DOB/DOD: April 8, 1841 (Griswold, CT) – October 29, 1897 (South Kingstown, RI); 56 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Phebe E. Gould (1845-1900).
CHILDREN: Six sons, Alexander G. (1866-1869), William T. (1870-1956), James H. (1873-1919), John D. (1878-1903), Elmer E. (1880-1919), and Harry W. (1883-1912).
CHILDREN: Two daughters, Abby L. (1868-1869) and Carrie A. (1875-1907).
ENLISTMENT: June 5, 1861, in South Kingston, Rhode Island.
DISCHARGE: Mustered out on July 13, 1865, at Hall’s Hill, Virginia.
FAMILY: Born to Gideon (1801-1877) and Caroline D. Carter Babcock (1803-1883). Five brothers, John (1825-1914), Alexander (1828-1873), Samuel G. (1835-1835), Charles H. (1836-1875), and Albert (1842-1898). Two sisters, Sarah C. Babcock Gallagher (1832-1907) and Abbie A. Babcock Barnes (1840-1865).
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Civil War
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Army
UNIT: 2nd Rhode Island Infantry
DATE OF ISSUE AND PRESENTATION: March 2, 1895 (30 years later)
AGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT: 23
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant William J. Babcock, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 April 1865, while serving with the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, in action at Petersburg, Virginia. Sergeant Babcock planted the flag upon the parapet while the enemy still occupied the line; he was the first of his regiment to enter the works.
The Third Battle of Petersburg
With the Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1st, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and Major General George Meade ordered a general assault against the Petersburg lines by the Second, Ninth, Sixth, and Twenty-Fourth Corps on April 2nd. In the pre-dawn darkness, the Union infantry achieved a breakthrough when Major Gen. Horatio G. Wright’s advancing Sixth Corps breached Confederate lines held by Lieutenant General A. P. Hill. Attempting to reach his men, Hill was killed in the ensuing. Confederate infantry pulled back to Forts Gregg and Whitworth as Major Gen. John Gibbon’s Twenty Fourth Corps entered the fight, with Brigadier General William Birney’s United States Colored Troops (USCT) division in reserve. The Confederates managed to delay Gibbon’s advance at Fort Gregg and prevent the Federals from entering Petersburg that evening. Wright’s breakthrough and the subsequent follow-up troops surged north and severed the South Side Railroad near Petersburg. The Union Army now had access to the Appomattox River and were free to cross the next day to threaten Lee’s communications on the north side of the river. After dark, Lee informed President Jefferson Davis that he could “hold his position no longer” and that Petersburg and Richmond must be evacuated. Grant had finally achieved one of the major military objectives of the war: the capture of Petersburg, which led directly to the loss of the Confederate capital at Richmond, which finally fell on April 3rd. (battelefields.org)
Narrative of William Babcock’s service contributed by Nathaniel Babcock, 5th cousin, five times removed, used with permission.
Prior to these heroic actions, he enlisted on June 5, 1861, as a private, where he would fight in the battles of First Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Oak Grove, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Wilderness Campaign (where he was shot just below the left knee and promoted for heroic actions to sergeant) then the siege of Petersburg. On April 2, 1864, Sergeant William J. Babcock and a small group of men from Company E rushed ahead of the main unit to a fortified battery position held by the 33rd North Carolina Infantry. Sergeant Babcock reached the enemy breastworks and, armed only with the American flag, planted the colors into the enemy parapet, confusing rebel defenders who soon retreated to another battery, and once his fellow troops from Company E arrived, he helped rush three more batteries and assisted in turning the batteries on other Confederate troops that had attempted to recapture the position.
From The Phoenix (Bristol, Rhode Island) on March 1, 1895
The gallant services of a Rhode Island man at Petersburg, Virginia, April 2nd, 1865, have been rewarded by a Medal of Honor presented by the President this week. William J. Babcock, late Sergeant of Company E, 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, now residing in Wakefield, was “first in the enemy’s works,” but it has taken 30 years for the recognition to come.
From The Providence Evening Bulletin October 30, 1897
DISTINGUISHED VETERAN DEAD
Congress Awarded a Medal to William J. Babcock of Wakefield
William J. Babcock, who died in Wakefield, South Kingstown, Friday after a lingering illness, aged 56 years, was a veteran of the War and, by a vote of Congress, was awarded a medal for gallant conduct in front of Petersburg, Virginia, on April 2, 1865.
The deceased, who was a son of Gideon Babcock, was born in Griswold, Connecticut, in 1842, but when very young, he moved with his parents to South Kingstown, which town he had since made his home. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, Babcock, with three companions, Elisha Whitford,
E. Yoste and John G. Grinnell, the last of whom was killed in battle, enlisted June 6, 1861, in Company E, 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, for three years, and on the 14th of November 1862, were promoted to Corporal. The deceased participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged and, on December 25, 1861, was discharged on account of the expiration of the term of his enlistment, but the next day, December 26th, Babcock re-enlisted for the war, and in the reformation of the old regiment was assigned to Company B and promoted to Color Sergeant. At the taking of the Confederate works at Petersburg, Babcock, bearing aloft the national colors and closely followed by Sergeant Thomas Parker, carrying the State flag and color guard, Private Maurice O’Hearne, was one of the first of the Union forces to mount the parapet of the enemy’s works, and the first to plant Old Glory over the captured fort. For this gallant conduct, Babcock and his two companions were mentioned in the regimental dispatch to headquarters, and later Congress voted each a medal. The two other men received their memento many years ago, but Babcock, who, like many truly brave men, was of a retiring disposition, could not be induced to ask the War Department for his badge of bravery under fire until early in 1895, 30 years from the time he was discharged.
There is another act of possibly even greater heroism told of Sergeant Babcock by his comrades when, by the cool pluck of the deceased, the battle-worn flag of the 2nd Regiment closely engaged with the Confederates, was forced hastily to change its position, and during the confusion incident to such a maneuver it was not at first noticed that the Color Sergeant had disappeared from view. As nothing was seen of him upon the reformation of the line, it was feared that the faithful soldier had been seriously wounded or had, at last, met his fate, but as the old position was almost within the lines of the opposing troops, it was practically impossible to return in search of the missing color sergeant. Somewhat later, the entire command was made happy by seeing the color bearer walk in with the prized emblem of Liberty still in his possession. Although often questioned as to how he escaped capture, all that could be learned from him was that he was knocked down by a spent shot and, while lying on the ground, was seen by one or more of the Confederates who demanded that he upon pain of death, instantly surrender the flag, which he had still firmly grasped in his hands. This request Sergeant Babcock refused to accede to, and by strategy or other method, he succeeded in making his escape in safety with the flag that had first been Planted on the breastworks of Petersburg.
The deceased was married when at home on furlough to Miss Phebe Esther Gould of North Stonington, Connecticut, by Elder Joseph Taylor of the Christian Church of that borough. He had eight children, six of whom are now alive. His widow is an invalid, having sustained a paralytic stroke some months ago, which seriously affected her left side, rendering her limbs almost powerless. The deceased, besides being a brave soldier, was a citizen whom all his fellows loved and respected, and his loss will be much regretted.
The funeral will take place from G.A.R. Hall under the direction of the Sedgwick Post, of which the sergeant was a member, on Sunday at 2 p.m. The remains will be taken from his late residence to the hall at 1:20 p.m. under the escort of the Grand Army. The services will be after the form of the Episcopal Church, supplemented by the Grand Army ritual.
From an unknown newspaper or magazine. An article by Richard Katula and Charles Hathaway titled “Sergeant William J. Babcock; Civil War Hero from South Kingstown.”
The Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded by the President, in the name of Congress, to an individual who has “distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” There were 16 Medal of Honor recipients from Rhode Island in the Civil War. Only one of these men was from South Kingstown: SERGEANT WILLIAM J. BABCOCK. This is his story.
The Civil War became a reality for most Americans with the shock of the bombardment on Fort Sumter. Thousands of Rhode Islanders answered that call to arms. During the next four years, all would suffer, and many would die. June 6, 1861, 20-year-old Bill Babcock left his Pond Street address in South Kingstown to enlist in the Union Army. His reasons for taking arms are not recorded, and only one person is still alive who knew William personally: his daughter-in-law, Amy Babcock. Now in her 94th year, Mrs. Babcock is still adamant in her belief that William enlisted because he was, above all else, a patriot. In Amy’s words: “He wanted to serve in the cause of the Union.’’
Traveling to Providence, William enlisted in Company E, 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, one of the most famous of all army corps. Not long after, the Regiment received its first assignment to Camp Sprague, near Washington, D.C. After being reviewed by President Lincoln, the troops were marched into the first battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1863.
At Bull Run, the regiment suffered heavy losses. Countless others were wounded and captured. Defeat often breeds determination, however, and so from March 1862 until April 1865, the now battle-wise troops fought like men possessed in some of the most memorable of Civil War engagements, including Antietam (which some say was the most sanguinary of all Civil War battles), Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Winchester, Petersburg, and Sailor’s Creed. General George Meade directed that the names of 19 major battles be inscribed on the Regiment’s colors.
At the Battle of Wilderness, Virginia, in May 1864, the now Corporal Babcock was wounded in the left leg, below the knee. This injury, coupled with debilitating rheumatism he contracted from sleeping on cold, wet ground, was cause for great pain to the young infantryman. Nevertheless, he fought on.
Four months later, Babcock’s wounds had somewhat healed. The 2nd Rhode Island was camped near Petersburg, Virginia, celebrating a day of acclamation given to them by the people of Rhode Island. A banner had been presented to the soldiers. Babcock’s bravery led to promotion to Sergeant and being selected standard bearer for the ceremony. For three months, the soldiers of the 2nd Rhode Island languished near Petersburg. Diaries of the men record the grim, daily existence in the mud, hail, and rain of the Virginia winter. The majority could feel only the penetrating loneliness of war.
Preparation for a grand assault on the heavily fortified Confederate cities of Petersburg and Richmond had been in the works for some time. Daily rumors only added to the miseries. Petersburg was going to be Hell. April drew nearer, and the rumors of battle grew stronger.
Finally, at about 4:00 a.m. on April 2, 1865, the 2nd Rhode Island was brigaded with several other units in front of Fort Fisher, near Petersburg. The men knew that the time had come. Colonel Rhodes recorded in his diary the general feeling of the men at that moment; “Still packed up for the move, with orders to be ready to attack at a moment’s notice. The enemy is evidently expecting some movement on our part, for their pickets are on alert and have already started the boys to the top of the hill to reload the pieces there and get them in position. Private Railton did not seem inclined to leave but went to work to load the piece, which he did, to the muzzle with stones, iron, etc., which were lying around. The enemy was advancing, closing en masse – so I said to him, “Come, the Johnnies are coming. Let’s get up and keep the earthwork, anyway.” The only reply was, “Be they? If they come here, I’ll make them smell – well, brimstone.” I stood and watched him, and then, when the enemy’s line was not over thirty feet away, he touched off the gun, which blew into a thousand pieces, but such destruction of life I never saw, before or since. It broke their lines, and they were not reformed.’’
With the combined actions of men like Babcock and Railton, the Battle of Petersburg was over by the end of the day, and the Union Army was one giant but a bloody step closer to Appomattox. The 2nd Rhode Island again suffered heavy casualties. Their work was not yet complete. In fact, the regiment was not even permitted to visit Petersburg. Instead, they turned in pursuit of the Northern Army of Virginia, fighting off another vicious rebel stand at Sailor’s Creek, finally ending up at Appomattox, where they were mustered out.
From The Evening Bulletin (Providence, Rhode Island) March 4, 1895
FOR BRAVERY IN THE WAR
Sergeant Babcock Receives a Medal for Gallant Conduct
FIRST INSIDE ENEMY’S WORKS AT PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA
Recommended for the Honor after the Close of the War, but Did Not Apply Until Recently – Sergeant Babcock is a Resident of Wakefield
William J. Babcock of Wakefield has just received from the War Department a Medal of Honor for conspicuous bravery at the storming of Petersburg, Virginia, on April 3, 1865, while color sergeant of Company B, 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Elisha H. Rhodes. Sergeant Babcock, who had been promoted from the ranks for his bravery at the Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864, was the first man to plant a Union flag on the fortifications of Petersburg and one of the first in the works. He was recommended by Colonel Rhodes in dispatches after the battle for a Medal of Honor but did not apply for it until recently when it was sent to him.
Sergeant Babcock went to the front with the regiment in 1861, enlisting June 6th and being mustered on the same day, originally serving in Company E under the old organization. On November 14, 1862, he was promoted to Corporal, and on December 25, 1863, discharged, his term of enlistment having expired. He re-enlisted the next day, December 26, as a veteran volunteer. From February to April 1864, he was absent on furlough, this privilege being given to re-enlisted veteran volunteers. He was promoted to Sergeant in February 1865 and mustered out of the service on July 13, 1865.
Such is Sergeant Babcock’s career, as given in the war records. As told by his old comrades of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, it is another story. He made a name for himself as a conspicuously brave and daring soldier and was, for his bravery, given charge of the United States flag, always known as the colors, a distinction from the State flag, which was borne by Color Sergeant Thomas Parker, who afterward served in the regular army.
The 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers formed a part of the old Brigade, 1st Division of the 6th Army Corps, and was stationed about three miles from the city of Petersburg proper.
The Rhode Island troops were a part of that long blue line that, commencing near the mouth of the Appomattox River, stretched a distance of 45 miles around the rebel works to where Butler’s army was located, at Bermuda Hundred, the morning of the 2nd of April, 1865, when the final and successful assault was made on the rebel defenses, was foggy. The dense mist settled down until it seemed as if it could be cut up into chunks, and men a few feet apart were hidden from each other by a dense, impenetrable curtain of fog. Preparations for the assault were made silently, and every precaution was taken to avoid alarming the enemy. The men packed their tin cups in their knapsacks to prevent any rattle, and orders were given to take the caps off the guns to prevent any premature discharge. The assault was to be made at the break of day, and the soldiers knew it would be a desperate one.
While the army was awaiting in silence the coming of the sun to give the signal for battle and alter all preparations had been made without alarming the rebel pickets, a mule loaded with camp equipage broke loose and ran straight for the rebel lines. The rebel picket line, thinking that they were being charged, fired at the animal and awakened the men in the forts, who prepared for an attack. At this moment, the signal for the charge was made, and the line of blue started forward. The Rhode Island men advanced from Fort Fisher and, more fortunate than the others, found an old cart path that led through the abattis into the rebel lines. On either side of the road stretched a line of trees, felled with the branches pointing out, and the other regiments were delayed until their pioneers could clear space with axes. In the road was very little obstruction, and the regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes, went through on the run. Beyond this was the glacis of a rebel fort, mounting four guns which, in the hands of the rebel gunners, were casting death broadcast on the slope.
On the regiment went with the flags and their commander in the lead, and up the incline, they climbed until suddenly the ground opened before them, and they poured down into a deep and wide ditch before the parapet. Those who led the charge were, for a moment, buried under the mass that followed, and one of the survivors said that it seemed as if a thousand men must have fallen on him before he could extricate himself from the pile and start for the rebel works. Quickly, the men got on their feet again and, always led by the flags, climbed the aides of the ditch and the steep parapet of the fort. The earth, usually hard and so firm as to afford little or no foothold, had been softened by the rains of the day before, and by digging their heels in, the soldiers were able to climb out of the ditch and up the parapet into the fort which they carried.
All through the advance, Sergeant Babcock, bearing the new colors presented to the regiment a short time before, had been at the head of the column, and he was one of the first men on the parapet of the rebel fort, where he planted the stars and stripes, the first Union flag in the works of Petersburg. With him were Color Sergeant Thomas Parker, with the flag of the State of Rhode Island, and Private Maurice O’Hearn. All three men were recommended in dispatches the next day, and Parker received his Medal of Honor some time ago. O’Hearn has been dead for a number of years. Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes, who was one of the first in the fort and who displayed great gallantry all through the assault, was for his conduct promoted to Colonel.
Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes’s recommendation that these three men receive a Medal of Honor was endorsed by General Oliver Edwards, commanding the 3rd Brigade, and by General Frank Wheaton, commanding the 1st Division.
Sergeant Parker afterward applied for and received his medal, but Sergeant Babcock, who for his conduct was commissioned a Second Lieutenant but never mustered in because of the sudden ending of the war, did not ask for his and did not get it.
At the reunion of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Veteran Association at Wakefield last summer, he spoke to his old comrades about the matter and was advised to write to Washington. This he did recently, and his letter was referred to General Rhodes, who returned it with the desired recommendation. As a result, Sergeant Babcock is now in possession of the medal, which he earned for his bravery 30 years ago.
Buried in Riverside Cemetery, Cemetery Lane, South Kingstown, Rhode Island; Section A. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
END