ordered to Sudley Ford, Virginia, at 2 AM on 21 July, 1861. After the first battle of Bull Run the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry was ordered to retreat to Centreville, Virginia, and arrived at 9 PM on 21 July, 1861 . The regiment was ordered to return to Camp Clark, near Gale's Woods, Washington D. C., on 22 July, 1861.

The 2nd Rhode Island Infantry was mustered out at Providence, Rhode Island, on 13 July, 1865.

Governor W Sprague requested A E Burnside, formerly a brigadier general, Rhode Island Militia, stationed at New York City, to return to Providence, Rhode Island, and assume command of the 1st Rhode Island Detached Militia on 15 April, 1861. A E Burnside arrived at Providence, Rhode Island, on 16 April, 1861, and was appointed colonel the same day.

The Military District of the Potomac was established on 25 July, 1861 by consolidating the Military District of Washington and the Department of Northeastern Virginia and redesignated the Department of the Potomac on 15 August, 1861. The 2nd Rhode Island Infantry was assigned to Colonel D N Crouch's brigade, Army of the Potomac, on 4 August, 1861.

Report

OFFICIAL REPORT NO.41: Series I, Volume 2 (S# 2), Chapter IX, p. 400
Lieutenant Colonel F Wheaton, Second Rhode Island Infantry