Rocheport, Missouri through Ryan

ROCHEPORT, MISSOURI, June 1, 1863. 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Two companies of this regiment, under Captain Reeves Leonard, came upon a band of guerrillas posted in a pasture on the farm of one Jones 3 miles northeast of Rocheport. Leonard attacked and in 20 minutes had routed and driven the enemy, who had 2 men killed and a number wounded. Rocheport, Missouri, June 18, 1863. Detachment of 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. This affair was a skirmish between 100 guerrillas under Jackman and Rucker and 40 men of the 9th Missouri The Federals were victorious, killing and wounding several of the enemy and routing the remainder. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 745.

ROCHEPORT, MISSOURI, August 28, 1864. Detachment of 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Captain Joseph Parke, with 44 men, crossed the river at Boonville in an expedition against the outlaw Holtzclaw and his men. Four miles from Rocheport 2 of the guerrillas were met, 1 of whom was wounded, and a mile farther on Parke was attacked in the rear by 100 guerrillas. After a fight of 15 minutes the Federals, were compelled to withdraw, leaving 7 dead on the field. In addition to those killed 2 were wounded and 3 missing. Of the killed 4 were scalped and 1 was hanged and scalped. The outlaws had 6 killed and 2 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 745.


ROCHEPORT, MISSOURI, September 3, 1864. Missouri State Militia. Brigadier-General Clinton B. Fisk, commanding the District of North Missouri, reporting from Glasgow under date of September 4, says: "Twelve of the 3d cavalry, Missouri state militia, were surprised and killed near Rocheport yesterday. Major Leonard killed 6 of Anderson's gang, taking from their dead bodies 30 revolvers and capturing 7 horses. Another party killed 4 of the same gang and captured 25 horses." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 745.


ROCHEPORT, MISSOURI, September 23-24, 1864. 3d Missouri State Militia. One hundred men of the 3d Missouri were attacked 8 miles north of Rocheport by 300 Confederates, under the guerrilla leader Anderson, and 12 Union men were killed after they had surrendered. The enemy captured all the camp and garrison equipage, quartermaster's supplies, etc. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 746.


ROCK, John Stewart, 1826-1866, African American, activist, lawyer, physician, dentist, supporter of abolition movement.  Member of the Boston Vigilance Committee, which opposed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.  Opposed colonization.  Recruited soldiers for US colored regiments. (Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 545)


ROCK CREEK FORD, TENNESSEE, July 2, 1863. (See Elk River, same date.)


ROCK CREEK STATION, DAKOTA TERRITORY, June 24-30. 1864. (See Seven Mile Creek.)


ROCK CUT, ALABAMA, April 22, 1863. (See Courtland, Expedition to.)


ROCKET, (WAR.) A projectile set in motion by a force within itself. It is composed of a strong case of paper or wrought iron, inclosing a composition of nitre, charcoal, and sulphur; so proportioned as to burn slower than gunpowder. The head is either a solid shot, shell, or spherical-case shot. The base is perforated by one or more vents, and in the case of the Congreve rocket, with a screw hole to which a guide-stick is fastened. The rockets used in the United States service are Hale's, in which steadiness is given to the flight of the rocket by rotation, as in the case of the rifle ball, around the long axis of the rocket. This rotation is produced by three small vents placed at the base of the head of the rocket. Fig. 204 shows Hale's rocket now used in the United States. Mr. Hale's last improvement (Fig. 205) placing three tangential vents in a plane passing through the centre of gravity of the rocket, and at right angles to the axis. This is accomplished by dividing the case into two distinct parts, or rockets, by a perforated partition. The composition in the front part furnishes the gas for rotation, and that in the rear the gas for propulsion. The two sizes of Hale's rockets in use, are the

2 ½ inch, (diameter of case,) weighing 6 lbs.; and

3 ½  inch (diameter of case) weighing16 lbs.

Under an angle of from 4 to 5 the range of these rockets is from 500 to 600 yards, and under an angle of 47 the range of the former is 1 ,760 yds., and the latter 2,200 yards. War rockets are usually fired from tubes or troughs, mounted on portable stands, or on light carriages. 

The following rules concerning the length of rocket-fazes, the ranges and elevations, for Congreve's rockets, may be useful, though they have not been confirmed by an extensive course of practice: For 24-pounder rockets; if the whole length of the fuze is left in the shell of the 4-pounder rocket, it may be expected to burst at about 3,700 yards, elevation 47 degrees.

If the whole of the fuze-composition be bored out, and the rocket-composition left entire, the shell may be expected to burst at about 2,000 yards, elevation 27 degrees.

If the rocket-composition be bored into, to within 1.5 inch of the top of the cone, the shell may be expected to burst at about 700 yards, elevation 17 degrees.

For 12-pounder rockets; if the whole length of fuze be left in the shell of the 12-pounder rocket, it may be expected to burst at about 3,000 yards, elevation 40 degrees.

If the whole of the fuze-composition be bored out, and the rocket-composition left entire, the shell may be expected to burst at about 1,500 yards, elevation 20 degrees.

If the rocket-composition be bored into, to within one inch of the top of the cone, the shell may be expected to burst at about 420 yards, elevation 10 degrees.

For 6-pounder rockets; if the whole length of fuze be left in the shell of the 6-pounder rocket, it may be expected to burst at about 2,300 yards, elevation 37 degrees.

If the whole of the fuze-composition be bored out, and the rocket-composition be left entire, the shell may be expected to burst at about 1,100 yards, elevation 15 degrees. If the rocket-composition be bored into within one inch of the top of the cone, the shell may be expected to burst at about 20 yards, elevation 10 degrees.


For 3-pounder rockets; if the whole length of the fuze be left in the shell of the 3-pounder rocket, it may be expected to burst at about 1,800 yards, elevation 25 degrees.

If the whole of the fuze-composition be bored out, and the rocket- composition be left entire, the shell may be expected to burst at about 850 yards, elevation 12 degrees.

If the rocket composition be bored into within one inch of the top of the cone, the shell may be expected to burst at about 420 yards, elevation 8 degrees; (Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 535-536).


ROCKFISH GAP, VIRGINIA, September 28, 1864. 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Shenandoah. The brigade, commanded by Colonel Charles R. Lowell, was on picket duty from Rockfish gap to New Hope. At 5 p. m. the line was attacked at both points with infantry, cavalry and artillery. Finding himself outnumbered, Lowell fell back in good order to Waynesboro, where he joined the main body of the division. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 746.


ROCK HOUSE, WEST VIRGINIA, February 12, 1864. 14th Kentucky Infantry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 746.


ROCKINGHAM, William Beatty, soldier, born in Angelica, New York, 15 February, 1826, entered the U.S. service as major and additional paymaster of volunteers on 1 June, 1861. He was transferred to the permanent establishment as paymaster on 17 January, 1867, and on 17 February, 1882, was appointed paymaster-general of the army, with the rank of brigadier-general. See “Early History of the Rochester Family in America,” by Nathaniel Rochester (Buffalo, 1882). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 294.


ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, March 7, 1865. Foragers of the 14th and 24th Army Corps and Kilpatrick's Cavalry. As the foraging parties approached Rockingham they became engaged with Butler division of Hampton's cavalry. While the action was in progress Kilpatrick's advance arrived on the scene, and a portion of the 2nd Kentucky and 9th Pennsylvania cavalry, under Captain Boyle, joined the infantry, driving the Confederates from the town, which was occupied by the Union forces about 10 a. m. No losses reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 746.


ROCKPORT, ARKANSAS, March 25, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, June 28, 1863. Wagon train of the Army of the Potomac. As an incident of the Gettysburg campaign Fitzhugh Lee captured a Federal train of 150 wagons at Rockville. Two brigades of Federal cavalry were immediately sent in pursuit, but without result. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 746.


ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, September 22, 1863. 11th New York Cavalry. Rockville, Maryland, July 10, 1864. Detachments of 16th Pennsylvania and 8th Illinois Cavalry. Some 500 men of these two regiments, under Major William H. Fry, passed through Rockville at 11 a. m. Three miles from Rockville, at a small village called Gerrardsville, the Federal advance came upon the Confederate skirmishers and firing commenced at once. Seeing a long line of Confederate cavalry approaching, Fry slowly withdrew through Rockville to a hill a mile beyond  the town, where he formed a skirmish line and held the enemy in check until they brought a battery to bear, when he was again compelled to withdraw. The casualties were not reported. The affair was an incident of operations in the Shenandoah valley. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 746.

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, July 13, 1864. Cavalry of Hardin's Division, 22nd Army Corps. A little after noon the Confederate rear-guard passed through Rockville with the Union cavalry under Colonel C. R. Lowell in close pursuit. The 2nd Massachusetts charged the town. but was overpowered and driven back. Lowell, then established a strong dismounted skirmish line and checked a fierce charge of the Confederates, holding them until they were reinforced, when he fell back Page 747 about 2 miles from Rockville, where he took up a strong position and held it until the next day when the pursuit was renewed. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 746-747.


ROCKVILLE, OHIO, July 23, 1863. A despatch from Gov. David Tod, of Ohio, to General Burnside, during Morgan's Ohio raid, contains the following extract from a despatch from the military committee at Zanesville: "Our forces have been fighting Morgan at Rockville, in this county, and since 2 o'clock, with success." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 747.


ROCKWELL, Alphonso David, physician, born in New Canaan, Connecticut, 18 May, 1840. He was educated at Kenyon College and graduated in medicine at Bellevue Medical College, New York City, in 1864. Entering the army as assistant surgeon of the 6th Ohio Cavalry, he was soon promoted surgeon of brigade with the rank of major, and served through the campaigns of 1864 and 1865 in Virginia. […]     Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 294-295.


ROCKWELL, Julius, jurist, born in Colebrook, Connecticut, 26 April, 1805; died in Lenox, Massachusetts, 19 May, 1888. He was graduated at Yale in 1826, studied at the law-school, was admitted to the bar in 1829, and settled in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the following year. He was elected a member of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1834, its speaker in 1835-'8, and then served as bank commissioner for three years. He was a representative in Congress from 2 February, 1844, till 3 March, 1851, having been elected as a Whig for four successive terms. He was a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention in 1853. On Edward Everett's resignation of his seat in the U. S. Senate, Mr. Rockwell was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served from 15 June, 1854, till Henry Wilson was elected by the legislature and took his seat on 10 February, 1855. He was a presidential elector on the Fremont ticket in 1856, was again elected to the state house of representatives in 1858, and was chosen speaker, which office he had held when in the legislature before. In 1859 he was appointed one of the judges of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, serving till 1871, when he resigned, ne has since resided in Lenox, Massachusetts, and been connected with various banks. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 295.


ROCKY BLUFF, MISSOURI, August 7, 1862. Detached Troops, Department of Kansas. Late on the 3d Lieutenant-Colonel John T. Burris left Leavenworth, with two companies of the 8th Kansas infantry, part of the 3d Wisconsin cavalry and two sections of the post battery, for a reconnaissance into Platte county, Missouri When near Platte City on the evening of the 6th he learned of a guerrilla camp at Rocky bluff, 5 miles above on the south side of the Platte river. At 11 o'clock that night he sent the cavalry up the north side of the river to seize the bridge and thus cut off retreat, while at 3 a. m. on the 7th the infantry and battery moved up the south side. The camp was attacked at sunrise and was a complete surprise to the guerrillas, who fled in all directions after firing a few desultory shots. Two Union men were wounded, and the enemy lost 3 or more killed, several wounded and 6 captured. Burris then burned three houses in the vicinity, together with all the equipage of the camp, and returned to Leavenworth. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 747.


ROCKY CREEK, MISSISSIPPI, June 26, 1863. Detachment of 5th Illinois Cavalry. Confederate reports tell of a raid on Brookhaven by the Federals and the pursuit by a party of 35 Confederates under Lieutenant W. M. Wilson. The latter managed to get in advance of the Union raiders near Ellisville and waited to receive them. When they were within a few paces the Confederates opened fire and 4 were instantly killed and 5 wounded. The rest scattered, but later returned and surrendered. There were 37 men in the Federal command. Union reports do not mention the affair. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 747.


ROCKY CREEK BRIDGE, GEORGIA, April 20, 1865. (See Spring Hill.)


ROCKY CREEK CHURCH, GEORGIA, December 2, 1864. 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, and Kilpatrick's Cavalry. The infantry division, commanded by Brigadier-General Absalom Baird and preceded by the cavalry, moved on the Waynesboro road, the object being to cover the movements of the Union troops then marching in several columns on Millen. Rocky creek was reached about 10 a. m. and the enemy found posted in considerable force behind barricades on the opposite side of the stream. Kilpatrick halted until Baird came up, when a charge of the 74th Indiana infantry and the 3d Kentucky and 5th Ohio cavalry routed the enemy, driving him toward Waynesboro. The cavalry kept up the pursuit for some distance. No losses reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 747.


ROCKY FACE RIDGE, GEORGIA, February 24-26, 1864. (See Dalton, same date.)


ROCKY FACE RIDGE, GEORGIA, May 8-11, 1864. Armies of the Cumberland, Tennessee and Ohio. Rocky Face ridge is an elevation running north and south about 2 miles west of Dalton. Northwest of the town is a break in the ridge known as Buzzard Roost or Mill Creek gap, through which runs the Western & Atlantic railroad. Near the south end of the ridge is Dug gap, so called from the excavations made in the construction of the Lafayette and Dalton road. South of Rocky Face, running in the same general direction, is Chattoogata mountain, and between a western spur of this range and Horn mountain is a long, narrow valley known as Snake Creek gap, the southern end of which is almost west of Resaca. After the Federal occupation of Tunnel Hill Sherman decided it was impracticable to strike Dalton in front, as it was covered by Rocky Face, where Johnston had a force strongly intrenched in Buzzard Roost gap and Hood's corps occupied the crest. Sherman therefore ordered McPherson to move rapidly from his position at Lee & Gordon's mills via Ship's gap and Villanow through Snake Creek gap on Resaca, or some point on the railroad below Dalton. After breaking the railroad he was to take a strong defensive position at Snake Creek gap and be ready to strike the enemy on the flank as he retreated. To cover this movement Geary was ordered to make a demonstration against Dug gap and Thomas was ordered to threaten the enemy in front. Accordingly Howard and Palmer were directed to make a demonstration against the Confederate works in Mill Creek gap and at the same time endeavor to put a force on the ridge. Early on the morning of the 8th Newton sent Harker's brigade up the north end of Rocky Face, forcing back the enemy about three-fourths of a mile during the day, and establishing a signal station. Stanley's division of the 4th corps advanced in line of battle on the west side of the ridge to within 500 yards of it, but was seriously annoyed by a flank fire from the enemy's intrenchments on some hills at the entrance to Buzzard Roost gap. In the afternoon Davis' division of the 14th corps joined with Stanley to attack these works, and under cover of a well-directed fire from Simonson's batteries charged the hills, driving the enemy back to his main line of intrenchments. In the meantime Wood had pushed a strong skirmish line, well supported, as far as possible up the western slope and kept up his demonstration there until noon of the 12th, but failed to drive the enemy from his position on the crest. Geary reached the valley west of Dug gap and placed McGill's battery of 3-inch Rodman guns in a position to command the crest, left three regiments in support, and formed the rest of his command for the advance. The 119th New York was deployed as skirmishers, Buschbeck's brigade occupied the right and Candy's the left, each in two lines of battle, and at 3 p. m. the lines moved forward. The ascent would have been difficult under the most favorable circumstances. Now Confederate skirmishers were thickly posted behind rocks and trees on the steep slope and kept up an incessant and destructive fire on the advancing Federals. Geary's lines pressed steadily forward until the foot of the palisades was reached, where a halt of a few minutes was made to give the men opportunity to regain their breath, and then charged up to the summit. Here they were met by a galling fire from a second line of works, which had hitherto been invisible, and to save themselves fell back out of range of the guns. Another assault was made, but with no better success. Geary then ordered McGill to move his battery to a cleared knoll near the base of the ridge and keep up a steady fire on the enemy's position. Under cover of this fire the 33d New Jersey was ordered to ascend the ridge about half a mile to the right and strike the enemy on the flank. The attempt was gallantly made, but owing to the precipitous formation the regiment was forced to move obliquely to the left, where a few crevices were found that would admit two or three men abreast, and through these the advance managed to reach the summit. Their loud cheers were the signal for another assault, but so few could gain the crest at a time that they were easily overwhelmed and driven back. McPherson reached Snake Creek gap, where he surprised a brigade of cavalry, then moved on to with1n a mile of Resaca, which place he found too strong to be carried by direct assault, and fell back to the gap. News of this reached Geary just after his last assault. It was then dusk and, as the object of the demonstration had been gained, Geary withdrew to a safe position in the valley and intrenched. He reported his losses in this action as being 49 killed, 257 wounded and 51 missing. During the night of the 8th Newton sent one gun of Battery M, 1st Illinois artillery, to the top of the ridge and pushed the remainder of his command to the crest to reinforce Harker. The summit was so narrow, however, that the men could never move more than four abreast, often in single file, and the way was so obstructed by bowlders, etc., that the advance was necessarily slow. At daybreak Harker opened fire with his piece of artillery and followed this by a charge, driving back the enemy about a mile to his main line of intrenchments. In the meantime Schofield had arrived on the ground and on the 9th made a strong demonstration against Johnston's right as a diversion in favor of the operations at Snake Creek gap. Schofield's line was formed with Judah on the right, Cox on the left, and Hovey in reserve covering Cox. In this order the corps moved steadily forward, forced back the Confederate skirmish lines, captured several lines of barricades and finally drove the enemy into his main intrenchments. To assist this movement Newton sent Wagner's brigade to attack the enemy's position on the eastern slope of the ridge. Wagner advanced until he found himself confronted by an impassable chasm, on the opposite side of which was a strong line of fortifications, from which a galling fire was poured into his lines, compelling him to fall back. In the afternoon McCook's cavalry division became hotly engaged on Schofield's left and Hovey was sent to his support, routing the Confederates and ending all danger from that quarter. Heavy skirmishing was kept up all day on the west side of the ridge, in which a number of men were wounded, but few were killed. On the 10th Thomas sent Hooker's corps and Kilpatrick's cavalry to the support of McPherson at Snake Creek gap. Skirmishing was continued at all points during the day, but with less vigor than on the day previous. Sherman now decided to move his main body to the rear of Johnston. Leaving Howard's corps and some cavalry to watch Dalton the remainder of the army took up its march on the 11th via Snake Creek gap on Resaca (q.v.). The custom of the different commanders of Sherman's army of making returns of their casualties for a given time renders returns of losses at Rocky Face ridge unavailable. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 747-749.


ROCKY FORD, MISSISSIPPI, June 20, 1863. (See Mud Creek Bottom, same date.)


ROCKY GAP, WEST VIRGINIA, August 26-27, 1863. 4th Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps. This affair was the last and the most sanguinary of the engagements incident to the raid of Brigadier-General William W. Averell in West Virginia. On the morning of the 26th the column advanced on White Sulphur Springs with four companies, two each of the 2nd and 8th West Virginia mounted infantry, under Captain von Koenig, in advance and the 14th Pennsylvania cavalry and the 3d West Virginia mounted infantry in the rear. It was necessary for the column to proceed through a narrow pass which debouched into a valley a mile long, on each side of which were rugged bluffs. When the opening of the pass was reached the enemy's artillery opened upon the head of the column. A portion of the 8th West Virginia was thrown to the left and a part of the 2nd to the right, both dismounted, and Ewing's battery was placed in position. The enemy advanced upon the battery, which, supported only by the advance guard, repulsed the attack and actually moved forward to obtain better position. When the fight commenced the rear was 4 miles back, but it was hurried up, the 14th Pennsylvania was deployed to the right and 3d West Virginia to the left . The Confederates then gave way and attempted to assume another position half a mile to the rear, with their right resting upon a rugged prominence and the center and left protected by a hastily constructed barricade of fence rails. Ewing lost one of his guns through its bursting, but the other five were brought to within 600 yards of the barricade and Averell advanced his whole line. Gibson's battalion was thrown into a house and the surrounding enclosures, in order to rake the enemy's center, but a regiment advancing upon the place compelled them to abandon it, setting fire to it so that it could not afford further protection. The Confederates clung like grim death to the hill on the Federal right and it was only by the hardest kind of fighting that any advance at all could be made. The fight developed into a sharpshooters' battle at 100 yards. About 4 p. m. Averell resolved to make another attempt to dislodge the enemy and sent word to both wings to advance when a charge should be made in the center. Captain Bird, with a detachment of the 14th Pennsylvania, made the charge, advancing in gallant style until he came to the barricade, but for some reason the order had been misunderstood and only 100 men advanced on the right and none came up on the left. The result was the ultimate repulse of those who did go in, though the assault on the right drove the enemy from that part of the barricade. Ammunition had run low by this time and darkness was coming on, but Averell was expecting Scammon to reinforce him from the west and was reluctant to withdraw. The lines remained the same all night, but in the morning it was apparent that the Confederates had been reinforced, and as Scammon had not yet arrived, Averell immediately began his preparations to withdraw. By 10:30 a. m. everything was in readiness, the command to retire was given and within three-quarters of an hour the column was moving off in good order, the rear-guard at the barricades erected during the night repulsing two attempts of the enemy to pursue. Averell's loss in this affair was 26 killed, 125 wounded and 67 captured or missing. Fifty-seven of the wounded were captured. The Confederate casualties amounted to 20 killed, 129 wounded and 13 missing. The affair is called White Sulphur Springs in the Confederate reports. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 749-750.


ROCKY HOCK CREEK, NORTH CAROLINA, March 24, 1863. (See Winfield, March 23)


ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA, July 18-24, 1863. Potter's Expedition. Brigadier General Edward E. Potter commanded the expedition, in the initial portion of which he had cooperation on the part of the brigade of Colonel James Jourdan, who had command of the 25th and 27th Massachusetts and 158th New York infantry. New Berne was the base of the expedition and Jourdan crossed the Neuse with orders to proceed to Swift creek. The following morning Potter crossed with his forces, consisting of the 3d New York cavalry, three companies of the 12th New York cavalry, one company of North Carolina cavalry, two companies of Mix's new regiment, and two sections of mountain howitzers. Jourdan was overtaken at Swift creek, and when Potter moved with the cavalry of Greenville, at daybreak of July 19, Jourdan was instructed to return to New Berne after making a feint of an advance on Kinston. Within 12 miles of Greenville Potter captured a picket post of 15 men, whose tents and stores were destroyed. Upon arriving at Greenville the bridge across Tar river was destroyed. A detachment under Major Ferris Jacobs, Jr., was sent forward, July 20, to Rocky Mount, where he captured and burned a locomotive and train, destroyed the railroad bridge and trestlework. the county bridge, a large cotton mill, a government flour mill, 4 stores, a machine shop filled with ordnance stores, 2 trains of government wagons and various other supplies and stores. The main column in the meanwhile moved on to Tarboro and charged into the town about 8 a. m., July 20. Here were destroyed a substantial iron-clad which was in process of construction, 2 steamboats, some railroad cars, and a considerable amount of stores of varied order. In the meanwhile Major Floyd Clarkson had made a charge down the road to Hamilton and received a volley from the enemy posted in the wood. He returned with a loss of about 35 in killed, wounded and missing. At 5 p. m. the bridge over the Tar river was burned, and the entire column commenced the return by the same road, as the enemy was in considerable force on the opposite side of the river. From Sparta onward for a distance of about 4 miles a running skirmish was kept up, and a detour was made at Tyson's creek, where the enemy had secured a stronghold whose dislodgment would occasion great delay. At dusk on the 21st the command charged into Scupperton, where a dozen prisoners were captured. Street's ferry was reached at noon of the 22d, and here the outposts were repeatedly attacked by the enemy during the afternoon and evening. Potter made requisition to New Berne for pontoons and light-draught steamers, shortly after the arrival of which the bridge was completed, enabling the command to cross the river and proceed to the respective camps. The prisoners and captured property were taken down the river by the steamers. In the expedition the total casualties were 2 killed, 19 wounded, and 43 missing. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 750-751.


ROCKY MOUNT, SOUTH CAROLINA, February 28, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps. The brigade, commanded by Bvt. Brigadier-General H. C. Hobart, reached Rocky Mount, on the Catawba river, on the 26th, but was compelled to wait for several days for the swollen waters to subside before a crossing could be effected During this time Butler's Confederate cavalry in considerable force was constantly scouting about the camp, cutting off foraging parties, etc. On the 28th a sharp attack was made on the Union pickets, just as the command commenced crossing the river. Hobart threw the 94th Ohio and 104th Illinois to the rear to cover the crossing, and these two regiments held the enemy in check until ordered to withdraw and join the main body of the brigade on the opposite bank. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 751.


ROCKY RUN, NORTH CAROLINA, November 4, 1863. Detachment of 12th New York Cavalry. A lieutenant and 3 men returning from a picket post near Rocky run were ordered to halt by a band of about 20 Confederates. The Federals made a dash, and cut their way through the enemy's line and escaped, the lieutenant being wounded in the breast. Parties sent out in pursuit of the Confederates were unable to locate them. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 751.


RODDEY, Philip Dale, soldier, born in North Carolina in 1818. He was for many years owner and captain of steamboats in the navigation of Tennessee River. He organized a company of scouts early in 1861 for the Confederate service, and subsequently a brigade and was commissioned brigadier-general, 31 August, 1863. His command was clothed, armed, and subsisted without cost to the Confederate government. He was one of the most successful of partisan officers, and was engaged in many of the great battles. Since 1870 he has resided chiefly in London, England. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 295-296.


RODENBOUGH, Theophilus Francis, soldier, born in Easton, Pennsylvania, 5 November, 1838. He was educated at Lafayette College, engaged in mercantile business, and on 27 March, 1861, was appointed 2d lieutenant in the 2d U.S. Dragoons. He was promoted 1st lieutenant on 14 May, was engaged at Gaines's Mills and the subsequent operations of the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, being promoted captain on 17 July, was captured at Manassas, but was immediately exchanged, and commanded a squadron in Stoneman's raid, and a regiment at Gettysburg. He was engaged in the cavalry operations of 1864, was wounded at Trevillian's Station, and again at Winchester, losing his right arm while leading his regiment in a charge. He was brevetted major for his bravery on this occasion, and lieutenant-colonel for meritorious conduct during the war, was appointed colonel of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry on 29 April, 1865, and received the brevets of brigadier-general of volunteers for services during the war, of colonel, U. S. Army, for bravery at Todd's Tavern, and of brigadier-general, U. S. Army, for gallant conduct at Cold Harbor. He was mustered out of the volunteer service on 31 October, 1865, became major of the 42d U.S. Infantry on 28 July, 1866, and was retired from active service on 15 December, 1870, on account of wounds received in the line of duty, with the full rank of colonel of cavalry. He became secretary of the Military Service Institution in 1879, and as assistant inspector-general of the state of New York in 1880–’3 was efficient in improving the militia organization. General Rodenbough is the author of “From Everglade to Cañon with the Second Dragoons” (New York, 1875); “Afghanistan and the Anglo-Russian Dispute” (1886); and “Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor” (1887). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 296.


RODES, Robert Emmett, born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 29 March, 1829; died in Winchester, Virginia, 19 September, 1864. He was graduated at Virginia Military Institute in 1848, and was professor in the institute for several years. He then moved to Mobile, Alabama, entered the Confederate Army as colonel of the 5th Alabama Infantry in 1861, and was promoted brigadier-general, 21 October, 1861, and major-general, 2 May, 1863. His brigade was composed of six Alabama regiments of infantry, in General Daniel H. Hill's division, Jackson's corps, Army of Northern Virginia. His division was composed of the brigades of Generals Doles, Daniel, and Ramseur. He was killed at the battle of Winchester. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 296.


RODGERS, John, naval officer, born in Harford County, Maryland, 8 August, 1812; died in Washington, D. C, 5 May, 1882, entered the U.S. Navy as midshipman, 18 April, 1828, served in the "Constellation" in the Mediterranean in 1829-'32, attended the naval school at Norfolk in 1832-'4, and became passed midshipman in the last-named year. After a year's leave, during which he attended the University of Virginia, he was in the brig " Dolphin," on the Brazil Station, in 1830-'9, and commanded the schooner "Wave" on the coast of Florida in 1839. He was commissioned lieutenant, 22 January, 1840, had charge of the schooner "Jefferson " in surveying the Florida Keys, and in hostilities with the Seminoles in 1840-'3, and was again surveying on the coast of Florida in 1849-'52. The charts and sailing directions for this coast bear witness to his faithful work. He commanded the steamer "John Hancock" and the U. S. Surveying and Exploring Expedition in the North Pacific and China Seas 1852-'5. In April, 1855, he took the "Vincennes" into the Arctic Ocean, and obtained valuable commercial and scientific information. He was commissioned commander, 14 September, 1855, and continued on special duty in connection with the report of the exploring expedition. In 1861 he was among the first to ask for duty in the Civil War, and in May, 1861, was ordered to superintend the building of the "Benton " class of western river iron-clads. In November he joined the expedition to Port Royal, where he hoisted the flag on Fort Walker after the engagement. In May, 1862, he commanded an expedition in James River, leading in the attack on Fort Darling, 15 May, 1862, during which his vessel, the " Galena," an iron-clad steamer, was hit 129 times, two thirds of his crew were killed or wounded, and all his ammunition was expended, when he withdrew. He was commissioned captain, 16 July, 1862, and in 1863 sailed in command of the monitor "Weehawken" from New York, encountering a heavy gale off the Delaware breakwater, where he declined to take refuge because he wished to test the sea-going qualities of monitors. On 17 June, 1863, he fought the powerful Confederate iron clad "Atlanta," which he captured, after an engagement of fifteen minutes, in Warsaw Sound, Georgia, during which the "Weehawken" fired only five shots. Congress gave him a formal vote of thanks for his "eminent zeal and ability," and he was promoted to commodore from 17 June, 1863, the date of his victory. He commanded the monitor "Dictator" in 1864-'5, on special service. In 1866 he took the double turret monitor "Monadnock " through the Straits of Magellan to San Francisco. He stopped at Valparaiso just before its bombardment by the Spanish, which, with General Kilpatrick, the U. S. minister, he strove to prevent. He proposed joint armed interference to the English admiral, but the latter refused to co-operate. These negotiations added to his reputation as a diplomatist. He had charge of the Boston U.S. Navy-yard in 1866-'9, was commissioned rear-admiral, 31 December, 1869, and commanded the Asiatic Fleet in 1870-'2, when he rendered great service by suppressing outrages on American commerce by the Coreans. Admiral Rodgers was commandant of Mare Island U.S. Navy-yard, California, in 1873-'7, and superintendent of the U. S. Naval Observatory at Washington from 1 May, 1877, until his death. His services at the observatory contributed to the advancement of science, and under his administration Professor Asaph Hall discovered the moons of Mars. Admiral Rodgers was also successful in his efforts to have a new site selected for a future observatory. He was president of the transit of Venus Commission. In 1863 he had been one of the fifty corporate members of the National Academy of Sciences that were named by Congress in that year. On 23 June, 1878, he was elected to succeed Professor Joseph Henry as chairman of the Light-House Board, and personally superintended and participated in experiments in optics and acoustics to improve the service. His able counsels were in constant demand on advisory boards, especially for reconstructing the navy, and for the “Jeannette” relief expedition, for which his personal knowledge of the Polar Sea was valuable. See a memoir by Professor J. Russell Soley, U.S. Navy  privately, Annapolis, 1882). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 296-297.


RODGERS, Christopher Raymond Perry, naval officer, born in Brooklyn, New York, 14 November, 1819, was appointed a midshipman on 5 October, 1833, and while serving on the schooner “Flirt" in 1839 and in command of the schooner “Phoenix” in 1840–’1, was actively engaged in the Seminole War. He was promoted lieutenant on 4 September, 1844, was engaged in blockading the coast of Mexico in 1847, and was in the trenches at the siege of Vera Cruz and the capture of Tabasco and Tuspan. In 1856–’7 he commanded the steamer “Bibb " and the schooner “Gallatin” in the coast survey. He was commissioned as commander on 15 October, 1861, and served with distinction on the “Wabash,” and as fleet-captain of Rear-Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont's fleet at the battle of Port Royal and in command of the naval force in the trenches at the capture of Fort Pulaski. He directed the movements of a fleet of gun-boats that was engaged in occupying strategic points on the coast south of Port Royal, commanding an expedition to St. Augustine and up St. Mary's River in March, 1862, and was fleet-captain in the “New Ironsides” in the attack of 7 April, 1863, on the defences of Charleston and in the subsequent operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, till in the autumn of 1863 he was assigned to the command of the steam sloop “Iroquois,” in which he was employed on special service till the end of the war. He was commissioned as captain on 25 July, 1866, commanded the “Franklin " in the Mediterranean in 1868–70, became a commodore on 28 August, 1870, was on special service in Europe in 1871, then chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks till 1874, was commissioned as rear-admiral on 14 June, 1874, and was superintendent of the Naval Academy, except in 1878–80, when he commanded the naval forces in the Pacific, until on 14 November, 1881, he was placed on the retired list. Rear-Admiral Rodgers presided over the international conference at Washington in 1885 for the purpose of fixing a prime meridian and universal day. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 298.


RODGERS, George Washington, naval officer, born in Brooklyn, New York, 30 October, 1822; died off Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, 17 August, 1863, entered the Navy as midshipman, 30 April, 1836, became passed midshipman, 1 July, 1842, and was in the steamer “Colonel Harney” and the frigate “John Adams” during the Mexican War, at Vera Cruz, Tuspan, Alvarado, and other points on the Gulf Coast, where he served as acting master from 4 November, 1846. He was on the U.S. Coast Survey in 1849–50, was commissioned lieutenant, 4 June, 1850, cruised in the “Germantown" on the home station in 1851–’3, and was at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1861–2. In April, 1861, he saved the “Constitution” from a threatened attack by secessionists at Annapolis, and took the Naval Academy to Newport, Rhode Island. He was commissioned commander, 16 January, 1862, and in October commanded the monitor “Catskill,” in which he participated in the attacks on Charleston. On 7 April, 1863, he impetuously took her almost under the walls of Fort Sumter. Admiral Dahlgren appointed him chief of staff, 4 July, 1863, and, still commanding the “Catskill,” he was distinguished by the cool and deliberate manner in which he fought his ship. In the attack on Fort Wagner, 17 August, 1863, he took command of his vessel as usual, and while in the pilot-house he was instantly killed by a shot that struck the top of the house and broke it in. It was of Commander Rodgers that Miles O'Reilly wrote one of his most admired stanzas: “Ah me! George Rodgers lies With dim and dreamless eyes, He has fairly won the prize of the striped and starry shroud.” Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 298.


RODGERS' CROSSING, ARKANSAS, September 14, 1864. Detachment of 1st Arkansas Cavalry. A detail of 99 men under Captain John I, Worthington was sent as escort to a mail train. On the 14th they left the train at Sugar creek and marched to Rodgers' crossing of the White river, where the Confederates were concentrating to attack the train. Worthington charged and dispersed the enemy, killing 5, wounding several and capturing a lieutenant. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 751.


RODGERS' PLANTATION, ARKANSAS, April 25, 1865. Detachment of 13th Illinois Cavalry. This affair was a slight skirmish between 26 men of the 13th Illinois and a Confederate squad under Lieutenant Dixon. It resulted in the capture of 2 Confederates, the serious wounding of another and the dispersal of the remainder of the party. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 751.


RODMAN, Isaac Peace, soldier, born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, 18 August, 1822; died in Sharpsburg, Maryland, 30 September, 1862. He received a common-school education, entered into partnership with his father, and became a prominent woollen-manufacturer. He sat in both houses of the legislature for several terms. At the first call for troops in 1861 he raised a company, which was incorporated in the 2d Rhode Island Regiment, and was engaged at Bull Run. For gallantry in that action he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Rhode Island Volunteers, 25 October, 1861, and soon afterward was promoted colonel. He served with great credit at Roanoke Island and New Berne, and in the capture of Fort Macon, and in July, 1862, was commissioned as brigadier-general of volunteers, to date from 28 April. At the Antietam he commanded the 3d Division of the 9th Corps, and was mortally wounded while leading a charge. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 298.


RODMAN, Thomas Jefferson, soldier, born in Salem, Indiana, 30 July, 1815; died in Rock Island, Illinois, 7 June, 1871. He was graduated at the U.S. Military Academy in 1841, assigned to the Ordnance Department, and served at Alleghany Arsenal till 1848, going to Richmond, Virginia, in 1845 to prepare machinery for testing gun-metal and supervise the manufacture of cannon, and to Boston in September, 1846, for the purpose of experimenting with Colonel George Bomford's columbiads of 12-inch calibre. He invented a method of casting guns on a hollow core, through which a stream of cold water is kept running, greatly improving their tenacity. In 1847 he supervised the manufacture of columbiads on this system at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. During the Mexican War he served as ordnance officer at Camargo and Point Isabel Depots. Returning to Alleghany Arsenal, he continued his experiments. He was in command of the arsenal in 1854, and of the one at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1855-'6. Although columbiads made by his method showed greater power of resistance than those that were cast solid, yet they failed under severe tests, and, as the result of a series of experiments at Pittsburg in 1850, he recommended that no more guns of large calibre should be made of that pattern. In 1857-'8 he experimented with a pressure-gauge of his invention, consisting of a piston working in a hole bored into the wall of a gun and acting on an indenting tool, for the purpose of determining the pressure in the bore at different points. He devised a new form of columbiad which was determined on the hypothesis that the pressure is inversely as the square root of the space behind the shot. The first 15-inch Rodman gun was completed in May, 1860. In the trials, mammoth (or very large-grained) powder, and powder in perforated cakes, were also tested, and in the following year the mammoth powder was adopted for heavy ordnance. The perforated cake powder for rifled cannon of large calibre was at once adopted by the Russian government, which obtained specimens from Fortress Monroe in 1860, and soon afterward came into use in Prussia, and more recently the military authorities in England decided on using the mammoth powder, there called pebble powder, in their big rifled guns. Rodman, who had reached the grade of captain of ordnance on 1 July, 1855, and was promoted major on 1 June, 1863, was in command of Watertown Arsenal during the Civil War, being detached at intervals for various services, especially to supervise the manufacture and trials of 12-inch rifled and 20-inch smooth-bore cannon. Many sound 15-inch Rodman guns were made during the war for the monitors and the forts along the coast. The method of casting about a hollow core and cooling the metal from the inside was applied to shells as well as to cannon, and from 27 September, 1864, he was engaged in supervising the manufacture of ordnance and projectiles by this method. He originated the idea of making heavy guns without preponderance at the breech, on which plan all the heavy cast-iron cannon were subsequently constructed in the United States. In March, 1865, he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, colonel, and brigadier-general for his services in the Ordnance Department. He was placed in command at Rock Island on 4 August, 1865, and promoted lieutenant-colonel on 7 March. 1867, served on various boards for testing inventions in fire-arms, and at the  time of his death was engaged in completing the arsenal at Rock Island, which was constructed at his suggestion and under his superintendence. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 298-299.


RODMANS’ POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, April 1-5, 1863. Union Gunboats. 'The bombardment of the Confederate batteries on Rodman's point on these dates was part of the operations during the siege of Washington. (See Washington.)  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 752.


ROGERS, Elymas Payson, 1815-1861, African American, clergyman, poet, missionary, educator, prominent abolitionist.  Wrote anti-slavery satires, “A Poem on the Fugitive Slave Law,” and “The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise Considered,” 1856. (Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 554)


ROGERS, J. V., , Ohio Anti-Slavery Society, Manager, 1838-39


ROGERS, John, Boston, Massachusetts, abolitionist, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Counsellor, 1840-1857.


ROGERS, Moses, New York, abolitionist, member of the New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves, founded 1785 (Basker, 2005, p. 223)


ROGERS' GAP, TENNESSEE, June 10, 1862. 7th Division. Army of the Ohio. Brigadier-General George W. Morgan, commanding the division, reported from Parrott's, Tennessee, as follows: "My advance guard occupies Rogers' gap, and will probably descend into the valley tomorrow. Today our pickets had two skirmishes with those of the enemy, in which he sustained some loss in killed and wounded. On our side there were no casualties." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 752.


ROGERS' GAP, TENNESSEE, August 31, 1862. Detachment of the 1st Tennessee Infantry. Captain Myers and Lieutenant Rogers, with 60 picked men, left the Federal works at Cumberland gap on the 29th, under orders to harass the enemy and if possible intercept despatches. At daylight on the morning of the 31st the detachment struck Captain Rhodes' company of Confederate cavalry on the south side of Rogers' gap, killed 6, wounded 6, and captured 19, together with 30 horses and equipments and a number of carbines. After this exploit the command returned to Cumberland gap, where it arrived that evening without the loss of a man. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 752.


ROGERS' GAP, TENNESSEE, September 10, 1862. (See Big Creek Gap, same date.)


ROGERSVILLE, ALABAMA, May 13, 1862. Expedition under Brigadier-General James S. Negley. The expedition, consisting of the 79th and detachments of the 78th Pennsylvania, the 1st Wisconsin, the 35th and 38th Indiana infantry, and the 7th Pennsylvania, 5th Kentucky and Major Owsley's battalion of cavalry, together with some artillery, left Pulaski on the 12th. On the afternoon of the 13th the enemy's pickets at Rogersville were driven in and gave the alarm to the Confederates in the town. The Federal cavalry followed to the river, where the enemy was crossing at Lamb's ferry, and fired upon a boat load of cavalry. The enemy on the opposite bank responded, keeping up a fire from some log buildings until a section of artillery drove them from their position. Negley had 1 man wounded, and, while the enemy's loss was not reported, it was undoubtedly heavier. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 752.


ROGERSVILLE, KENTUCKY, August 29, 1862. (See Richmond.)


ROGERSVILLE, KENTUCKY, July 27, 1863. (See Richmond, Kentucky, July 28.)


ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE, November 6, 1863. Detachments of 7th Ohio Cavalry, 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry and 2nd Illinois Battery. The garrison of Rogersville was attacked about sunrise of the 6th, an advance picket having been previously routed by the approaching Confederates, so that Colonel Israel Garrard knew of their proximity and had made preparations to withdraw, but before he could do so the enemy surrounded him. After fighting for some time the larger part of the garrison was captured. Union reports are rather indefinite as to numbers, but Major-General E. Ransom, Jr., commanding the Confederates, states that he took 850 prisoners, 4 pieces of artillery, 2 stands of colors, 60 wagons and about 1,000 animals, and had 2 men killed and 6 or 8 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 752.


ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE, August 21, 1864. 13th Tennessee Cavalry. Colonel William H. Ingerton, with his regiment, surprised a Confederate detachment at Rogersville at daylight, and the result of the fight which ensued was the killing of 23 of the enemy and the capture of 35. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 752.


ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE, October 8, 1864. A report of Brigadier-General J. C.  Vaughn, of the Confederate army, states that a portion of his command met a Federal detachment at Rogersville, killed 10 of them and wounded several. Union reports do not mention the affair. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 752-753.


ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE, December 21, 1864. (See Big Creek.)


ROE, Edward Payson, author, born in Moodna, New Windsor, Orange County, New York, 7 March, 1838; died in Cornwall, New York, 19 July, 1888. He was educated at Williams, but not graduated, owing to an affection of the eyes. In after years the college gave him the degree of B. A. He studied at Auburn and at Union Theological Seminary. New York City, and in 1862 became a chaplain in the volunteer service, where he remained till October. 1865. He then became pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Highland Falls, New York, where his lectures on topics connected with the Civil War, to raise funds for a new church, first brought him into notice as a successful speaker. He visited the ruins of Chicago after the great fire, and wrote " Barriers Burned Away," a novel, which was published as a serial in the New York " Evangelist," and afterward appeared in book-form (New York, 1872). Of the cheap edition (1882), 87,500 copies were sold. The great success of his book, together with impaired health, induced Mr. Roe to resign his pastorate…   Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 302.


ROE, Francis Asbury, naval officer, born in Elmira, New York, 4 October, 1823. He entered the U.S. Navy as midshipman, 19 October, 1841, and was at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1847-'8. He left the service for eleven months from June, 1848. In 1851-'2 he served in the mail-steamer "Georgia," on the New York and West India Line. He was attached to the brig "Porpoise" in the North Pacific Exploring Expedition. He was commissioned master, 8 August, 1855, and lieutenant, 14 September, 1855. In 18578 he served in the U.S. Coast Survey. In 1862 he was executive officer of the "Pensacola" in Farragut's squadron, and, on account of the illness of his commanding officer, took charge of the ship in passing Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip. He was commissioned lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, had charge of the steamer " Katahdin " in 1862-'3 in the operations on Mississippi River, defeated General John C. Breckinridge's attack on Baton Rouge, and assisted in the destruction of the Confederate ram "Arkansas," 7 August, 1862. In 1864 he commanded the steamer " Sassacus " in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and captured and destroyed several blockade runners in the sounds of North Carolina, and co-operated in the defeat of the Confederate iron-clad ram "Albemarle," 5 May, 1864. In this engagement Roe gallantly rammed the iron-clad, which then fired a 100-pound rifle-shell through the "Sassacus," killing and scalding many of the crew by exploding in the boiler. In the confusion that was caused by escaping steam. Roe skilfully handled his ship and compelled the "Albemarle's "consort, the "Bombshell," to surrender. After the war he commanded the steamer " Michigan" on the lakes in 1864-'6. He was commissioned commander, 25 July, 1866, and in 1866-'7 commanded the steamer "Tacony" on a special mission to Mexico. His firmness as senior officer prevented a bombardment of Vera Cruz. On 8 August, 1867, he was detached, and in recognition of his services was ordered as fleet-captain of the Asiatic Station, where he served until December. 1871. He was commissioned captain, 1 April, 1872, and was attached to the Boston U.S. Navy-yard in 1872-'3. His last cruise was in command of the " Lancaster" on the Brazil Station in 1873-5. He was attached to the naval station at New London in 1875-'6, on special duty at Washington in 1879-'80, and promoted to commodore, 26 November. 1880. In 1883-4 he was governor of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia. He was commissioned rear-admiral, 3 November, 1884, and placed on the retired list, 4 October, 1885. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 302-303.


ROEBLING, John Augustus (ray'-bling), civil engineer, born in Muhlhausen, Prussia, 12 June, 1806; died in Brooklyn, New York, 22 July, 1869. He was graduated at the Royal Polytechnic School in Berlin with the degree of C. E. in 1826, paid special attention to suspension-bridges during his course, and wrote his graduating thesis on this subject. After spending the three years required by law in government service, during which time he was engaged chiefly as an assistant on the construction of military roads in Westphalia, he came to the United States. He settled near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and determined to build a village of frontiersmen. The various systems of canal improvements and slackwater navigation were then in course of development, and to these his services were attracted. Later his attention was given to new railroad enterprises. One of his earliest engagements was in surveying the lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad across the Alleghany Mountains from Harrisburg to Pittsburg. He then entered upon the manufacture of iron and steel wire, from which he gained the valuable knowledge of the nature, capabilities, and requirements of wire that enabled him to revolutionize the construction of bridges. The first, specimens of that wire that was ever produced in the United States were made by him, and his belief in its efficacy for bridge-construction was soon put to the test. During the winter of 1844-'5 he had charge of the building of a wooden aqueduct across the Alleghany River at Pittsburg, and proposed that it should consist of a wooden trunk to hold the water, supported on each side by a continuous wire cable seven inches in diameter. In spite of ridicule from the engineering profession, he succeeded in completing his bridge, which comprised seven spans, each of 162 feet. His next undertaking was the construction in 1846 of a suspension-bridge over Monongahela River at Pittsburg. In 1848 he built four similar works on the line of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. On the completion of these bridges he settled in Trenton, New Jersey, whither he moved his wire-manufactory. In 1851 he was called to build a suspension-bridge across the Niagara River to connect the New York Central Railroad with the Canadian Railway systems. This structure, the first of the great suspension bridges with which his name is connected, was built in four years, and, when it was finished, was regarded as one of the wonders of the world. It was the first suspension-bridge that was capable of bearing the weight of railroad-trains. The span was 825 feet clear, and it was supported by four 10-inch cables. His next undertaking was a wire cable bridge for common travel over Alleghany River at Pittsburg, which is considered one of the best pieces of bridge engineering in existence. In 1856 he began the building of the great bridge between Cincinnati and Covington, but the work was not finished until 1867. Its success showed engineers throughout the country that the problem of suspension-bridge making was solved upon a principle that could not be superseded. According to General John G. Barnard, "to Mr. Roebling must be conceded the claim of practically establishing the sufficiency of the suspension principle for railroad bridges and of developing the manner of their construction." His eminent success in this line of work led in 1868 to his being chosen chief engineer of the East River Bridge, connecting Brooklyn and New York. He at once prepared plans for the structure, which received the approval of the National authorities, and in 1869 the company for the construction of the bridge was duly organized and work was at once begun. While he was making observations his foot was crushed between the piling and rack of one of the ferry-slips during the abrupt entry of a ferry-boat. Mr. Roebling was then moved to his residence, but, in spite of medical skill, his death occurred from lockjaw sixteen days later. Mr. Roebling published "Long and Short Span Railway Bridges" (New York, 1869). —His son, Washington Augustus, civil engineer, born in Saxenburg, Pennsylvania, 26 May, 1837, was graduated as a civil engineer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1857, and began his professional work at once under his father on the Alleghany Suspension-Bridge. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 6th New York Artillery, and served a year with that battery in the Army of the Potomac. In 1862 he was transferred to the staff of General Irvin McDowell, and assigned to various engineering duties, notably the construction of a suspension-bridge across Rappahannock River. Later he served on General John Pope's staff, and was present at South Mountain, Antietam, and the campaign that ended in the second battle of Bull Run, during which time he built a suspension-bridge across Shenandoah River at Harper’s Ferry. He was also engaged on balloon duty, and was in the habit of ascending every morning in order to reconnoiter the Confederate Army. By this means he discovered, and was the first to announce, the fact that General Lee was moving toward Pennsylvania. From August, 1863, till March, 1864, he was attached to the 2d Corps, serving on engineering duty and then on staff duty with the 5th Corps during the overland campaign. He attained the rank of major on 20 April, 1864, also receiving three brevets, including that of colonel, and resigned in January, 1865. Colonel Roebling then assisting his father on the Cincinnati and Covington Bridge, of which he had almost the entire charge. He then went abroad to study pneumatic foundations before sinking those of the East River bridge, to the charge of which he was called on the death of his father, but before any of the details had been decided on. In 1869 he settled in Brooklyn, and gave his attention almost exclusively to the sinking of the caissons. His devotion to the work, with the fact that he spent more hours of the twenty-four in the compressed air of the caissons than anyone else, led to an attack of caisson fever early in 1872. He soon rallied and resumed his work, but he was so weak that he was unable to leave his room. Nevertheless, he prepared the most minute and exact directions for making the cables, and for the erection of all the complicated parts of the superstructure. In 1873 he was compelled to give up work entirely, and spent several months in Europe, but on his return he resumed charge of the bridge, which he held until ... its completion in 1883. The structure he built, which is the longest suspension-bridge in the world, cost about $13,000,000. The picture shows it before completion. Its total length, including approaches, is 5,989 feet, of which the middle span takes up 1,596 feet, while the length of the suspended structure from anchorage to anchorage is 3,456 feet. He has since spent his time in directing the wire business in Trenton, New Jersey, and in the recuperation of his health. Besides various pamphlets on professional subjects, he is the author of “Military Suspension-Bridges” (Washington, 1862). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 303-304.


ROGERS, Elymas Payson, 1815-1861, African American, clergyman, poet, missionary, educator, prominent abolitionist.  Wrote anti-slavery satires, “A Poem on the Fugitive Slave Law,” and “The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise Considered,” 1856. (Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 554)


ROGERS, Fairman, civil engineer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 15 November, 1833. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1853, and two years later became professor of civil engineering, which chair he held until 1870, also lecturing on mechanics in the Franklin Institute from 1853 till 1865. Professor Rogers served as a volunteer in the National Cavalry in 1861, and then became a volunteer officer in the U. S. Engineers. Under the auspices of the U. S. Coast Survey in 1862 he completed the survey of Potomac River northward from Blakiston Island. In 1871 he was elected a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, and he is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and of the American Philosophical Society. He was one of the original members of the National Academy of Sciences, and has served on its committees and its council. Among his more important scientific papers are " Combinations of Mechanism Representing Mental Processes" (1874); "Notes on Grant's Difference Engine" (1874); and "Terrestrial Magnetism and the Magnetism of Iron Ships" (New York, 1883). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 305.


ROGERS, George Clarke, soldier, born in Piermont, Grafton County, New Hampshire, 22 November, 1838. He was educated in Vermont and Illinois, whither he moved in early life, began the study of the law while teaching, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. He earnestly supported Stephen A. Douglas during the presidential canvass of 1860, in which he made a reputation as an extemporaneous speaker. He was the first to raise a company in Lake County, Illinois, at the opening of the Civil War, became 1st lieutenant, 24 May, 1861, and soon afterward captain. At the battle of Shiloh he received four wounds, but refused to leave the field, and led his regiment in the final charge. He was at once promoted to lieutenant-colonel for his gallant conduct, and soon afterward was commissioned colonel for gallantry at the battle of the Hatchie. At Champion Hills he received three wounds, from one of which he has never fully recovered. To the engineering skill of Colonel Rogers were due the works at Allatoona, Georgia, where General John M. Corse (g. v.) checked General Hood in his flank movement after the capture of Atlanta. He commanded a brigade nearly two years, including the Atlanta Campaign, and on 13 March, 1805, was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers. He has practised law in Illinois and Kansas since the war, and was three times a delegate to National Democratic Conventions. He was made chairman of the board of pension appeals on 15 June, 1885. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 305.


ROGERS, Henry J., inventor, born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1811; died there, 20 August, 1879. He devised the code of signals by means of flags that is known by his name, which was adopted by the United States Navy in 1846 and modified in 1861. Mr. Rogers also devised a code of signals by means of colored lights, which was the first pyrotechnic system in the United States. He was one of the practical advisers of Samuel F. B. Morse in the construction of the first electro-magnetic recording telegraph-line in the United States which was established in 1844 between Washington and Baltimore. When the experiment had reached a successful issue he was appointed superintendent of the line, with his office in Baltimore, and there made numerous improvements in the system. Subsequently he invented several important telegraphic instruments, and he was one of the incorporators, on 15 March, 1845, of the Magnetic Telegraph Company. the first telegraph company in the United States. He was associated in 1848 in the incorporation of the American Telegraph Company, and had charge of its lines from Boston to New York. Mr. Rogers was its first superintendent, and was likewise superintendent of the Western Union, Bankers and Brokers', and Southern and Atlantic Lines. During the Civil War he was acting master in the volunteer navy, and he afterward returned to Baltimore, where he spent the remaining years of his life. Mr. Rogers published “Telegraph Dictionary and Seaman's Signal-Book” (Baltimore, 1845); “American Semaphoric Signal Book " (1847); “American Code of Marine Signals" (1854); and, with Walter F. Larkins, edited “Rogers's Commercial Code of Signals for all Nations” (1859). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 305-306.


ROGERS, Horatio, lawyer, born in Providence, Rhode Island, 18 May, 1836. His grandfather, John Rogers, and two of his great-uncles, were officers in the Revolution. The grandson was graduated at Brown in 1855, admitted to the bar, served with great credit during the Civil War, and was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers, 13 March, 1865. General Rogers has served for several years as attorney-general of Rhode Island. He is a prolific newspaper and magazine writer, and has delivered several orations on public occasions, the most notable being at the unveiling of the equestrian statue of General Burnside in Providence, Rhode Island, 4 July, 1887. He also published “The Private Libraries of Providence” (Providence, 1878), and annotated and published the “Journal of Lieutenant James M. Hadden, Chief of the English Artillery during the Burgoyne Campaign” (Albany, 1884), the prefatory chapter and the notes to which work are characterized by great research. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 306.


ROGERS, John, sculptor, born in Salem, Massachusetts, 30 October, 1829. He received his education at the Boston High-School, and afterward worked, first in a dry-goods store and later in a machine-shop, at Manchester, New Hampshire. While at this latter place his attention was first drawn to sculpture, and he began to model in clay in his leisure hours. In 1856 he sought work in Hannibal, Missouri, and in 1858 he visited Europe. On his return in 1859 he went to Chicago, where he modelled, for a charity fair, "The Checker-Players," a group in clay, which attracted much attention. He produced also some other groups, but " The Slave Auction," which was exhibited in New York in 1860, first brought him to the notice of the general public. This was the forerunner of the well-known war series of statuettes (1860-'5), which included, among others, the "Picket Guard," " One more Shot" (1864)," Taking the Oath and drawing Rations" (1865), and " Union Refugees," "Wounded Scout." and "Council of War" (1867-'8). His works on social subjects, most of which have been produced since the war. have also been very popular. Among these are " Coming to the Parson" (1870); "Checkers up at the Farm"; "The Charity Patient"; "Fetching the Doctor"; and "Going for the Cows" (1873). He has produced also several statuettes in illustration of passages in the poets, particularly Shakespeare. They include "Ha! I like not that,'' from "Othello "; "Is it so nominated in the Bond from the "Merchant of Venice" (1880); "Why don't You speak for Yourself" from " Miles Standish "; and a series of three groups illustrating Irving's " Rip Van Winkle " (1870). These statuette groups, about fifty in number, and each from eighteen to twenty inches in height, have nearly all been reproduced in composition, and have had large sides. He has been most successful in illustrating every-day life in its humorous and pathetic aspects, and " Rogers's Groups" have had a large share in elevating the artistic taste of the masses. Mr. Rogers has also executed an equestrian statue of General John F. Reynolds (1881—'3), which stands before the City-hall, Philadelphia, and in 1887 he exhibited "Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman," a bronze group. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 308.


ROGERS, J. V., , Ohio Anti-Slavery Society, Manager, 1838-39


ROGERS, John, Boston, Massachusetts, abolitionist, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Counsellor, 1840-1857.


ROGERS, Moses, New York, abolitionist, member of the New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves, founded 1785 (Basker, 2005, p. 223)


ROGERS, Nathaniel Peabody, 1794-1846, Concord, New Hampshire, newspaper publisher, editor, writer, abolitionist.  Established early anti-slavery newspaper, Herald of Freedom, in Concord, New Hampshire.  He edited the paper from 1838-1846.  Participated in the New Hampshire Anti-Slavery Society.  Served as a Manager of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS), 1837-1840, 1842-1844.  Rogers attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840.  Wrote anti-slavery articles.  His articles were reprinted in the New York Tribune under the pen name Old Man of the Mountain.  Supported the women’s rights movement.  (Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 309; The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. II. New York: James T. White, 1892, p. 320)

ROGERS, Nathaniel Peabody, editor, born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 3 June, 1794; died in Concord, New Hampshire, 16 October, 1846. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1816, and practised law until 1838, when he established in Concord, N. H., the “Herald of Freedom,” a pioneer anti-slavery newspaper. He also wrote for the New York “Tribune” under the signature of “The Old Man of the Mountain.” His fugitive writings were published, with a memoir, by the Reverend John Pierpont (Concord, 1847). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 309. 


ROGERS, Randolph, sculptor, born in Waterloo, near Auburn, New York, 6 July, 1825. Until the age of twenty-three he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in New York City. He then went to Italy and studied with Lorenzo Bartolini, at Rome, from 1848 till 1850. On his return he opened a studio in New York, where he remained until 1855. In that year he returned to Italy, where he has resided since that time. Among his earlier works are " Ruth," an ideal bust (1851); "Nydia" (1856); "Boy Skating," "Isaac," full length, and the statue of John Adams, in Mt. Auburn cemetery (1857). One of 'his best-known works, the bas-reliefs on the doors of the capitol at Washington, representing scenes in the life of Columbus, was designed in 1858, and cast in bronze at Munich. In 1861 he completed the Washington monument at Richmond, which had been left unfinished by Thomas Crawford, adding the statues of Marshall, Mason, and Nelson, for which Crawford had made no design, as well as some allegorical figures. His other works include "Angel of the Resurrection," on the monument of Colonel Samuel Colt, Hartford, Connecticut (1861-2); "Isaac," an ideal bust (1865); memorial monuments for Cincinnati (1863-'4), Providence (1871), Detroit (1872), and Worcester, Massachusetts (1874); "Lost Pleiad" (1875); "Genius of Connecticut," on the capitol at Hartford (1877); and an equestrian group of Indians, in bronze (1881). He has also executed portrait statues of Abraham Lincoln, for Philadelphia (1871), and William H. Seward, for New York (1876). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 309.


ROLL. A uniform beat of the drum, without variation for a certain length of time. Long-roll. A beat of the drum, as a signal for the assembling of troops at any parade.

Muster-roll. A return, forwarded every two months from every company in the service to the adj.-general and paymaster. It contains a list of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, specifying their pay, and the casualties arising from deaths, promotions, &c. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 536-537).


ROLLA, MISSOURI, August 1, 1864. 5th Missouri Militia Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 753.


ROLLA, MISSOURI, March 24, 1865. Detachment of 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Seven men of the 5th Missouri were detailed as an escort for a government train from Waynesville to Rolla. When 7 miles west of the latter place 3 of them went into a house for some purpose and the other 4 were surprised and compelled to surrender. The 3 in the house put up a stiff resistance when called upon to give themselves up and finally compelled the enemy to fly, releasing the 4 prisoners, 2 of whom were wounded in getting away. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 753.


ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI, September 22-23, 1864. Detachment of 3d U. S. Colored Cavalry. Major J. B. Cook with 330 men of the 3d U. S. colored cavalry, on the 22nd attacked the Confederate commands of Bradford and Montgomery, about 150 strong, near Rolling fork. The enemy was routed and pursued 15 miles to where they crossed the Sunflower river. Next day Cook met Captain Sutton, a Confederate commissary, with 12 men driving 300 head of cattle. Eight of the escort were killed and Sutton and the other 4 captured. Two hundred of the cattle were brought into the Federal camp. Both affairs are incidents of an expedition from Vicksburg to Deer creek. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 753.


ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI, November 22, 1864. 3d U. S. or 1st Mississippi Colored Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 753.


ROLLING PRAIRIE, ARKANSAS, January 23, 1864. Detachment of 11th Missouri Cavalry. Orderly Sergt. Isaac T. Jones and 24 men while carrying despatches were suddenly attacked on Rolling prairie by 60 guerrillas. Jones and 6 men were killed, 5 captured, who were afterward shot, and the balance escaped. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 753.


ROLLING PRAIRIE, ARKANSAS, February 4, 1864. 8th Missouri Militia Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 753.


ROLLINS, Edward Henry, 1824-1889.  Republican Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire.  Served in Congress July 1861-March 1867.  U.S. Senator 1877-1883.  Voted for Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery. (Appletons’, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 312-313; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, p. 120; Annals of Congress; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 18, p. 787; Congressional Globe)

ROLLINS, Edward Henry, senator, born in Somersworth (now Rollinsford), New Hampshire, 3 October, 1824. Several of his ancestors, who were among the first settlers of New Hampshire, served in the Revolutionary army, and his great-grandfather, Ichabod, was an active patriot and a member of the state convention that resolved itself into an independent government on 5 January, 1776. His name was given to the portion of Somersworth in which he resided. Edward Henry was educated in Dover, New Hampshire, and South Berwick, Maine, became a druggist's clerk in Concord and Boston, and subsequently entered business there on his own account. In 1855-'7 he was a member of the legislature, serving in the last year as speaker, and he was chairman of the New Hampshire delegation to the National Republican Convention of 1860. He served in Congress from 4 July, 1861, till 3 March, 1867, and was a firm opponent of the measure that was adopted in July, 1864, doubling the land-grant of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and making the government security a first instead of a second mortgage upon the road. From 1868 till 1876 he was secretary and treasurer of the company, and from 4 March, 1877, till 4 March, 1883, he was U. S. Senator. He was a founder of the First National Bank in Concord, is an owner of Fort George Island, Florida, arid is now (1888) president of the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad Company. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 312-313.


ROMAN, Andrew Bienvenue, governor of Louisiana, born in Opelousas, Louisiana, 5 March, 1785; died in New Orleans, Louisiana, 26 January, 1866. His ancestors emigrated from Provence, France. After his graduation at St. Mary's College, Maryland. in 1815, he settled as a sugar planter in St. James's Parish, and represented it many years in the legislature, of which he was speaker for four terms, and parish judge in 1826-'8. He was governor of Louisiana in 1831-'5, and again in 1839-'41. and during his administration founded Jefferson College, cleared the state water-courses of rafts, and formed a company to drain the swamp lands around New Orleans and protect it from overflow. He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1845, and was sent to Europe in 1848 as agent of a financial company. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1852, and of the Secession Convention of 1861. He had been a Whig in politics throughout his career, and used all his influence to prevent disunion. With John Forsyth and Martin J. Crawford he was appointed by the Confederate Provisional Congress to confer with the U. S. government in Washington for the purpose of securing a peaceable separation. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 313.


ROME, GEORGIA, May 15, 1864. (See Armuchee Creek.)


ROME, GEORGIA, May 17, 1864. 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps. When it was discovered on the morning of the 16th that the Confederates had evacuated Resaca, General Sherman ordered Brigadier-General J. C. Davis to move with his division down the west bank of the Oostanaula to the mouth of Armuchee creek and cooperate with the cavalry in that vicinity. Davis reached the mouth of the creek, but finding no bridge across the river at that point, as had been supposed, decided to push on to Rome and try to secure the bridge there. Notifying General Thomas of his intention, he moved toward Rome early on the 17th. French's division had arrived in Rome on the 16th. and when he learned of Davis' approach sent Ector's brigade across the river, part of the command being placed in the works and the remainder thrown forward as skirmishers. Davis parked his trains about 8 miles from the town, left two regiments as a guard and with the rest of the division pressed on in the hope of getting possession of the bridge. Mitchell's brigade, which was in the advance, drove in the enemy's cavalry until within range of the cannon on De Soto hill on the west side of the river. Davis made preparations for driving in the outposts in order to reconnoiter the enemy's works, but before his disposition of troops was fully made the enemy opened with a battery and at the same time a brigade of infantry advanced to attack. Dan McCook was ordered to move his brigade to the front and occupy a ridge to the left of Resaca road. Just in front of this was another ridge, offering advantages for a better and more extended line of battle, and McCook was ordered to advance and take possession of it. This movement was executed just in time to meet the enemy in about equal force ascending the opposite slope. Mitchell's brigade was promptly deployed on the right of the road, in supporting distance of McCook, and Morgan's was moved to the right to head off a flank movement. Morgan moved promptly, drove back the Confederate skirmishers and formed his line along the Alabama road, close to the enemy's works. McCook and Mitchell soon repulsed the attack on their fronts and at dark the enemy was compelled to seek the shelter of his intrenchments. Davis now established his line with his right resting on the Coosa r1ver and the left on the Oostanaula, to prevent either flank from being turned, and waited for daylight to renew the contest. During the night the Confederates withdrew toward Cassville. The next morning Davis occupied the town, captured a large amount of commissary and quartermaster stores, hospital supplies, etc., and all sorts of ammunition— enough to last his command for two weeks. The Union loss at Rome was about 150 in killed and wounded. French reported his casualties as being about 100. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 753-754.


ROME, GEORGIA, October 10-11, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. During Hood's march northward he feinted on Rome and then turned to cross the Coosa river 11 miles below the town, on the 10th. On the 11th Brigadier-General Kenner Garrard with his cavalry division was hurried by Sherman across the Oostanaula to threaten Hood's flanks as he passed north. Garrard drove a Confederate cavalry brigade into and beyond the Narrows leading into the Chattooga valley, capturing 2 field pieces and taking some prisoners. No other casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 754.


ROME CROSS ROADS, GEORGIA, May 16, 1864. 16th Army Corps. Pursuant to orders from Brigadier-General Dodge, commanding the corps, the 2nd division moved from Lay's ferry toward Calhoun on the morning of the 16th, the 3d brigade in advance, the 2nd in the center and the 1st in the rear, each brigade being equipped with a battery. When near the Rome cross-roads the skirmishers of the advanced brigade came upon the enemy in some force and, although they were compelled to fall back in the face of superior numbers, they succeeded in holding the enemy in check until the troops were placed in line with the 3d brigade on the right, the 2nd in the center (holding the road), and the 1st on the left. A strong skirmish line was then pushed forward, supported by one regiment from each brigade, and took possession of a hill commanding the cross-roads, upon which a section of Battery B, 1st Michigan, and Battery I, 1st Missouri, were placed and opened fire on the enemy's skirmishers. Captain Taylor was sent forward on the left with four companies of the 66th Illinois, with orders to move cautiously to the Rome road, which he was to seize and hold, if possible. He reached the road without opposition, but, either through misunderstanding his orders or his impetuosity, charged beyond it. where he unmasked a considerable force of the enemy and was driven back across the road. The remainder of the 66th Illinois and the 81st Ohio were hurried forward to his support and the Confederates repulsed. The position was then held until 4 p. m. when the division was ordered to fall back a short distance and take position on the left of the 4th division, which had come up in the meantime, and here the corps remained until the following day, when it was ordered to move toward Adairsville. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 754.

ROMNEY, WEST VIRGINIA, June 13, 1861. 11th Indiana Infantry. Colonel Lew Wallace, commanding the regiment, entered report under date of June 14, from Camp McGinnis, stating that he had learned of the impressing of Union men and other oppression of loyal citizens by several hundred rebel troops quartered at Romney. To disperse these troops he left Cumberland on the night of the 12th, with eight companies, about 500 men in all, and from New Creek Station marched over a fatiguing mountain route, arriving in the vicinity of Romney about 8 a. m. on the 13th. The chief obstacle in effecting entrance to the town was the crossing of a bridge over the south branch of the Potomac. The advance guard crossed the bridge on a run and was assaulted from a large house. The firing continued several minutes, when Wallace led a second company over the bridge and soon drove the enemy from the house mentioned. A battery stationed on a hill near fled when the Union troops appeared, and the town was entirely deserted by its inhabitants, except a "legion of negroes." A number of tents, some surgical stores, etc., were secured and Major Isaac Vandever was captured. After thoroughly searching the town Wallace returned to Cumberland. He says of this action: "My return was forced, owing to the fact that there was not a mile on the road that did not offer half a dozen positions for the ruin or rout of my regiment by a much smaller force." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 754-755.


ROMNEY, WEST VIRGINIA, September 23-25, 1861. Confederate reports make mention of a Federal descent upon Romney commencing about 11 p. m. of the 23d, with demonstrations at both Hanging Rock pass and Mechanicsburg gap, 6 miles apart. Hanging Rock pass was forced on the 24th and the Union troops approached with1n a mile and a half of Romney. The Confederates retired to Hanging Rock and the Federals started in the direction of the enemy's train. At 8 a. m. of the 25th it was learned that they had occupied Romney and a Confederate force was immediately sent to drive them out. The movement was successfully executed and the Federals were followed for some distance. Confederate losses amounted to 5 men wounded, and their opponents to 50 or 80 killed and wounded. Union reports make no mention of the affair. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 755.


ROMNEY, WEST VIRGINIA, October 26, 1861. Federal Troops under Brigadier-General B. F. Kelley. General Kelley reported to Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott, under date of October 28, from Camp Keys, Romney, stating that he had forthwith followed instructions to concentrate the available forces of his command on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at New Creek Station, 26 miles from Romney. This force consisted of a portion of the 7th, one company each of the 3d and 4th Virginia infantry, nine companies of the 8th Ohio, and Ordnance Sergt. Nixon and 10 men, who had volunteered for the occasion, with a 6-pounder gun. This detachment left New Creek Station at midnight of Friday, the 25th, and were joined by nine companies of the 4th Ohio infantry, with a detachment of infantry, who had volunteered to man 2 guns, the whole being concentrated near the junction of the New Creek and Northwestern roads on the morning of the 29th and thence moved toward Romney along the latter road. Colonel Johns' regiment of the Maryland brigade was ordered to move from the mouth of Patterson's creek, by way of Frankfort and Springfield, and to occupy the Winchester road at 3 p. m., the hour at which Kelley with the main body was to attack in front, cutting the enemy off from retreat to Winchester. Johns, however, was repulsed at Wire bridge and was thus unable to get into position. At 2:15 p. m., when Kelley was within 6 miles of Romney, the enemy opened fire upon the head of the column, and the artillery was ordered forward to reply. Further movements are thus described in Kelley's report: "We then continued our march, with the artillery in front, to the mouth of Mechanicsburg gap, distant 3 miles from Romney, a position the natural strength of which is unsurpassed by any other in the country. Skirmishers having been thrown out on the right and left, the column was moved through the gap, without, however, receiving a shot. When the head of the column emerged from the pass it was found that the artillery of the enemy was strongly posted on the east side of the river, in a cemetery lot, on an eminence commanding the entire western approaches to the town, and the infantry and dismounted cavalry occupied intrenchments on the heights, commanding the bridge and the ford. Our artillery was then ordered to open fire upon them, which was promptly replied to by the rebels, and for about an hour a severe cannonade took place between the artillery." Kelley found that the enemy's guns could not be silenced and gave orders for the whole column of infantry to move forward, charge through the bridge and attack the Confederates in their intrenchments. At the same time the cavalry was ordered to charge through the ford and under the bridge. Both movements were brilliantly executed and the enemy fled, after firing a few shots, the infantry throwing down their arms and dispersing in the woods and mountains. The cavalry and artillery were pursued by the Federal cavalry through the town and toward Winchester. They attempted to make a rally, but failed and were pursued along the Winchester road until all their artillery and baggage trains were captured. They were unable to even discharge or spike their pieces, which fell into the hands of their pursuers. The spoils of this raid included about 300 stands of small arms, a large quantity of ammunition, camp equipage, the entire baggage train and about 100 horses and mules. The Federal loss was 1 killed and about 20 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 755-756.


ROMNEY, WEST VIRGINIA, February 16, 1863. 116th Ohio Infantry. Colonel James Washburn, commanding the regiment, under date of February 17, sent a despatch to Brigadier-General Benjamin F. Kelley, in which he made the following statement: "Through the negligence and carelessness of the officer in command, we had a forage train and guard captured yesterday by a body of rebel cavalry. I have officially reported to General Milroy." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 756.


RONCKENDORFF, William, naval officer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 9 November, 1812. He entered the U.S. Navy as midshipman, 17 February, 1832, became passed midshipman. 23 June, 1838, was commissioned lieutenant, 28 June, 1843, and in June, 1845, was bearer of despatches to the commander-in-chief of the Pacific Squadron, with which he served during the Mexican War. He was in the "Savannah " at the capture and occupation of Monterey and points on the coast of California, and returned to New York in September, 1847. He commanded the steamer " M. W. Chapin " in the Paraguay Expedition of 1859 and on Coast Survey duty in 1860, was commissioned commander. 29 June, 1861, and had charge of the steamer "Water Witch" from 1 March till 12 October, 1861, in the Gulf Squadron. On 27 December, 1861, he took command of the steamer "San Jacinto," with which he was present in Hampton Roads to fight the " Merrimac," and participated in the attack on Sewell's Point, 15 May, 1862, and in the capture of Norfolk on 18 May. He was in the " Ticonderoga," searching for privateers in 1863, and in February, 1864, he commanded the monitor " Monadnock " in operations in James River until the evacuation of Richmond, when he cruised to Havana in search of the " Stonewall." In July, 1865, he was transferred to the monitor "Tonawanda." He was commissioned captain, 27 September, 1866, and was at Philadelphia until 1 October, 1870, when he took charge of the iron-clads at New Orleans until 8 April, 1872. He commanded the steamer "Canandaigua," of the North Atlantic Squadron, in 1872-'3, was promoted to commodore, 12 September, 1874, and was placed on the retired list on 9 November, 1874, by reason of his age. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 316.


ROOT, David, 1790-1873, Dover, New Hampshire, clergyman, abolitionist.  Manager, American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS), 1835-1840.  (Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 319)

ROOT, David, clergyman born in Pomfret, Vermont, in 1790; died in Chicago, Illinois, 30 August, 1873. He was graduated at Middlebury in 1816, entered the ministry, and was pastor successively of Presbyterian churches in Georgia and Cincinnati, Ohio, and of the Congregational Church in Dover, New Hampshire. In the latter city he identified himself with the Anti-Slavery Party, which he served with such devotion that he suffered persecution both there and in Waterbury, Connecticut, whence he subsequently moved. He then held pastorates in Guilford and New Haven, Connecticut, till 1852, when he retired. He gave $10,000 to endow a professorship in Beloit College, Wisconsin, $20,000 to Yale Theological Seminary, and $5,000 to the American Missionary Society. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 319.


ROOT, Joseph Pomeroy, 1826-1885, physician, politician, abolitionist.  Leader of the Kansas Free State movement.  Elected to Territorial State Senate under the Topeka Convention.  Later elected Lieutenant Governor of Kansas.  (Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 8, Pt. 1, p. 150)


ROPES, John Codman, author, born in St. Petersburg, Russia, 28 April. 1836. His father, a merchant, resided in St. Petersburg in 1832-'7. The son was graduated at Harvard in 1857 and at the law-school in 1801, and since has practised his profession. Mr. Ropes has taken much interest in military history. He has contributed to the publications of the Military Historical Society of Massachusetts and to periodicals, and is the author of "The Army under Pope," in "Campaigns of the Civil War "'(New York, 1881). and "The First Napoleon, a Sketch, Political and Military" (1885). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 320.


ROSE, Ernestine Louise, 1810-1892, born in Russia Poland as Ernestine Louise Polowsky.  Feminist and women’s rights activist, abolitionist.  Lectured on abolition, women’s rights/suffrage/human rights/equality.  Married to Robert Owen.  (Kolmerten, 1999)


ROSE, Ernestine Louise Lasmond Potowsky, reformer, born in Peterkoff, Poland, 18 January, 1810. She was born of Jewish parentage, but early abandoned that creed. In 1829 she visited England, became a disciple of Robert Dale Owen, and soon afterward married William E. Rose. In 1836 she came to New York and circulated the first petition for the property rights of married women, there being in 1837 a bill pending in the New York legislature on this subject. Mrs. Rose lectured in the chief cities of the United States, and was a delegate from the National Woman Suffrage Association to the Woman's Industrial Congress in Berlin on 9 November, 1869. Later she attended all of the woman's-rights conventions, and she has repeatedly addressed legislative assemblies. She has lived for some time in France and England, and frequently speaks on religious topics, temperance, and the enfranchisement of women. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 322.


ROSE, Thomas Ellwood, soldier, born in Bucks County. Pennsylvania, 12 March, 1830. He was educated in the common schools, entered the National army as a private in the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment in April, 1861, became captain in the 77th Pennsylvania in October of the same year, was engaged at Shiloh, the siege and battles of Corinth and Murfreesboro', became colonel in January, 1863, and fought at Liberty Gap and Chickamauga, where he was taken prisoner. He escaped at Weldon, North Carolina, was retaken the next day, and sent to Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, on 1 October, 1863. He almost immediately began preparations to escape. With the aid of Major Archibald G. Hamilton, of the 12th Kentucky Cavalry, he cut a hole in the solid masonry of the kitchen fire-place large enough to admit a man's body into the cellar below, their only implements being a broken jack-knife and an old chisel found in the prison, and their time of working between the hours of 10 p. m. and 4 a. m. This having been completed, a working-party of fifteen men was organized, under the command of Colonel Rose, who undertook the most dangerous and arduous part of the task. They cut through the stone wall of the cellar, and dug a tunnel fifty feet long through an earthen embankment, emerging at a point where the sentry could not see them, whence they found easy access to the street. This work occupied nearly three months, and during much of the time Colonel Rose and Major Hamilton worked alone. On the night of 9 February, 1864, the tunnel was completed, and 109 soldiers escaped, of whom 48 were retaken, including Colonel Rose. Rose was suffering from a broken ankle, and was in sight of the National lines when he was recaptured. He was again confined in Libby Prison, but left there on 30 April, 1864, and was ordered to Columbus, Ohio, where he was formally exchanged on 20 May, 1864, rejoined his regiment, and served with it from 6 June, 1864, until the close of the war, participating in the engagements around Atlanta and in the battles of Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville. He was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers "for gallant and meritorious service during the Civil War" on 22 July, 1865, and major and lieutenant-colonel in the regular army on 2 March, 1867, for Liberty Gap and Chickamauga. He became captain in the 11th U.S. Infantry in 1866, and in 1870 was transferred to the 16th Infantry. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 323.


ROSECRANS, William Starke, soldier, born in Kingston. Ohio, 6 September, 1819. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1842, standing fifth in his class, and entered the Corps of Engineers as brevet 2d lieutenant. He served for a year as assistant engineer in the construction of fortification at Hampton Roads, Virginia, and then returned to the Military Academy, where he remained until 1847 as assistant professor, first of natural and experimental philosophy, and then of engineering. Subsequently he served as superintending engineer in the repairs of Fort Adams, Rhode Island, on surveys of Taunton River and New Bedford Harbor, improvements of Providence and Newport Harbors, and at the Washington U.S. Navy-yard until 1 April, 1854, when he resigned, after attaining the rank of 1st lieutenant. He then established himself in Cincinnati as an architect and civil engineer. In 1855 he took charge of the Cannel Coal Company, Coal River, West Virginia, becoming also in 1856 president of the Coal River Navigation Company, and in  1857 he organized the Preston Coal-Oil Company, manufacturing kerosene. At the beginning of the Civil War he volunteered as aide to General George B. McClellan, who was then commanding the Department of the Ohio, and assisted in organizing and equipping home-guards. He was appointed chief engineer of Ohio, with the rank of colonel, on 9 June, 1861, and on 10 June was made colonel of the 23d Ohio Volunteers. Soon after organizing Camp Chase, at Columbus, Ohio, he received a commission as brigadier-general in the regular army, to date from 16 May, 1861; he took the field with command of a provisional brigade under General McClellan in western Virginia. His first important action was that of Rich Mountain, which he won on 11 July, 1861. After General McClellan's call to higher command, Rosecrans succeeded him, on 25 July, in the Department of the Ohio, which consisted of western Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. He had command of the National forces, and defeated General John B. Floyd at Carnifex Ferry, 10 September, 1861, and thwarted all Lee's attempts to gain a footing in western Virginia. These services were recognized by unanimous votes of thanks of the legislatures of Ohio and West Virginia, and in May he was ordered to report to General Henry W. Halleck, before Corinth, and given command of General Eleazar A. Paine's and General David Stanley's divisions in the Army of the Mississippi, with which he participated in the siege of Corinth. He succeeded General John Pope in the command of the Army of the Mississippi, and with four brigades fought the battle of Iuka on 19 September, where he defeated General Sterling Price, after which he returned to Corinth, where, anticipating an attack, he fortified the town, and on 3 and 4 October defeated the Confederate army under General Earl Van Dorn and General Sterling Price, which he pursued for forty miles when he was recalled. On 25 Oct: he was sent to Cincinnati, where he found orders awaiting him to supersede General Don Carlos Buell, and was made commander of the Department of the Cumberland, which was to consist of whatever territory south of the Cumberland he should wrest from the enemy. This command he held from 27 October, 1862, till 19 October, 1863, and during that time conducted a campaign remarkable for brilliant movements and heavy fighting. After reorganizing his army and providing twenty days' rations at Nashville, he advanced on the Confederate forces under General Braxton Bragg, on Stone River, 30 December, 1862. On the following morning the Confederates attacked the right wing of the National army and drove it back, while the left wing engaged the Confederate right. Meanwhile Rosecrans was obliged to re-enforce his right, and personally directed the reformation of the wing, thereby saving it from rout, although not without very hard fighting, in which both sides lost heavily. Two days later the battle was renewed by a furious assault on the National lines, but after a sharp contest the enemy was driven back with heavy loss. Unwilling to engage in a general action, the Confederate Army retreated to the line of Duck River, and the Army of the Cumberland occupied Murfreesboro’. This battle was one of the bloodiest in the war, and resulted in a loss of 9,511 by the National forces and 9,236 by the Confederates. As soon as Vicksburg was beyond the reach of possible succor from Bragg, by a brilliant flank movement Rosecrans dislodged him from his intrenched camps at Shelbyville and Tullahoma, and in fifteen days, 24 June to 7 July, 1863, drove him out of middle Tennessee. As soon as the railway was repaired, he occupied Bridgeport and Stevenson. From 7 July till 14 August railway bridges and trestles were rebuilt, the road and rolling-stock put in order, supplies pushed forward, and demonstrations made to conceal the point of crossing Tennessee River. From 14 August till 1 September he crossed the Cumberland mountains and the Tennessee River, and, threatening Bragg's communications, compelled him to withdraw from impregnable Chattanooga, 9 September, and retire behind the Chickamauga until General Joseph E. Longstreet's arrival with his corps. Rosecrans concentrated his forces with the utmost despatch to meet the inevitable combat. The battle was opened on the 19th by an attempt to gain possession of the road to Chattanooga, continued through the day, and resulted in Rosecrans defeating the attempt and planting General George H. Thomas's corps, re-enforced by General Richard W. Johnson's and General John M. Palmer's divisions, firmly upon that road; but during the night Longstreet came up, and was immediately given command of the Confederate left. On the following morning the contest was renewed by a determined attack on the National left and centre. At this moment, by the misinterpretation of an order. General Thomas J. Wood's division was withdrawn, leaving a ga in the centre, into which General Longstreet pressed his troops, forced Jefferson C. Davis's two brigades out of the line, and cut off Philip H. Sheridan's three brigades of the right, all of which, after a gallant but unsuccessful effort to stem this charge, were ordered to re-form on the Dry Valley road at the first good standing-ground in rear of the position they had lost. The two divisions of Horatio P. Van Cleve and Davis, going to succor the right centre, were partly shattered by this break, and four or five regiments were scattered through the woods, but most of the stragglers stopped with Sheridan's and Davis's commands. The remainder, nearly seven divisions, were unbroken, and continued the fight. The gallant General George H. Thomas, whose orders the night before, reiterated a few moments before this disaster, were to hold his position at all hazards, continued the fight with seven divisions, while General Rosecrans undertook to make such dispositions as would most effectually avert disaster in case the enemy should turn the position by advancing on the Dry Valley road, ' capture the remaining commissary stores, then in a valley two or three miles to the west. Fortunately, this advance was not made, the commissary-train was pushed into Chattanooga, the cavalry, ordered down, closed the ways behind the National right, and General Thomas, after the most desperate fighting, drew back at night to Rossville in pursuance of orders from General Rosecrans. On the 22d the army was concentrated at Chattanooga. The battle was a victory to the Confederates only in name; for Chattanooga, the objective point of the campaign, remained in the possession of the National forces. The total National loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, was 16.179; the Confederate loss, 17,804. General Rosecrans was relieved of his command on 23 October, and he was assigned to the Department of the Missouri in January, 1864, with headquarters in St. Louis, where he conducted the military operations that terminated in the defeat and expulsion from the state of the invading Confederate forces under General Price. He was placed on waiting orders at Cincinnati on 10 December, 1864, mustered out of the volunteer service on 15 January, 1866, and resigned from the army on 28 March. 1867, after receiving the brevet of major-general in the regular army for his services at the battle of Stone River. Later in 1867 he was offered the Democratic nomination for governor of California, but declined it. He was appointed minister to Mexico on 27 July, 1868, and held that office until 26 June, 1869, when he returned to the United States, and declined the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio. Subsequently he resumed the practice of engineering, and in 1872-'3 was engaged in an effort to initiate the construction of a vast system of narrow-gauge railways in Mexico, at the instance of President Juarez. He became president in 1871 of the San Jose Mining Company, and in 1878 of the Safety Powder Company in San Francisco. He was also intrusted with a charter for an interoceanic railway from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific, made by the Mexican republic under considerations urged by him when envoy to Mexico, and he was requested to use his influence to induce American railway building skill and capital to undertake the work. He memorialized congress to cultivate friendly and intimate commercial relations with Mexico, and to encourage and assist the material progress of that country: and at the instance of American and English railway builders, and of President Juarez, he went to Mexico. He had for fifteen months so ably discussed in the newspapers the benefits of railway construction to Mexico that the legislatures of seventeen of the Mexican states passed unanimous resolutions urging their national congress to enact the legislation advocated, and the governors of six other states sent official recommendations to the same effect. In 1876 General Rosecrans declined the Democratic nomination for Congress from Nevada. He was elected as a Democrat to Congress from California, served from 5 December, 1881, till 4 March, 1885, and was appointed register of the U. S. Treasury in June, 1885, which office he still (1888) holds. For a full account of the Tennessee Campaigns, see General Henry M. Cist's "Army of the Cumberland" (New "fork, 1882); "Rosecrans's Campaign with the 14th Army Corps, or the Army of the Cumberland." by W. D. Bickham (Cincinnati, 1863): and Van Home's "History of the Army of the Cumberland" (2 vols., Cincinnati. 1875). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 323-325.


ROSENGARTEN, Joseph George, lawyer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 14 July, 1835. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1852, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1850, studied in Heidelberg in 1857, and practised after his return to his native city. During the Civil War he served on the staff of General John F. Reynolds in the Army of the Potomac. He has delivered numerous addresses before various literary and charitable associations, including one before the Pennsylvania Historical Society on the " Life and Public Services of General John F. Reynolds" (Philadelphia, 1880), and contributed frequently to periodicals. He is the author of "The German Soldier in the Wars of the United States " (Philadelphia, 1881). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 326.


ROSEDALE, LOUISIANA, September 15, 1864. Detachment of 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry. This affair was an incident of an expedition from Morganza to the Fausse river under Lieutenant-Colonel Asa L. Gurney. Sixty Confederates were encountered at Rosedale. and after a short skirmish they fled to the woods to escape a Federal charge. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 756.


ROSENTHAL, Max, artist, born in Turck, Russian Poland, 23 November, 1833. In 1847 he went to Paris, where he studied lithography, drawing, and painting with M. Thurwanger, with whom he came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1840, where he completed his studies. He made the chromo-lithographic plates for what is believed to be the first fully illustrated book by this process in the United States, "'Wild Scenes and Wild Hunters." In 1854 he drew and lithographed an interior view of the old Masonic temple in Philadelphia, the plate being 22 by 25 inches, the largest chromo-lithograph that had been made in the country up to that time. He designed and executed the illustrations for various works, and during the Civil War followed the Army of the Potomac, and drew every camp, up to the battle of Gettysburg. These drawings he reproduced at the time. Up to 1884 he did miscellaneous works, including about 200 lithographs of distinguished Americans. After 1884 he turned his attention to etching, and he has since executed 150 portraits of eminent Americans and British officers, together with numerous large plates, among which are 'Storm Approaches," after the painting by Henry Mosler, illustrations for several of Longfellow's poems, and original etchings entitled "Doris, the Shepherd's Maiden," and "Marguerite." He is a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of fine arts, and one of the founders of the Sketch club. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 326.


ROSEVILLE, ARKANSAS, November 12, 1863. Two companies 2nd Kansas Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 756.


ROSEVILLE, ARKANSAS, March 29 to April 5, 1864. Troops of the District of the Frontier. These engagements were a series of skirmishes with guerrillas. On March 29, a body of Confederate cavalry attacked the small guard at Roseville, but were repulsed after a sharp fight, though they succeeded in burning 133 bales of government cotton. On Sunday, April 3, about 800 Confederates, under Colonel Battle, approached the town, and on the morning of the 4th about half of the force made an attack on the detachment guarding the cotton. Again they were driven off. The garrison at Roseville numbered 120 men, but Colonel W. R. Judson, commanding the district, sent 25 cavalry to reinforce the post, and another attack was repulsed on the morning of the 5th. In these actions the Union loss was 4 killed and 10 wounded. The known loss of the enemy was 16 killed and'35 wounded, but it was thought to be heavier. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 756.


ROSS, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897, physician, anti-slavery activist, abolitionist.  Ross became active in the anti-slavery movement in 1856.  Ross was an agent for the Underground Railroad, aiding escaping slaves to Canada.  He was known among fugitive slaves as the “Birdman,” because he used the cover of being an ornithologist.  He was a personal friend of radical abolitionist John Brown.  During the Civil War, he served as a surgeon in the Union Army.  Afterwards, he was employed as a confidential correspondent to President Abraham Lincoln in Canada. (Mabee, 1970, p. 285; Rodriguez, 2007; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 327)

ROSS, Alexander Milton, Canadian naturalist, born in Belleville, Ont., 13 December, 1832. He attended school at Belleville till his eleventh year, when the death of his father compelled his removal. He evinced a great love for natural history at an early age. In his boyhood he came to New York City, and after struggling with many adversities became a compositor on the “Evening Post.” William Cullen Bryant, its editor, was much interested in him, and remained his friend ever afterward. During this period he became acquainted with Garibaldi, who was then a resident of New York; and in 1874 Ross was instrumental in securing a pension for Garibaldi from the Italian government. In 1851 he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Valentine Mott, in New York, and after four years of unremitting toil, working as a compositor during the day and studying medicine at night, he received his degree of M. D. in 1855. Soon after his graduation he was appointed a surgeon in the forces in Nicaragua, under William Walker. In 1856 he became actively engaged in the anti-slavery struggle in the United States becoming a personal friend of John Brown. During the Civil War he served for a short time as a surgeon in the National army, and afterward he was employed by President Lincoln as presidential correspondent in Canada, where he rendered important services to the U. S. government, receiving the thanks of the president and Sec. Seward. At the close of the war Dr. Ross offered his services to President Juarez of Mexico, and received the appointment of surgeon in the Mexican army. After the overthrow of the empire he returned to Canada and began to collect and classify the fauna and flora of that country, a work that had never before been attempted by a native. He has collected and classified hundreds of species of birds, eggs, mammals, reptiles, and fresh-water fish, 3,400 species of insects, and 2,000 species of Canadian flora. After his return to Canada he became a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Quebec and Ontario, and was one of the founders of the Society for the Diffusion of Physiological Knowledge in 1881. Dr. Ross has been appointed Treasurer and Commissioner of Agriculture for the province of Ontario, and he has moved from Montreal to Toronto. He was knighted by the emperor of Russia, and by the kings of Italy, Greece, and Saxony in 1876, and by the king of Portugal in 1877. He was appointed consul in Canada by the kings of Belgium and Denmark, and received the decoration of the “Académie Française” from the government of France in 1879. He is a member of many scientific societies, and is the author of “Recollections of an Abolitionist” (Montreal, 1867); “Birds of Canada” (1872); “Butterflies and Moths of Canada” (1873); “Flora of Canada” (1873); “Forest Trees of Canada” (1874); “Ferns and Wild Flowers of Canada” (1877); “Mammals, Reptiles, and Fresh-water Fishes of Canada” (1878); “Vaccination a Medical Delusion” (1885); and “Medical Practice of the Future” (1887). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 327.


ROSS, Edmund Gibson, 1826-1907, U.S. Senator.  Editor, Kansas Tribune, Free State Newspaper.  (Appletons’, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 327-328; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, p. 175; Annals of Congress; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 18, p. 905)

ROSS, Edmund Gibson, senator, born in Ashland, Ohio, 7 December, 1826. He was apprenticed at an early age to a printer, received a limited education, and in 1847 moved to Wisconsin, where he was employed in the office of the Milwaukee “Sentinel” for four years. He went to Kansas in 1856, was a member of the Kansas Constitutional Convention in 1859, and served in the legislature until 1861. He was also editor of the Kansas “State Record” and the Kansas “Tribune,” which was the only Free-state paper in the territory at that time, the others having been destroyed. In 1862 he enlisted in the National army as a private, and in 1865 became major. On his return to Kansas, after the war, he was appointed to succeed James H. Lane in the U. S. Senate, and was elected to fill out the term, serving from 25 July, 1866, till 4 March, 1871. He voted against the impeachment of President Johnson, thus offending the Republican Party, with which he had always acted, and was charged with having adopted this course from mercenary and corrupt motives. After his term ended he returned to Kansas, united with the Democratic Party, and was defeated as their candidate for governor in 1880. In 1882 he moved to New Mexico, where he published a newspaper, and in May, 1885, was appointed by President Cleveland governor of that territory. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 327-328.     


ROSS, Lawrence Sullivan, soldier, born in Bentonsport, Iowa, 27 September, 1838. He was graduated at Florence Wesleyan University, Florence, Alabama, commanded Texas frontier troops under General Samuel Houston, and became colonel of the 6th Texas Regiment of Cavalry in the Confederate Army on 24 May, 1862. He was made brigadier-general 21 December, 1863, and led a brigade in Wheeler's cavalry corps of the Army of Tennessee. In 1886 General Ross became governor of Texas. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 331.


ROSS, Leonard Fulton, soldier, born in Fulton County, Illinois, 18 July, 1823. He was educated in the common schools of Illinois and at Jacksonville College, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1845. In 1846 he joined the 4th Illinois Volunteers for the Mexican War, became 1st lieutenant, and was commended for services at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo, commanding the body-guard of General James Shields while making a difficult reconnaissance. He also bore important despatches from Metamora to General Zachary Taylor and to General Robert Patterson in Victoria, Mexico. After the war he resumed his practice, and was probate judge for six years. He was chosen in May, 1861, colonel of the 17th Illinois Regiment, which he had raised, and served with it in Missouri and Kentucky, bearing himself with great gallantry at Fredericktown, Missouri, 21 October, 1861, where his horse was shot under him. In 1862 he was in command of Fort Girardeau, Missouri. He was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers on 25 April, 1862, after commanding a brigade since the capture of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, 16 February, 1862. After the evacuation of Corinth, 30 May, 1862, he was promoted to the command of a division and stationed at Bolivar, Tennessee. In 1867 he was appointed by President Johnson collector of internal revenue for the 9th District of Illinois. He has been three times a delegate to National Republican Conventions, and was twice a defeated candidate for Congress. Since 1860 he has given his attention to farming and has been interested in various agricultural societies. He has imported fine stock into this country, and now (1888) has a large farm in Iowa.—His brother, Lewis W, was a representative in Congress in 1863-'9. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 331.


ROSSER, Leonidas, clergyman, born in Petersburg, Virginia, 31 July, 1815. He was graduated at Wesleyan University in 1838, and then entered the New York Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1839 he was transferred to the Virginia Conference, where he has since been stationed, and was presiding elder of the districts of Fredericksburg in 1852-'3, Norfolk in 18530, Lynchburg in 1850-'8, Richmond in 1865-'9, and Randolph Macon in 1877-'81. Dr. Rosser was delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, south, every four years from 1850 till 1866, and during the Civil War was general missionary to the Confederate Army. In 1858 the degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Emory and Henry College, and during 1858-"9 he edited the Richmond "Christian Advocate." His publications include " Baptism, its Nature, Obligation, Mode, Subjects, and Benefits" (Richmond, 1843); "Experimental Religion, embracing Justification, Regeneration. Sanctification, and the Witness of the Spirit" (1854): "Class-Meetings"(1855); "Recognition in Heaven"(1856); "Reply to Howell's ' Evils of Infant Baptism' " (1850): and " Open Communion " (1858). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 332.


ROSSER, Thomas Lafayette, soldier, born in Campbell County, Virginia. 15 October, 1830. He entered the U. S. Military Academy in 1850. but when Virginia seceded from the Union, although in the graduating class and about to receive a commission in the U. S. Army, he resigned and entered the Confederate army as 1st lieutenant of artillery. His services soon gained him promotion, and he was made captain in October, 1861, and lieutenant-colonel of artillery in June, 1862. During the same month he was given command of a regiment of cavalry and attached to the Army of Northern Virginia. He attained the rank of brigadier-general on 10 October, 1863, and was given command of the Virginia cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley. In this capacity he served under General Jubal A. Early when the latter was ordered to command the Confederate forces in the valley of the Shenandoah, and was present at the battle of Cedar Creek. General Rosser was conspicuous for his services in this campaign, and was constantly opposed by General George A. Custer, who had been his classmate at the Military Academy. In November, 1864, he was made a major-general of cavalry. After the war he turned his attention to engineering, and had charge of the Dakota, Yellowstone, and Missouri Divisions of the Northern Pacific Railway from 1870 till 1879. He held the office of chief engineer of the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1881-'2, and is now (1888) president and general manager of the New South Mining and Improvement Company, and consulting engineer of the Charleston, Cincinnati, and Chicago Railroad Company. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 332.

ROSS LANDING, ARKANSAS, February 14, 1864. 51st U. S. Colored Infantry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 756.


ROSSVILLE, GEORGIA, September 21, 1864. Detachments of 14th Army Corps and Cavalry of Army of the Cumberland. After the battle of Chickamauga Thomas' army fell back to Rossville, on Missionary ridge, and on the night of the 20th the 1st and 2nd divisions of the 14th corps, under Baird and Negley, respectively, were posted to' guard the main approaches to the position. McCook's cavalry division, in Dry Valley, connected with Thomas' right and dur1ng the 21st, although many times hard pressed, succeeded in repulsing every attack of the enemy. Minty's brigade of Crook's division found itself at daylight directly in front of Thomas' line of battle and for 2 hours sk1rmished with the enemy while the disposition of the troops was being completed. Then Minty retired to Rossville, and the Confederates following found Baird and Negley too strongly posted to be dislodged. Later in the day an attempt to dislodge them by the use of artillery proved futile, and at dark the enemy withdrew. The total casualties were not reported, though Baird reported 5 of his men killed and Minty lost 10 killed and 14 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 756-757.


ROSTER OR ROLLSTER. Lists of officers for duty. The principle which governs details for duty is from the eldest down; longest off duty first on. If an officer's tour of duty for armed service, court-martial, or fatigue happen when he is upon either duty, he is credited with both duties. A regiment, or detachment, detailed for any duty, receives credit for the duty when it marches off parade to perform the duty, but not if it is dismissed on parade. Officers on inlying pickets are subject to all details. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 537).


Roswell, Georgia, July 5-9, 1864. (See Chattahoochee River.)


ROTTENWOOD CREEK, GEORGIA, July 4, 1864. (See Ruff's Station.)


ROUGH AND READY, GEORGIA, August 31, 1864. (See Jonesboro, same date.)


ROUGH AND READY, GEORGIA, November 15, 1864. (See Stockbridge.)


ROUND AWAY BAYOU, LOUISIANA, March 31, 1863. (See Richmond.)


ROUND HILL, ARKANSAS, July 7, 1862. (See Hill's Plantation.)


ROUND MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE, August 27, 1862. 10th Brigade, 2nd Army Corps. The brigade, commanded by Colonel William Grose, was engaged in escorting a tram toward Murfreesboro. About 4 p. m. on the 27th the rear-guard was attacked by Forrest's cavalry at Round mountain, near Woodbury. Forrest's object was to capture the train, but instead he struck the 23d Kentucky, under Colonel Mundy, and was handsomely repulsed. Mundy, with his regiment, part of the 36th Indiana, and Mendenhall's battery, pursued Forrest for about 2 miles and scattered his command in all directions, killing and wounding several, though the exact number was not learned. The Federal loss was 5 men wounded. Round Ponds, Missouri, August 1, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. A train of 30 wagons with an escort of 20 men was surprised at Round Ponds, near Castor river, on the night of the 1st. Ten of the guard were killed outright and others were mortally wounded. The horses were all lost, but the mules were recovered after the guerrillas had burned the train and left. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 757.


ROUNDS. Visiting rounds; grand rounds; visiting small posts, guards, and sentinels by commanders or staff officers. He who makes the round is alone, or accompanied according to grade and circumstances. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 537).


ROUSSEAU'S RAID, July 10-22, 1864. Detached Troops, Army of the Cumberland. In the Atlanta campaign General Sherman ordered Major-General Lovell H. Rousseau to undertake the destruction of the West Point & Montgomery railroad, which was one of the principal lines of Confederate supply. Rousseau selected parts of the 8th Indiana, 5th la., 9th Ohio, 2nd Kentucky, and 4th Tennessee cavalry, and Battery E, 1st Michigan artillery, for the expedition, and started on his mission on July 10th. During the movements skirmishes occurred at Auburn, Alabama, Chehaw Station, Jackson's ford on the Coosa river, and at Ten Island ford, each of which is described under the appropriate head. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 757.


ROUT. To put to rout is to defeat and throw into confusion. It is not a retreat in good order, but also implies dispersion. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 537).


ROUTE. An open road; the course of march of troops. Instructions for the march of detachments, specifying daily marches, means of supply, are given from the head-quarters of an army in the field, and are called marching routes. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. ).


ROVER, TENNESSEE, January 31, 1863. 1st Cavalry Brigade, 20th Army Corps. The cavalry advance of an expedition from Murfreesboro to Franklin encountered Confederate pickets about a mile and a half from Rover. They were driven in by a portion of the 3d Kentucky for over a mile, when the enemy was discovered in force drawn up in line of battle. The 7th Pennsylvania cavalry was ordered to charge and led by Captain W. H. Jennings, it executed the movement in fine order, driving the Confederates a mile beyond the town to Unionville. Six officers and 43 men were captured, and 49 wounded by the saber in the charge. No casualties were sustained by the Union participants. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 757.


ROVER, TENNESSEE, February 13, 1863. 1st Cavalry Brigade, 20th Army Corps. On the return of an expedition from Murfreesboro to Franklin Colonel Robert H. G. Minty learned that some 500 Confederate cavalry were encamped near Rover. He pressed forward to within 3 miles of the town and then sent the 3d Kentucky to get to the rear, but, the movement taking more time than anticipated, Minty had attacked and driven the enemy before the Kentucky regiment had reached its position. The casualties were not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 757.


ROVER, TENNESSEE, February 19, 1863. The only official mention of this affair is a communication from Brigadier-General E. C. Walthall, of the Confederate army, which states that Lieutenant-Colonel Prather had a skirmish late in the afternoon with two or three regiments, with artillery, and had sent back for reinforcements. No casualties were mentioned, but from the tone of the despatch it is evident that the Confederates got the worst of the engagement. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 757-758.


ROVER, TENNESSEE, March 4, 1863. Cavalry Detachment, Army of the Cumberland. Colonel Robert H. G. Minty during an expedition from Murfreesboro toward Columbia was ordered to drive the enemy from Rover. A mile and a half from the town the pickets were met and driven in to where 400 more were posted, apparently determined to make a stand. The 4th Michigan cavalry was detached and ordered to gain the Shelbyville pike in order to shut off the Confederate retreat, but the enemy anticipating the movement had started to retire, when they were charged by the 7th Pennsylvania and the 4th U. S. cavalry and completely routed. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 758.


ROVER, TENNESSEE, March 13, 1863. Brigadier-General John A. Wharton (Confederate) reports that Federal cavalry engaged his pickets near Rover on the 13th, and while the pickets were engaged in front another Confederate force attacked on the flank, completely routing the Federals. Wharton's report is the only official mention of the affair, so there is no way of knowing what Union troops participated. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 758.


ROVER, TENNESSEE, May 5, 1863. Detachment of 1st Tennessee Cavalry. Brigadier-General J. M. Schofield sent the following despatch from Triune on May 6: "Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow, while on a reconnaissance yesterday, charged through a rebel cavalry camp at Rover; lost 2 men and captured 4." Rover, Tennessee, June 23, 1863. 1st Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland. This affair was an incident of the Middle Tennessee campaign. The cavalry under Brigadier-General Robert B. Mitchell struck the enemy's pickets first near Eagleville, forcing them back upon their reserves, which were rapidly concentrating. The Federal troopers continued to drive the Confederates until their encampment at Rover was reached. There a brief stand was made, but the enemy was easily driven from his encampment and the town and a few stores were burned. From Rover the Confederates fell back to a strong elevated position, the advanced picket line of the force at Unionville, and opened on the Union advance with artillery. By some unknown way they were enabled to bring 2 pieces to bear on the Federal right. The 4th Kentucky, with the aid of the 1st East Tennessee and the 1st Wisconsin, repulsed the attack, and the enemy was driven to his reserves at Unionville. The casualties were not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 758.


ROWANTY CREEK, VIRGINIA, March 29, 1865. (See Quaker Road.)


ROWE'S STATION, SOUTH CAROLINA, February 12. 1865. (See Orangeburg.) Rowlesburg, West Virginia, April 26, 1863. The Confederate reports of Jones' raid on the Northwestern railroad mention an attack made by Jones on the Federal garrison of 300 at Rowlesburg after the pickets had been driven in. The attack was. repulsed. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 758.


ROWLETT'S STATION, KENTUCKY, December 17, 1861. 32nd Indiana Infantry. At noon of the 17th skirmishers began to annoy four companies of the 32nd Indiana doing outpost duty at Rowlett's station, or Woodsonville, near Munfordville. Company B was sent out and drove them off, discovering while doing so the approach of a considerable body of Confederate infantry. Company C, out reconnoitering in a southerly direction, ran upon a company of Texas Rangers, and drove it back. The alarm was sounded in the camp, and the whole regiment placed in position. Three times the enemy charged unsuccessfully, the conflict becoming a hand-to-hand fight before they withdrew, believing that reinforcements had come to the Union command, and the Indianians also withdrew, fearing that they would be unable to hold their position against another charge. The Union loss was 11 killed, 22 wounded and 5 missing, while the enemy suffered to the extent of 4 killed and 9 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 759.


RUBY, George Thompson, 1841-1882, African American, politician, journalist, editor, abolitionist. Writer, editor, Kansas Anti-Slavery publication, Crusader of Freedom.  Correspondent for William Lloyd Garrison’s Anti-Slavery Standard. Wrote biography of militant abolitionist John Brown. (Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 606)


RUCKERSVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, October 1, 1862. Cavalry Detachment of the Army of the Mississippi. In a despatch to General Grant on October 2, Major-General William S. Rosecrans says: "The cavalry took 50 privates, 1 captain, and chaplain prisoners at Ruckersville yesterday, after killing 1 and wounding several. Captured an ambulance and mules with sick officer. A rebel picket was killed at Duncan's mill."  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 759.


RUCKERSVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, October 7, 1862. McPherson's Provisional Division. During the pursuit of the Confederates after the battle of Corinth the advance of the division came up with the enemy, mostly cavalry, well posted, about a mile and a half north of Ruckersville. For a time an effectual check was put to the Federal skirmishers, but a few shells from Powell's battery routed the Confederates and the town was entered without further molestation. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 759.


RUDE'S HILL, VIRGINIA, May 14, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry Division of Army of West Virginia. Major Timothy Quinn, with some 450 cavalry, while on a reconnaissance came upon the Confederates posted on Rude's hill. Quinn masked his main force behind a hill and sent out two parties of 50 and 60 men, respectively, which both succeeded in dislodging the enemy. About 1 p. m. the Confederates charged, but they were repulsed and driven until after 5 p. m., the pursuit continuing through New Market. The Union command had 1 man killed and 3 wounded. Rude's Hill, Virginia, September 24, 1864. (See Mount Jackson, same date.)  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 759.


RUDE'S HILL, VIRGINIA, November 22, 1864. 2nd and 3d Cavalry Divisions, Army of the Shenandoah. Major-General A. T. A. Torbert, commanding the cavalry corps, was ordered to make a reconnaissance up the valley, and proceeded with the two divisions as far as Rude's hill, where he encountered and drove back the Confederate cavalry some distance, when a large force of infantry and artillery was developed in line of battle. Torbert directed General Powell to form the 2nd division to attack the enemy, and supported him with Pennington's brigade of Custer's division, but finding the Confederates too strong to assault, Pennington was ordered to take three regiments of his command back to Mount Jackson and form a new line to cover the retreat of the main body. Through this line Torbert retired with the command, Pennington bringing up the rear and repelling several attacks of the enemy, who pursued as far as Edenburg. The Union loss was about 40 in killed, wounded and missing. The Confederate loss was not learned.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 759.


RUFF'S STATION, GEORGIA, July 3-4, 1864. Army of the Cumberland. When it was discovered on the morning of July 3 that the Confederates had evacuated their works on Kennesaw mountain, Sherman ordered an immediate pursuit by different routes. The Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major-General George H. Thomas, moved from Marietta about 9 a. m., with Palmer's corps in the center, on the main road to Atlanta, Hooker's on the right and Howard's on the left. About 4 miles from Marietta the enemy's rear-guard was overtaken and skirmishing continued until the main body of Confederates was encountered in the works previously constructed at Ruff's (or Neal Dow) station. This line of Confederate works extended from Rottenwood creek east of the railroad to Nickajack creek on the west. When the enemy made his stand here Howard was brought in front of the extreme right of the Confederate position, extending from Ruff's station to Rottenwood creek. Stanley's division was deployed with the right resting on the railroad and the other two divisions were massed in reserve. The main line of works near the railroad was a little south of the station, at a place called Smyrna camp-ground. Early on the morning of the 4th Newton's and Wood's divisions were moved up into line with Stanley's and about 9 o'clock Stanley was ordered to assault the enemy's skirmish line, which was an unusually strong one, intrenched in rifle pits. At the same time Newton and Wood were directed to move forward with Stanley. In the face of heavy fire of artillery and musketry the line advanced. Stanley forced the skirmishers to retire within the main works, while Wood and Newton in the direction of Rottenwood creek bent back the Confederate line toward the railroad. That night the enemy evacuated his works and fell back toward the Chattahoochee river. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 759-760.


RUGGLES, David, 1810-1849, New York City, free African American, journalist, publisher, editor, anti-slavery activist and abolitionist leader.  Agent for Emancipator and Journal of Public Morals of the American Anti-Slavery Society.  Founded Mirror of Liberty, first Black magazine.  President of the New York Committee of Vigilance, 1835-1839.  He searched the city for fugitive slaves being held there.  He helped six former slaves.  For this, he was arrested and jailed.  Also active in the Underground Railroad, which aided fugitive slaves.  He was an advocate of the Free Produce movement.  Wrote pamphlet, “The Extinguisher.”  Contributed articles to abolitionist newspapers, The Emancipator and The Liberator. 

(Dumond, 1961, p. 340; Hodges, 2010; Mabee, 1970, pp. 84-85, 107-108, 113-114, 278, 285, 397n1, 398n20, 415n16; Rodriguez, 2007, p. 45; Sorin, 1971, pp. 34, 84n, 87, 113; Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 624; Hinks, Peter P., & John R. McKivigan, Eds., Encyclopedia of Antislavery and Abolition.  Westport, Connecticut, Greenwood, 2007, Vol. 2, pp. 584-585)


Rural Hill, Tennessee, November 18, 1862. 8th Kentucky Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 760.


RURAL HILL, TENNESSEE, December 20, 1862. Detachment of 4th Michigan Cavalry. Colonel Robert H. G. Minty, with his regiment, while on a reconnaissance to Rural hill, encountered a small squad of Confederate cavalry, who fired and retreated at a gallop. No casualties were reported. Rush Creek, Nebraska, February 8-9, 1865. Detachments of nth Ohio and 7th Iowa Cavalry. As an incident of the operations against the Indians on the North Platte river, a detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel William O. Collins was attacked by about 2,000 warriors. The Indians charged furiously at first, but were repulsed, and then began their fighting from behind hillocks and ravines. This continued all day. At one time it became necessary to dislodge a group of Indians near enough to effectually annoy the men. Fifteen men under Lieutenant Patton performed the task, losing 2 men killed. By dark the red men had withdrawn out of range. Next morning they returned, but after some futile skirmishing withdrew into the bluffs. Besides the 2 men killed the white men lost 9 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 760.


RUSSELL'S FORD, VIRGINIA, October 10, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. During the Bristoe campaign the Confederate cavalry in force crossed Robertson's river at Russell's ford on the morning of the 10th and attacked the 5th New York cavalry picketing that place. The pickets fell back slowly toward James City, fighting all the way. Brigadier-General Henry E. Davies, Jr., commanding the brigade, formed a line of battle near the town and threw out a strong skirmish line. The Confederates advanced in heavy column until they reached a point commanded by Davies' artillery, when they were compelled to fall back. Their skirmishers, however, kept up a spirited fire all day and at one time they brought a battery into position, but it was soon driven off by Elder's guns. The casualties were not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 760.


RUSSELL, George W., Worcester, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1836-37


RUSSELL'S HOUSE, MISSISSIPPI, May 17, 1862. 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee. As part of the siege of Corinth, General Sherman ordered Morgan L. Smith's brigade to occupy a position at Russell's house. On reaching the causeway before the house Smith halted and deployed his skirmishers, one company of the 8th Missouri on each side of the road. As they advanced they were fired on from the flanks and other troops were sent to deploy and extend the line until ten companies, eight of the 8th Missouri and two of the 55th Illinois, were engaged. As soon as opportunity offered a battery was brought to bear and in a short time the Confederates began to retreat, though contesting every foot of the ground. Thirteen of their dead were left on the field. Smith had 10 men killed and 31 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 760-761.


RUSSELLVILLE, ALABAMA, July 3, 1862. Detachment, 1st Ohio Cavalry. Companies B and G were sent out on a scouting expedition toward Russellville. About 3 a. m. on the 3d their camp was attacked by Roddey's Confederate cavalry, estimated at 250. Captain Emery of Company B was severely wounded and 4 men were killed. The enemy lost 4 killed and 1 captured. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 761.


RUSSELLVILLE, ALABAMA, December 31, 1864. Detachment of Steedman's Cavalry. The detachment, consisting of the 15th Pennsylvania, parts of the 10th, 12th and 13th Indiana and 2nd Tennessee, commanded by Colonel W. J. Palmer, was in pursuit of Roddey's cavalry. Palmer reached Leighton, 13 miles west of Courtland about 1 p. m. on the 30th, having skirmished with Roddey all the way from Town creek. While at Leighton Palmer learned that Hood's pontoon train, guarded by a detachment of Armstrong's cavalry, had passed through that town the day before and was then encamped at La Grange. He decided to follow and capture the train. Starting before daylight on the 31st he took a road that would enable him to avoid Armstrong's men, but upon reaching La Grange he encountered part of Roddey's command, and learned that the train had gone on toward Russellville. After driving the Confederates out of La Grange, Palmer hastened on to Russellville, where he met another party of Roddey's cavalry that had just arrived from Tuscumbia and engaged them, driving them from the town and capturing a few prisoners. He then pushed on after the train, which was overtaken late in the day about 10 miles from Russellville. The pontoniers cut loose part of the mules, mounted them and made their escape, leaving^ the rest of the animals hitched to the wagons. The train. consisting of 200 wagons, 78 pontoon boats, engineering instruments, several mules and oxen, and a few prisoners, were captured without the loss of a man. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 761.


RUSSELLVILLE, KENTUCKY, July 29, 1862. 26th Kentucky Infantry. An attack was made upon the camp of the 26th Kentucky by a body of guerrillas and Lieutenant Burgher was killed and Captain Morrow badly wounded. Russellville, Kentucky, September 30, 1862. Detachments of the 70th Indiana and 8th Kentucky Infantry. Colonel Sanders D. Bruce, of the 20th Kentucky infantry, reported from Bowling Green on October r, as follows: "Rebels burnt bridge at Black Lick, near Auburn, Monday night. I sent 70th Indiana and part of 8th Kentucky down, rebuilt the bridge, surprised the enemy at Russellville, and routed them completely, killing and wounding 50, taking 15 prisoners and 40 horses and saddles. Also routed a party at Glasgow yesterday, taking 10 prisoners: among them Lieutenant Crews. Captain J. M. Brown and Lieutenant Thomas." Russellville, Kentucky, June 28. 1863. Detachment of 3d Kentucky Cavalry. A portion of the regiment in pursuit of a band of guerrillas thought to be aiming for the railroad near Russellville attacked and defeated them, several of the enemy being wounded and some captured. A Union sergeant was wounded, which was the only casualty on that side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 761.


RUSSELLVILLE, MISSOURI, October 9, 1864. Detachment of the Cavalry Corps, Department of Missouri. During the pursuit of Price in his Missouri expedition the Federal advance had such heavy skirmishing with his rear-guard that it was twice necessary near Russellville to bring the artillery into action before further progress could be made. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, July 1, 1862. 1st Ohio Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, December 10, 1863. Detachment of Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio. While in pursuit of Longstreet, after his retirement from before Knoxville, a detachment of Shackelford's cavalry under Colonel Pennebaker came upon the enemy's pickets beyond Morristown on the Russellville road and drove them in. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, October 28, 1864. The report of Confederate Colonel John B. Palmer of the operations in Tennessee states that his command effectually checked some Federal cavalry which was driving Vaughn's cavalry through Russellville. This is the only official mention of the affair and contains no report of casualties. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, November 11, 1864. A despatch from Major Sam Tool to Brigadier-General J. C. Vaughn (Confederate), dated at Warrensburg, Virginia, on the 12th, contains the following: "I struck the Yankees at Russellville, 210 strong, at 10 o'clock last night. Drove them toward the gap." Union reports make no mention of this affair. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


Russellville, Tennessee, November 14, 1864. (See Bull's Gap, November 11-13, 1864.)


RUTHERFORD CREEK, TENNESSEE, March 10-11, 1863. Detachment of Cavalry Division of the Army of the Cumberland. The cavalry under Colonel Robert H. G. Minty in an expedition from Murfreesboro toward Columbia came to Rutherford creek on the 10th. The bridge had been destroyed and an order was received to try the ford a mile and a half above. While examining the place the detachment was under a heavy fire from the Confederates posted behind a stone fence on the opposite bank of the creek, 2 Federals being killed and 3 severely wounded. Next morning Forrest appeared on the opposite bank of the stream, but a sharp artillery and musketry fire was opened upon him and he was compelled to retire. Minty then crossed, and while forming on the south bank a dismounted detachment of the enemy advanced toward him. The Union troops were deployed so as to get to the Confederate rear, and the enemy upon seeing this movement immediately remounted and fled. The casualties on the 11th, if any, were not reported. Rutherford Creek, Tennessee, December 19, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland. In the pursuit of Hood from Nashville Wilson's cavalry came to Rutherford's creek on the 19th and found it too high to ford. Hazen managed to get 2 regiments over on the remains of the railroad bridge, and after some skirmishing retired at dark across the stream. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSWURM, John Brown, 1799-1851, African American (his mother was Black), anti-slavery newspaper editor.  Attended and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1826.  Co-founder and co-editor of Freedom’s Journal, with Samuel Cornish.  Became senior editor in 1827.  Freedom’s Journal was the first newspaper in the United States to be owned, edited and published by African Americans.  It supported the abolition of slavery.  Later, editor of Rights of All.  Russwurm originally supported colonization and he emigrated to Liberia in 1829.  From 1830-1834, he was Colonial Secretary.  There he published the Liberia Herald.  He was Governor of the Maryland Colony from 1836 until his death in 1851.  The Maryland Colony was founded by the Maryland State Colonization Society.  (Campbell, 1971, pp. 50-52, 90-91, 114, 122-125, 127-130, 132-134, 136-137, 141-145, 152, 165; Dumond, 1961, p. 329; Sagarin, 1970; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, p. 253; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 19, p. 117.)


ROUMFORT, Augustus Louis, soldier, born in Paris. France, 10 December, 1796; died in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 2 August, 1878. He came with his father to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about 1805, was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1817, and. after a short service in the Marine Corps in Washington and Philadelphia, resigned on 18 August. 1818. He was then professor of mathematics at Mount Airy College, Germantown, till 1826, and from that time till 1834 superintendent of a military school in that town, where many young men were prepared for West Point. He was reappointed in the army by General Jackson as military store-keeper of ordnance in 1834, and served at Frankford Arsenal till 1841, when he resigned again. Meanwhile he had become an active Democratic politician, and was in the legislature in 1843-'4, and harbor-master of Philadelphia in 1845-'8. He had been made captain of Pennsylvania Militia in 1820, and in 1843 had risen to the rank of brigadier-general, in which capacity he showed much vigor and prudence in suppressing the native American riots in 1844. He was connected with railroads from 1850 till 1860, and from 1863 till 1866 was mayor of Harrisburg, where he won reputation by his success in maintaining order during the crisis of the Confederate invasion. After this he engaged in literary pursuits till his death. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 335.


ROUSSEAU, Lovell Harrison, soldier, born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, 4 August, 1818; died in New Orleans, Louisiana, 7 January, 1869. He received but little schooling, and in 1838 his father died, leaving a large family in reduced circumstances. On becoming of age he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and began the study of law. Subsequently he moved to Bloomfield, Indiana, where in February, 1841, he was admitted to the bar in 1844-'5 he was elected to the Indiana legislature, of which he became an active member. He raised a company during the Mexican War. and was attached to the 2d Indiana Regiment, with which he participated in the battle of Buena Vista. After losing nearly one third of his men in that contest, he fell back to the hacienda, doing good service when the wagon-trains were attacked by the Mexicans. In 1847, four days after his return from Mexico, he was elected to the Indiana Senate, and served for two terms. He moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1849, and there followed his profession, being very successful in the management of difficult cases, especially in addressing the jury. At the beginning of the Civil War he was earnest in his efforts to restrain Kentucky from joining the Confederacy, and, resigning his seat in the state senate, began the organization of troops for the National army, and was appointed colonel of the 5th Kentucky Volunteers in September, 1861. On 1 October, 1861, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers and attached to General Don Carlos Buell's army. He took part in the battle of Shiloh. where he led a brigade of General Alexander M. McCook's division, and participated in the battle of Perryville on 8 October, 1862, where for his bravery he was promoted major-general of volunteers. Subsequently he succeeded General Ormsby M. Mitchel in the command of the 5th Division of the Army of the Cumberland, serving with great credit in the battle of Stone River, the Tullahoma Campaign, the movement at Chattanooga, and the battle of Chickamauga. From November, 1863, till November, 1865, when he resigned, he had command of the districts of Nashville, Tennessee, and Middle Tennessee, and during this time made a raid into Alabama, destroying the Montgomery and Atlanta Lines of railway. In 1864 he held the important post of Fort Rosecrans in the defence of Nashville against General John B. Hood. He was elected to Congress from Kentucky as a Republican, serving from 4 December, 1865, to 21 July, 1866, when he resigned after being censured by the house for publicly assaulting Josiah B. Grinnell, of Iowa, in the capitol, but he was reelected, serving from 3 December, 1866, till 3 March, 1867. He served on the Committee on Military Affairs, and was one of the representatives that were selected to attend the funeral of General Winfield Scott in 1866. President Johnson appointed him brigadier-general in the regular army on 28 March, 1867, and he also received at the same time the brevet of major-general in the U. S. Army for services during the Civil War. He was then sent officially to receive Alaska from the Russian government and to assume control of the territory. General Rousseau was summoned to Washington to testify in the impeachment trial of President Johnson, and was subsequently assigned to the command of the Department of the Gulf, with headquarters at New Orleans. He succeeded General Philip H. Sheridan in this command and continued there until his death. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 336.


ROWAN, Stephen Clegg, naval officer, born near Dublin, Ireland, 25 December, 1808. He came to this country in early life, and was appointed midshipman in the U.S. Navy from Ohio, 15 February, 1826, when he was a student at Oxford College. He became passed midshipman, 28 February, 1832, and during the Seminole War cruised in the sloop " Vandalia" on the west coast of Florida, conducting boat expeditions and participating in operations on shore from November, 1832, till October, 1836. He was commissioned as lieutenant, 8 March, 1837, served in the U.S. Coast Survey in 1838-'40, was executive officer of the sloop “Cyane " in the Pacific Squadron in 1846-'8, and during the Mexican War took part in the capture of Monterey and San Diego, where he landed and hoisted the American flag, 29 July, 1846. On blockade duty in the Gulf of California the " Cyane " captured twenty Mexican vessels and caused the destruction of several gun-boats. Lieutenant Rowan commanded the naval brigade under Commodore Robert F. Stockton at the victories of San Gabriel and La Mesa, 9 and 10 January, 1847, was slightly wounded in the shoulder, and highly commended for his valor and ability. He subsequently commanded an expedition ten miles into the interior of Mexico, where he routed a large force of Mexicans, who then ceased to attack the U. S. naval garrison. He was on ordnance duty in 1850-'3 and again in 1858-'61, commanded the store-ship "Relief" in 1853-'5, and was promoted to commander, 14 September, 1855. When the Civil War opened he was in charge of the steam sloop " Pawnee," which he brought to Washington from Philadelphia in February, 1861. Rowan was a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, where he had married, but, notwithstanding this and his affection to the south, he announced his adhesion to the National government, and was continued in the command of the "Pawnee." At the capture of Alexandria he covered the city with his guns. On 25 May, 1861, he took the " Pawnee" to Acquia Creek and participated in the first naval engagement of the war by the attack on the Confederate batteries there. He commanded this vessel in the bombardment and capture of the forts at Hatteras inlet by the squadron under Commodore Stringham, and fully shared the honor of this success. Rowan then destroyed Fort Ocracoke, twenty miles south of Hatteras. In January, 1862, he led the vessels in Goldsborough's expedition to the sounds of North Carolina. The "Delaware" was his divisional flag-ship, and, in the attack on Roanoke Island, 8 February, 1862, he directed the movements of the vessels. After the forts surrendered, the enemy's flotilla "was pursued by Rowan with fourteen improvised gun-boats into Pasquotank River, where he completely destroyed the Confederate vessels and defences. Several expeditions were conducted by Rowan through the sounds of North Carolina. On 12 March, 1862, he and General Burnside co-operated in the expedition to New Berne, North Carolina, where he compelled the forts to capitulate. He also captured Fort Macon at Beaufort, North Carolina, 25 April, 1862, and continued to follow up his successes by expeditions until the authority of the government was completely re-established in the waters of North Carolina. Rowan was commissioned captain, 16 July, 1862, and for his conspicuous gallantry he was also promoted to commodore on the same day. He next commanded the "New Ironsides" off Charleston, and in many months of constant conflict with the enemy increased his reputation. In the spring of 1864 his services in the " New Ironsides " were no longer required, and Rowan was relieved. He received a vote of thanks from Congress, and on 25 July, 1866, was promoted to rear-admiral by selection, in recognition of his eminent services. He commanded the Norfolk U.S. Navy-yard in 1866-'7, was commander-in-chief of the Asiatic Squadron in 1868-'70, and while on this duty was promoted to vice-admiral. He was in command of the naval station at New York in 1872-'9, served as president of the Board of Examiners in 1879-'81, was governor of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia in 1881, and became superintendent of the Naval observatory in 1882. Admiral Rowan has been chairman of the Light-House Board since January, 1883, at Washington, D. C. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 337.


ROWLEY (rhymes with Cowley), Thomas Algeo, soldier, born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 5 October, 1808. He was educated in private schools, held several public offices in Pittsburg, and entered the U.S. Army as 2d lieutenant of Pennsylvania Volunteers to serve in the war with Mexico. He was afterward  to captain, and served in Maryland and District of Columbia regiments. From 1857 till 1860 he was clerk of the courts of Alleghany County, and at the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted as captain in the 13th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was promoted to be major and colonel. Re-enlisting as colonel of the 102d Pennsylvania Volunteers, he served three years, was made brigadier-general for services at Fredericksburg, Virginia, on 29 November, 1862, and resigned his commission on 29 December, 1864. From 1866 till 1870 he was U. S. Marshal for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and he now (1888) practices law in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 338.


ROWLEY, William Reuben, soldier, born in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County, New York, 8 February, 1824; died in Chicago, Illinois, 9 February, 1886. After teaching in Brown County, Ohio, he settled in Galena, Illinois, where he held various civil offices, and in November, 1861, entered the military service as 1st lieutenant in the 45th Illinois Regiment. After the capture of Fort Donelson he was commissioned captain, 26 February. 1862, and appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of General Ulysses S. Grant. He distinguished himself at Shiloh by riding from the thickest of the fight at the Hornet's Nest toward Clump's Landing with orders to General Lewis Wallace to bring his troops to the field, for which service he was promoted major, 1 November, 1862. He served on the staff until the siege of Vicksburg, when he was temporarily detached from headquarters, and acted as provost-marshal-general of the departments of the Tennessee and Cumberland, with headquarters at Columbus, Kentucky. When General Grant was promoted lieutenant-general, Major Rowley was made lieutenant-colonel and military secretary on his staff, which office he held until 30 August, 1864, when he resigned, owing to impaired health. He was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers on 13 March, 1865. He then returned to Galena, Illinois, was elected county judge in 1877, which office he held at his death, and was also engaged in real estate business. Before his death he was the only surviving member of General Grant's military staff when he commanded the Army of the Tennessee, and he died on the day that closed the official term of mourning for General Grant. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 338-339.


ROYALL, William Bedford, soldier, born in Virginia, 15 April, 1825. He took part in the Mexican War in New Mexico as 1st lieutenant of Missouri mountain Volunteers, and did good service at the capture of Puebla de Taos and in the skirmish with Comanche Indians on Coon Creek, 18 June, 1848. He returned to civil life in October, 1848. In recognition of his gallantry he received a commission in the regular army, dating from 3 March, 1855, and he participated in an expedition to the headwaters of Conchos River in the following year. In 1859 he won great credit by a brilliant defence of his camp against hostile Comanches. Escaping from Texas in the beginning of the Civil War, he was commissioned as captain, 21 March, 1861, and was engaged at Falling Waters, the siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Hanover Court-House, where he earned the brevet of major, and Old Church, where he cut through the enemy to escape capture, receiving sabre wounds which disabled him for several years. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, was made a major on 7 December, 1863, and during the remaining period of the war was engaged in recruiting service. On 13 March, 1865, he was brevetted colonel. In 1868 he took the field against the hostile Indians in Kansas, commanding in a combat at Prairie Dog Creek. For a part of the time he was the commander of the Republican River Expedition of 1869, and was engaged in several affairs with the hostile Indians. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel on 2 December, 1875, and in 1876 took part in the Yellowstone Expedition, and was engaged at Rosebud Creek and in other actions. He was promoted colonel of cavalry on 1 November, 1882, and retired from active service on 19 October, 1887. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 340.


ROYCE, Stephen, governor of Vermont, born in Tinmouth, Vermont, 12 August, 1787; died in East Berkshire, Vermont, 11 November, 1868. He was graduated at Middlebury in 1807, studied law, and was a member of the legislature from Sheldon, Franklin County, in 1815-'l6, and from St. Albans, Franklin County, in 1822-'4. From 1825 till 1827, and from 1829 till 1852, he was judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and he served as chief judge from 1846 till 1852. He was governor of Vermont in 1854-'6. The University of Vermont gave him the degree of LL. D. in 1837.—His nephew, Homer Elihu, jurist, born in East Berkshire, Vermont, 14 June, 1820, was educated in the common schools, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and practised in his native town. He was a member of the state house of representatives in 1846-'7 and 1862, prosecuting attorney for Franklin County in 1848-9, and state senator in 1849-'51, and was elected to Congress as a Republican, serving from 7 December, 1857, till 3 March, 1861. From 1870 till 1882 he was associate judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and since 1882 he has been chief judge. He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1868. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 340.


ROYE, Edward James, president of Liberia, born in Newark, Ohio, 3 February, 1815; died near Monrovia, Liberia, 12 February, 1872. He was educated at the high-school in his native town and at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Emigrating to Liberia in 1846, he became a wealthy merchant, and was the first Liberian to export African commodities to Europe and the United States in his own vessel. He was elected to the Liberian House of Representatives, serving as speaker in 1849, was chief justice from 1865 till 1868, and was elected fifth president of Liberia, entering office in 1870. During his service the people voted on a proposition to change the presidential term from two to four years; but it was defeated, and a new president, Joseph J. Roberts, was elected in 1871. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Roye attempted to remain at the head of the government, and he was condemned to imprisonment. He escaped, and, while endeavoring to swim to a steamer that was bound for Liverpool, he was drowned in the harbor of Monrovia. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 340-341.


RUBY, George Thompson, 1841-1882, African American, politician, journalist, editor, abolitionist. Writer, editor, Kansas Anti-Slavery publication, Crusader of Freedom.  Correspondent for William Lloyd Garrison’s Anti-Slavery Standard. Wrote biography of militant abolitionist John Brown. (Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 606)


RUGGLES, David, 1810-1849, New York City, free African American, journalist, publisher, editor, anti-slavery activist and abolitionist leader.  Agent for Emancipator and Journal of Public Morals of the American Anti-Slavery Society.  Founded Mirror of Liberty, first Black magazine.  President of the New York Committee of Vigilance, 1835-1839.  He searched the city for fugitive slaves being held there.  He helped six former slaves.  For this, he was arrested and jailed.  Also active in the Underground Railroad, which aided fugitive slaves.  He was an advocate of the Free Produce movement.  Wrote pamphlet, “The Extinguisher.”  Contributed articles to abolitionist newspapers, The Emancipator and The Liberator. 

(Dumond, 1961, p. 340; Hodges, 2010; Mabee, 1970, pp. 84-85, 107-108, 113-114, 278, 285, 397n1, 398n20, 415n16; Rodriguez, 2007, p. 45; Sorin, 1971, pp. 34, 84n, 87, 113; Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 624; Hinks, Peter P., & John R. McKivigan, Eds., Encyclopedia of Antislavery and Abolition.  Westport, Connecticut, Greenwood, 2007, Vol. 2, pp. 584-585)


RUCKER, Daniel Henry, soldier, born in Belleville, New Jersey, 28 April, 1812. In his youth he moved to Grosso Isle, Michigan. He entered the U. S. Army as 2d lieutenant in the 1st Dragoons on 13 Oct, 1837, became 1st lieutenant, 8 October, 1844, and captain, 7 February, 1847, and served in Michigan, and against the Indians in the west and southwest. He participated in the war with Mexico, and commanded a squadron at Buena Vista, where for gallantry he was brevetted major on 23 February, 1847. On 23 August, 1849, he was transferred to captain assistant quartermaster. He declined the post of major of the 6th U.S. Cavalry on 14 May, 1861, became major quartermaster on 3 August, 1861, and colonel and aide-de-camp on 28 September, 1861. He was appointed brigadier-general, U. S. volunteers, on 23 May, 1863, and on 5 July, 1864, was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, colonel, and brigadier-general, U. S. Army, for diligent and faithful service during the war. On 13 March, 1865, he received the brevets of major-general, U. S. Army, and major-general, U. S. volunteers, for faithful and meritorious service during the war. He was appointed colonel and assistant quartermaster-general on 28 July, 1866, and was mustered out of the volunteer service on 1 September, 1866. Since that date he has served as quartermaster-general at various points, and on 13 February, 1882, was appointed Quartermaster-General of the army. He was retired on 23 February, 1882, and now (1888) resides in Washington, D. C. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 341.


RUFF, Charles Frederick, soldier, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10 October, 1818: died there, 1 October, 1885. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1838, assigned to the 1st Dragoons, served in garrison and frontier duty in Kansas and Iowa, and resigned on 31 December, 1843. Until 1846 he practised law in Liberty, Missouri, and on 18 June, 1846, he enlisted for the war with Mexico as lieutenant-colonel of Missouri volunteers, being made captain in a regiment of Mounted Rifles in the U. S. Army on 7 July, 1846. He was brevetted major for gallant and meritorious conduct at the skirmish at San Juan de los Llanos, 1 August, 1847, and participated in the battles of Contreras, Molino del Rey (where he was wounded), and Chapultepec, and in the capture of the city of Mexico, after which he served on frontier duty in Washington Territory. In 1852–3 he was superintendent of the cavalry recruiting service, and in 1853 commanded the cavalry-school for practice at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He was made major of Mounted Rifles on 30 December, 1856, served on the Navajo Expedition in 1858–'9, the Comanche Expedition in 1860, and was the bearer of despatches to the War Department in 1860–’1. He became lieutenant-colonel of the 3d U.S. Cavalry, 10 June, 1861, was mustering and disbursing officer at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 15 April, 1861, till 29 April, 1863, acting inspector-general of the Department of the Susquehanna from 29 June till 30 September, 1863, and retired from active service, owing to impaired health, on 30 March, 1864, having mustered into service more than 50,000 volunteers. He was brevetted colonel and brigadier-general, U.S. Army, on 13 March, 1865, for faithful and meritorious services in recruiting the armies of the United States. From 1868 till 1870 he served as professor of military science in the University of Pennsylvania. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 341-342.


RUFFIN, Edmund (ruf-fin), agriculturist, born in Prince George County, Virginia, 5 January, 1794; died on his estate of Redmoor, in Amelia County, Virginia, 15 June, 1865. In 1810—"12 he attended William and Mary College. He served in the legislature, was secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, agricultural surveyor of South Carolina, for many years was president of the Virginia Agricultural Society, and was the discoverer of the value of marl as a fertilizer of poor soil, by the use of which millions of dollars were added to the value of the real estate of eastern Virginia. He was a state-rights man and a secessionist, and was a member of the Palmetto Guard of South Carolina. At the beginning of the Civil War he went to South Carolina, and, by order of General Beauregard, his company was ordered to open fire on Fort Sumter, and as the oldest member he was selected by his comrades to fire the first gun, 14 April, 1861. He shot himself because he was unwilling to live under the U.S. government. Among other agricultural papers he edited the “Farmer's Register” from 1833 till 1842, and he also published “Essay on Calcareous Manures” (Richmond, 1831); “Essay on Agricultural Education ” (1833): “Anticipations of the Future to serve as Lessons for the Present Time” (1860); and edited “The Westover Manuscripts, containing the History of the Dividing-Line betwixt Virginia and North Carolina; a Journey to the Land of Eden, A. D. 1783; and a Progress to the Mines.” by William Byrd, of Westover (Petersburg, 1841; 2d ed., 2 vols., Albany, 1866). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 342.


RUFFIN, Thomas, jurist, born in King and Queen County, Virginia, 17 November, 1787; died in Hillsboro’, North Carolina, 15 January, 1870. After graduation at Princeton in 1805 he studied law, and moved to Hillsboro’, North Carolina, in 1807. He served in the legislature in 1813–16, becoming speaker in the latter year, was judge of the Supreme Court in 1816–18, and elected again from 1825, and was chief justice of the State Supreme Court from 1829 till 1852, and again in 1856–8, after which he served as presiding judge of the county court. He was opposed to nullification in 1832 and to secession in 1860, but voted for the Ordinance of Secession in the convention. He was a delegate to the Peace Congress that met in Washington in 1861. The University of North Carolina gave him the degree of LL.D. in 1834. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 342.


RUFFLE. “A low, vibrating sound beat upon a drum not so loud as a roll. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 537).


RUGER, Thomas Howard, soldier, born in Lima, Livingston County, New York, 2 April, 1833. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1854, assigned to the Engineer Corps, and worked on the defences of New Orleans, Louisiana, but resigned, 1 April, 1855, and from 1856 till the Civil War practised law in Janesville, Wisconsin. He became lieutenant-colonel of the 3d Wisconsin Regiment, 29 June, 1861, and its colonel on 20 August, and commanded it in Maryland and the Shenandoah Valley till August, 1862, after which he was in the northern Virginia and Maryland Campaigns. He was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, 29 November, 1862, led a brigade in the Rappahannock Campaigns, and commanded a division at Gettysburg. In the summer of 1863 he was in New York City, where he aided in suppressing the draft riots. He then guarded the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad in Tennessee till April, 1864, led a brigade in Sherman's advance into Georgia till November, 1864, and with a division of the 23d Corps took part in the campaign against General John B. Hood's army in Tennessee, receiving the brevet of major-general of volunteers, 30 November, 1864, for services at the battle of Franklin. He then organized a division at Nashville, led it from February to June, 1865, in North Carolina, and then had charge of the department of that state till June, 1866, when he was mustered out. He accepted a colonelcy in the regular army, 28 July, 1866, and on 2 March, 1867, was brevetted brigadier-general, U. S. army, for services at Gettysburg. From January till July, 1868, he was provisional governor of Georgia, and from 1871 till 1876 .he was superintendent of the U. S. Military Academy. From the last year till 1878 he was in charge of the Department of the South, and in 1876 he commanded the troops during the trouble in South Carolina incident to the claims of rival state governments. (See Chamberlain, D. H.) He then commanded posts in the south and west, and on 19 March, 1885, was promoted brigadier-general. After temporarily commanding the Department of the Missouri in April and May, 1886, he was placed in charge of that of Dakota, with headquarters at St. Paul, Minnesota, where he is at present (1888) on duty. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 343.


RUGGLES, Daniel, soldier, born in Barre, Massachusetts, 31 January, 1810. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1833, entered the 5th U.S. Infantry, and served on frontier and recruiting duty till the Mexican War, in which, after his promotion as captain, 18 June, 1840, he won the brevet of major for gallantry at Contreras and Churubusco, and that of lieutenant colonel for Chapultepec. He then served mostly in Texas till his resignation on 7 May, 1801, for two years before which he had been on sick leave of absence. He then joined the Confederate army, was commissioned brigadier-general in the same year, served in New Orleans, and led a division at Shiloh and at Baton Rouge. He became major-general in 1863, and commanded the Department of the Mississippi. He repelled raids on the northern and southern borders of the state in 1863-'4, and in 1865 was commissary-general of prisoners. After the war he took charge of his large estate near Palafox, Texas, and also resided at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 343.


RUGGLES, George David, soldier, born in Newburg, New York, 11 September, 1833, was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1855, and assigned to the Mounted Riflemen. He served on frontier duty, including three Indian Expeditions, till the Civil War, and in 1858 was acting adjutant-general of the Department of the West, at St. Louis. In July, 1861, he was made assistant adjutant-general, with the staff rank of captain, and assigned to special duty in the War Department in the organization of volunteer forces. He became colonel on the staff on 28 June, 1862, was chief of staff of the Army of Virginia in General John Pope's campaign, and continued to serve as an additional aide-de-camp throughout the war, sometimes with the Army of the Potomac, of which he was adjutant-general from February till June, 1865, and sometimes in Washington, he took part in the battles of Antietam and South Mountain, and the assault and capture of Petersburg. On 9 April, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers for services during the operations that resulted in the fall of Richmond and surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee, and he was also given brevet commissions in the regular army to date from 13 March, including that of brigadier-general. Since the war he has served as adjutant-general of various departments, and on 15 June, 1880, he attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 344.


RULES AND ARTICLES OF WAR. (See ARTICLES OF WAR.)


RUN; RUNNING. (See MANOEUVRES OF INFANTRY IN COMBATS.)


RUNNING FIRE. Rapid and successive fire by troops. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 537).


RUSCHENBERGER, William S. W., naval surgeon, born in Cumberland County, New Jersey, 4 September, 1807. After attending schools in Philadelphia and New York he entered the U.S. Navy as surgeon's mate, 10 August, 1826, was graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1830, and was commissioned surgeon, 4 April, 1831. He was fleet surgeon of the East India Squadron in 1835-'7, attached to the naval rendezvous at Philadelphia in 1840-'2, and at the Naval Hospital in Brooklyn in 1843-'7, when he organized the laboratory for supplying the service with unadulterated drugs. He was again fleet surgeon of the East India Squadron in 1847-50, of the Pacific Squadron in 1854-'7, and of the Mediterranean Squadron from August, 1860, till July, 1861. During the intervals between cruises he was on duty at Philadelphia. During the Civil War he was surgeon of the Boston U.S. Navy-yard. He was on special duty at Philadelphia in 1865-'70, was the senior officer in the Medical Corps in 1866-'9. and was retired on 4 September, 1869. He was president of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia in 1870-'82, and president of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1879-'83. He was commissioned medical director on the retired list, 3 March, 1871. Dr. Ruschenberger has published some of the results of his investigations during his cruises, by which he has acquired a wide reputation. Among his works are " Three Years in the Pacific " (Philadelphia, 1834; 2 vols., London, 1835); "A Voyage around the World, 1835-'7" (Philadelphia, 1838; omitting strictures on the British government, 2 vols., London, 1838); "Elements of Natural History" (2 vols., Philadelphia. 1850); "A Lexicon of Terms used in Natural History " (1850); " A Notice of the Origin. Progress, and Present Condition of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia" (1852); and "Notes and Commentaries during Voyages to Brazil and China, 1848" (Richmond, 1854). He has also published numerous articles on naval rank and organization (1845-'50), and contributed papers to medical and scientific journals, and he edited the American edition of Mrs. Somerville's " Physical Geography," with additions and a glossary (1850; new ed., 1853). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 348-349.


RUSH, Christopher, A. M. E. bishop, born in Craven County. North Carolina, in 1777; died in New York City, 16 July, 1873. He was a full-blooded African, and born a slave. He went to New York in 1798, and was subsequently freed, and licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1815. He was ordained a superintendent, in 1828, and successively occupied important offices in the church till, in 1849, he became bishop. He was largely instrumental in the separation of the colored from the white branch of the Methodist Church, and his address before Bishop Enoch George finally carried the measure. At that time the African Methodists numbered only 100, but Bishop Rush lived to see it a comparatively large and flourishing organization. He possessed excellent judgment and business capacity, and was greatly revered by his race. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 351.


RUSK, Jeremiah McLain, governor of Wisconsin, born in Morgan County, Ohio, 17 June, 1830. He divided his time between farm-work and the acquisition of a common-school education till he attained his majority, and in 1853 moved to Wisconsin and engaged in agriculture in Vernon County. He entered the National army in l862, was commissioned major of the 25th Wisconsin Regiment, rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and served with General William T. Sherman from the siege of Vicksburg till the close of the war. In 1865 he received the brevet of brigadier-general of volunteers for meritorious service at the battle of Salkehatchie. He was elected bank comptroller of Wisconsin in 1866, which post he held till 1870, was chosen to Congress as a Republican in the latter year, served three terms, and as chairman of the Committee on Pensions performed important services in readjusting the pension rates. He declined the appointment of charge d'affaires in Paraguay and Uruguay, and that of chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which were offered him by President Garfield. Since 1882 he has been governor of Wisconsin, having been elected for three successive terms. During the threatened Milwaukee riots in May, 1886, he did good service by his prompt action in ordering the militia to fire on the dangerous mob when they attempted to destroy life and property. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 351.


RUSSELL, George W., Worcester, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1836-37


RUSSELL, John Henry, naval officer, born in Frederick City, Maryland, 4 July, 1827. He entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman, 10 September, 1841, was attached to the "St. Mary's" in the Gulf of Mexico, 1844-'6, and participated in the first operations of the Mexican War and the blockade at Vera Cruz prior to the capture of that city. He became a passed midshipman, 10 August, 1847, and was graduated at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1848. He was attached to the North Pacific Exploring Expedition in 1853'6, and served in the sloop " Vincennes” under an appointment as acting lieutenant, and also as navigator. In this cruise the U. S. envoy to China was indebted to Lieutenant Russell for opening communication with the Chinese, who had refused all intercourse. Russell boldly pushed his way alone to the senior mandarin, and delivered despatches by which American and English envoys were admitted to audience. He was commissioned master, 14 September, 1855, and lieutenant, 15 September, 1855, and in 1860-'l, when on ordnance duty at the Washington U.S. Navy-yard, he was one of two officers there that remained loyal, notwithstanding that his ties and affections were with the south. He went to Norfolk to assist in preventing vessels at the navy-yard from falling into the hands of the secessionists, and had charge of the last boat that left the yard, 28 April, 1861. He was next attached to the frigate "Colorado," and on 14 September, 1861, he commanded a boat expedition to cut out the privateer " Judah " at Pensacola, under the protection of shore batteries and about 9,000 men. Russell boldly approached during the night, and after a severe hand-to-hand conflict, in which 20 of his force of 100 sailors were killed or wounded, himself among the latter, he succeeded in destroying the "Judah and regained the “Colorado." Admiral Porter, in his " Naval History," says that "this was without doubt the most gallant cutting-out affair that occurred during the war." The Navy Department complimented Russell. The state of Maryland gave him a vote of thanks, and President Lincoln personally expressed his gratitude. Russell was then placed in command of the steamer "Kennebec" in Farragut's squadron, was present at the surrender of the forts below New Orleans, and received the garrison of Fort Jackson as prisoners on his ship. Farragut thanked him for his service in saving lives of officers and men in the flag-ship's boat during a guerilla attack at Baton Rouge. He was commissioned lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, was on ordnance duty at Washington in 1864, and commanded the sloop 'Cyane," of the Pacific Squadron, in 1864-'5. After being commissioned commander on 28 January. 1867, he took charge of the steamer "Ossipee" of the Pacific Squadron, in 1860-'71, and during a gale in the Gulf of California rescued the passengers and crew of the Pacific mail-steamer " Continental" in September, 1869. He became captain, 12 February, 1874, commanded the sloop " Plymouth" in 1875, and by prompt measures saved the vessels of the North Atlantic Squadron from an epidemic of yellow fever at Key West. In 1876-'7 he commanded the steamer " Powhatan" on special service. He was made commodore, 30 October, 1883, had charge of the Mare Island U.S. Navy-yard in 1883-'6. was promoted rear-admiral, 4 March. 1886, and voluntarily went upon the retired list, 27 August, of the same year. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p.


RUSSELL, David Allan, soldier, born in Salem, New York, 10 December, 1820; died near Winchester, Virginia, 19 September, 1864, was graduated at the U.S. Military Academy in 1845, served in the Mexican War, and received the brevet of 1st lieutenant in August, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several affairs with guerillas at Paso Ovejas, National Bridge, and Cerro Gordo. He became captain in 1854, was engaged in the defences of Washington, D.C., from November, 1861, till January, 1862, when he was appointed colonel of the 7th Massachusetts Volunteers, served with the Army of the Potomac in the Virginia Peninsular Campaign, and was engaged at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and the seven days' battles around Richmond. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, U. S. army, 1 July, 1862, for these services, became major of the 8th U.S. Infantry on 9 August of the same year, and participated in the battles of Crampton's Gap and Antietam. In November, 1862, he became brigadier-general of volunteers. He commanded a brigade of the 6th Corps in the Rappahannock Campaign, was engaged at Fredericksburg, Salem, and Beverly Ford, and at Gettysburg, for which battle he was brevetted colonel, 1 July, 1863. During the Rapidan campaign he participated in the capture of the Confederate works at Rappahannock Station, commanded a division in the 6th Corps in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and North Anna, was brevetted brigadier-general, U. S. Army, 6. May, 1864, and participated in the actions at Cold Harbor and the siege and battles around Petersburg. He was then engaged in the defence of Washington, D.C., and in August and September, 1864, served in the Shenandoah Campaign in command of his former division. He was killed at the head of his column in the battle of Opequan, Virginia. He was brevetted major-general in the United States army, 19 September, 1864. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 354.


RUSSELL'S HOUSE, MISSISSIPPI, May 17, 1862. 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee. As part of the siege of Corinth, General Sherman ordered Morgan L. Smith's brigade to occupy a position at Russell's house. On reaching the causeway before the house Smith halted and deployed his skirmishers, one company of the 8th Missouri on each side of the road. As they advanced they were fired on from the flanks and other troops were sent to deploy and extend the line until ten companies, eight of the 8th Missouri and two of the 55th Illinois, were engaged. As soon as opportunity offered a battery was brought to bear and in a short time the Confederates began to retreat, though contesting every foot of the ground. Thirteen of their dead were left on the field. Smith had 10 men killed and 31 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 760-761.


RUSSELLVILLE, ALABAMA, July 3, 1862. Detachment, 1st Ohio Cavalry. Companies B and G were sent out on a scouting expedition toward Russellville. About 3 a. m. on the 3d their camp was attacked by Roddey's Confederate cavalry, estimated at 250. Captain Emery of Company B was severely wounded and 4 men were killed. The enemy lost 4 killed and 1 captured. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 761.


RUSSELLVILLE, ALABAMA, December 31, 1864. Detachment of Steedman's Cavalry. The detachment, consisting of the 15th Pennsylvania, parts of the 10th, 12th and 13th Indiana and 2nd Tennessee, commanded by Colonel W. J. Palmer, was in pursuit of Roddey's cavalry. Palmer reached Leighton, 13 miles west of Courtland about 1 p. m. on the 30th, having skirmished with Roddey all the way from Town creek. While at Leighton Palmer learned that Hood's pontoon train, guarded by a detachment of Armstrong's cavalry, had passed through that town the day before and was then encamped at La Grange. He decided to follow and capture the train. Starting before daylight on the 31st he took a road that would enable him to avoid Armstrong's men, but upon reaching La Grange he encountered part of Roddey's command, and learned that the train had gone on toward Russellville. After driving the Confederates out of La Grange, Palmer hastened on to Russellville, where he met another party of Roddey's cavalry that had just arrived from Tuscumbia and engaged them, driving them from the town and capturing a few prisoners. He then pushed on after the train, which was overtaken late in the day about 10 miles from Russellville. The pontoniers cut loose part of the mules, mounted them and made their escape, leaving^ the rest of the animals hitched to the wagons. The train. consisting of 200 wagons, 78 pontoon boats, engineering instruments, several mules and oxen, and a few prisoners, were captured without the loss of a man. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 761.


RUSSELLVILLE, KENTUCKY, July 29, 1862. 26th Kentucky Infantry. An attack was made upon the camp of the 26th Kentucky by a body of guerrillas and Lieutenant Burgher was killed and Captain Morrow badly wounded. Russellville, Kentucky, September 30, 1862. Detachments of the 70th Indiana and 8th Kentucky Infantry. Colonel Sanders D. Bruce, of the 20th Kentucky infantry, reported from Bowling Green on October r, as follows: "Rebels burnt bridge at Black Lick, near Auburn, Monday night. I sent 70th Indiana and part of 8th Kentucky down, rebuilt the bridge, surprised the enemy at Russellville, and routed them completely, killing and wounding 50, taking 15 prisoners and 40 horses and saddles. Also routed a party at Glasgow yesterday, taking 10 prisoners: among them Lieutenant Crews. Captain J. M. Brown and Lieutenant Thomas." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 761


RUSSELLVILLE, KENTUCKY, June 28. 1863. Detachment of 3d Kentucky Cavalry. A portion of the regiment in pursuit of a band of guerrillas thought to be aiming for the railroad near Russellville attacked and defeated them, several of the enemy being wounded and some captured. A Union sergeant was wounded, which was the only casualty on that side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 761.


RUSSELLVILLE, MISSOURI, October 9, 1864. Detachment of the Cavalry Corps, Department of Missouri. During the pursuit of Price in his Missouri expedition the Federal advance had such heavy skirmishing with his rear-guard that it was twice necessary near Russellville to bring the artillery into action before further progress could be made. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, July 1, 1862. 1st Ohio Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, December 10, 1863. Detachment of Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio. While in pursuit of Longstreet, after his retirement from before Knoxville, a detachment of Shackelford's cavalry under Colonel Pennebaker came upon the enemy's pickets beyond Morristown on the Russellville road and drove them in. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


Russellville, Tennessee, October 28, 1864. The report of Confederate Colonel John B. Palmer of the operations in Tennessee states that his command effectually checked some Federal cavalry which was driving Vaughn's cavalry through Russellville. This is the only official mention of the affair and contains no report of casualties. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, November 11, 1864. A despatch from Major Sam Tool to Brigadier-General J. C. Vaughn (Confederate), dated at Warrensburg, Virginia, on the 12th, contains the following: "I struck the Yankees at Russellville, 210 strong, at 10 o'clock last night. Drove them toward the gap." Union reports make no mention of this affair. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSELLVILLE, TENNESSEE, November 14, 1864. (See Bull's Gap, November 11-13, 1864.) Rutherford Creek, Tennessee, March 10-11, 1863. Detachment of Cavalry Division of the Army of the Cumberland. The cavalry under Colonel Robert H. G. Minty in an expedition from Murfreesboro toward Columbia came to Rutherford creek on the 10th. The bridge had been destroyed and an order was received to try the ford a mile and a half above. While examining the place the detachment was under a heavy fire from the Confederates posted behind a stone fence on the opposite bank of the creek, 2 Federals being killed and 3 severely wounded. Next morning Forrest appeared on the opposite bank of the stream, but a sharp artillery and musketry fire was opened upon him and he was compelled to retire. Minty then crossed, and while forming on the south bank a dismounted detachment of the enemy advanced toward him. The Union troops were deployed so as to get to the Confederate rear, and the enemy upon seeing this movement immediately remounted and fled. The casualties on the 11th, if any, were not reported. Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUTHERFORD CREEK, TENNESSEE, December 19, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland. In the pursuit of Hood from Nashville Wilson's cavalry came to Rutherford's creek on the 19th and found it too high to ford. Hazen managed to get 2 regiments over on the remains of the railroad bridge, and after some skirmishing retired at dark across the stream. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUSSWURM, John Brown, 1799-1851, African American (his mother was Black), anti-slavery newspaper editor.  Attended and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1826.  Co-founder and co-editor of Freedom’s Journal, with Samuel Cornish.  Became senior editor in 1827.  Freedom’s Journal was the first newspaper in the United States to be owned, edited and published by African Americans.  It supported the abolition of slavery.  Later, editor of Rights of All.  Russwurm originally supported colonization and he emigrated to Liberia in 1829.  From 1830-1834, he was Colonial Secretary.  There he published the Liberia Herald.  He was Governor of the Maryland Colony from 1836 until his death in 1851.  The Maryland Colony was founded by the Maryland State Colonization Society.  (Campbell, 1971, pp. 50-52, 90-91, 114, 122-125, 127-130, 132-134, 136-137, 141-145, 152, 165; Dumond, 1961, p. 329; Sagarin, 1970; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, p. 253; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 19, p. 117.)


RUTHERFORD, John, born in Richmond, Virginia, 6 December, 1792; died at Richmond., Virginia, in July, 1866, received his education at Princeton, and studied law, but practised his profession only a short time. He was for many years president of the Virginia Mutual Assurance Society, the first institution of this kind in the state, and held this post until his death. He was the first captain of the Richmond Fayette Artillery and became colonel of the regiment, and was known thenceforth as "Colonel John." Colonel Rutherford became lieutenant-governor of Virginia in 1840, and, upon the death of Governor Thomas Gilmer in 1841, succeeded him as governor, which place he filled for more than a year. During this period he conducted a correspondence with Governor William H. Seward, of New York, concerning a demand that he had made, as governor of Virginia, upon the latter for the rendition of fugitives, which discussion of constitutional obligations won him reputation as a statesman and as a writer. For years he was associated in intimate correspondence with the first public men of the day, among them ex-President John Tyler and his relatives, William C. Rives, and President Madison. He was always active in public affairs and of proverbial integrity, and won friends by his courteous manners and profuse and elegant hospitality. His portrait is in the capitol at Richmond with those of the other governors and distinguished men of Virginia. At an entertainment at his house General Winfield Scott pronounced his eulogy upon Robert E. Lee, saying that " he was a head and shoulders above any man in the army of the United States, and that in case of war on the Canada question he would be worth millions to his country. This expression of opinion had great influence in Lee's being called by Virginia to assume command of the state forces at the opening of the Civil War. — John's only son, John Coles, born in Richmond, Virginia, 20 November, 1825; died at Rock Castle, Goochland County, Virginia, in August, 1866, received a good education, studied one year at Washington College, Virginia, and was graduated at the University of Virginia in 1842. Subsequently he studied law, and practised with success in Goochland and the adjoining counties. At the age of twenty-seven he was elected to the House of Delegates, and he represented his county for twelve consecutive years. He was at different times chairman of the most important committees of the house, and was favorably known as a debater and writer. He contributed, under the signature of "Sidney," some able articles to the press; one, on " Banking," published in pamphlet-form, especially gained him literary reputation. He possessed great popularity both as a public man and as a private citizen. He died within the week after his father's death. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 355-356.


RUTHERFORD, Friend Smith, soldier, born in Schenectady, New York, 25 September, 1820; died in Alton, Illinois, 20 June. 1864. He was the great-grandson of Dr. Daniel Rutherford, of the University of Edinburgh, who is regarded as the discoverer of nitrogen. He studied law in Troy, New York, moved to the west, and settled in practice at Alton, Illinois. On 30 June, 1862, he was commissioned as captain and commissary of subsistence, but he resigned on 2 September in order to assume the command of the 97th Illinois Regiment. He participated in the attack on the Confederate works at Chickasaw Bayou, near Vicksburg, led the assault on Arkansas Post, and served with credit at the capture of Port Gibson and in the final operations against Vicksburg. He subsequently served in Louisiana, and died from exposure and fatigue a week before his commission was issued as brigadier-general of volunteers.—His brothers, Reuben C. and George V., served also in the volunteer army during the Civil War, and were both made brigadier-general by brevet on 13 March, 1865. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 356.


RUTHERFORD'S STATION, TENNESSEE, December 21, 1862. (See Forrest's Expedition into West Tennessee.)


RUTLEDGE, MISSOURI, August 4, 1864. Detachment of 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The itinerary of the district of southwest Missouri contains the following for August 4: "Lieutenant Hunter, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, in command of 60 men, same regiment, on a scout in the direction of McDonald county, Missouri, encountered the enemy 300 strong near Rutledge; had a sharp skirmish, in which he lost 3 men killed and 1 man wounded: the enemy's loss. 3 killed and several wounded." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762.


RUTLEDGE, TENNESSEE, December 7, 1863. Cavalry of the Army of the Ohio. Page 763 Brigadier-General J. M. Shackleford, with a cavalry detachment, while in pursuit of Longstreet after the latter had raised the siege of Knoxville, skirmished with the enemy on the Rutledge road. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 762-763.


RUTLEDGE, TENNESSEE, December 16, 1863. (See Bean's Station.)


RYAN, Abram Joseph, poet, born in Norfolk, Virginia, 15 August, 1839; died in Louisville, Kentucky, 22 April, 1886. At an early age he decided to enter the Roman Catholic priesthood, and, after the usual classical and theological studies, he was ordained, and shortly afterward became a chaplain in the Confederate Army, serving until the close of the war. He wrote "The Conquered Banner" soon after Lee's surrender. In 1865 he moved to New Orleans, where, in addition to his clerical duties, he edited the "Star," a weekly Roman Catholic paper. From New Orleans he went to Knoxville, Tennessee, after a few months to Augusta. Georgia, and founded the "Banner of the South," a religious and political weekly. This he soon relinquished, and for several years was pastor of St. Mary's Church, Mobile, Alabama, but in 1880 his old restlessness returned, and he went to the north for the twofold object of publishing his poems and lecturing. He spent the month of December in Baltimore, where his "Poems, Patriotic, Religious, and Miscellaneous," were published. There also, about the same time, he delivered his first lecture, the subject being " Some Aspects of Modern Civilization." During this visit he made his home at Loyola College, and in return for the hospitality of the Jesuit fathers he gave a public reading from his poems, and devoted the proceeds, $300, to found a medal for poetry at the college. His lecturing tour was not successful, and in a few months he returned to the south, where he continued to lead the same restless mode of life. Father Ryan was engaged on a "Life of Christ" at the time of his death. His most popular poems, besides that mentioned above, are " The Lost Cause," " The Sword of Lee," "The Flag of Erin," and the epic "Their Story Runneth Thus." Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 359.


RYAN, Edward George, jurist, born at Newcastle House, County Meath, Ireland, 13 November, 1810; died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 19 October, 1880. He had been intended for the priesthood, but began the study of law, came to the United States in 1830, and subsequently was a member of the Episcopal Church. He taught and continued his law studies in New York, was admitted to the bar in 1836, and in that year moved to Chicago, where he edited a paper called the "Tribune" from 1839 till its discontinuance in 1841. He went to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1842, and to Milwaukee in 1848, and became one of the most powerful advocates at the Wisconsin bar. Among the cases in which he won reputation were the impeachment trial of Judge Levi Hubbell in 1853, the Joshua Glover fugitive-slave case in 1854, and the case of Bashford vs. Barstow in 1856 to determine the title to the office of governor of the state, in which Coles Bashford, Mr. Ryan's client, was successful. He was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1846, and to the Democratic National Convention in 1848. In 1862 Mr. Ryan, as chairman of a committee of the Democratic State Convention, drew up an address to the people of Wisconsin that became known as the "Ryan Address." He was city attorney of Milwaukee in 1870-2, and on 17 June, 1874,"was appointed chief justice of the state to fill a vacancy. He was elected to the office in the following April, and served until his death. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 359.


RYAN, George Parker, naval officer, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 8 May, 1842; died at sea, 24 November, 1877. He was appointed a midshipman, 30 September, 1857, and graduated at the U.S. Naval Academy second in his class in 1860. He was commissioned lieutenant, 16 Jury, 1862, and was navigator of the steamer "Sacramento" on special service in chase of the " Alabama" and " Florida" in 1862-'4. He was promoted to lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1866, and attached to the U. S. Naval Academy as assistant professor of astronomy and navigation in 1866-'9. He was again on duty at the Naval Academy in 1871-'4, and was promoted to commander, 3 October, 1874. He organized parties for the observation of the transit of Venus of 1874, and was selected to take charge of the expedition to Kerguelen Islands. He was ordered to take command of the iron steamer "Huron" in 1876, and on 23 November, 1877, he sailed for Havana. The vessel was wrecked on Body Island, North Carolina, and Ryan, with most of his officers and crew, was drowned. At the time of his death he was one of the most scientific navigators of the service. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 359.


RYAN, William Albert Charles, soldier, born in Toronto, Canada, 28 March, 1843; died in Santiago, Cuba, 4 November, 1873. He was educated in Buffalo, New York. At the beginning of the Civil War enlisted in the New York volunteers, serving through the war, and rising to the rank of captain. He volunteered in the service of the Cuban junta in 1869, and when Thomas Jordan was made commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army became his chief of staff and inspector-general. He displayed bravery and military skill in conflicts with the Spanish troops, and several times returned to the United States to recruit new forces for carrying on the insurrection. His last expedition was in the “Virginius,” which was captured by the Spanish man-of-war “Tornado" on 31 October, 1873, seven days after leaving the port of Kingston, Jamaica, and taken into Santiago. crew were tried by court-martial, and all were condemned to death as pirates. After the sentence had been executed on General Ryan, and fifty-one others, the massacre was arrested through the interference of the captain of a British war vessel, and the surviving prisoners were subsequently released on the demand of the U.S. government. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 360.