Colonel Henry Tillinghast Sisson
Though Paymaster for the First Infantry Rhode Island Regiment,
Sisson was given command of the Skirmishers of the Second Rhode Island Regiment. As the Battle began
David Hunter (Division Commander) put out the line of Skirmishers at Matthews Hill. Col. David Hunter was
shot, John Slocum with the balance of the Second Regiment soon was engaged.
Later in the Battle, Col. Burnside asked Lieutenant Henry Sisson to check on the Captain of the Carabineers,
Frank Goddard, as Henry Sisson took the field the Carabineers yelled out a cheer, because the men were
awaiting
their orders. An argument between Goddard and Sisson took place
on the field, half of the men went with Sisson
and the other Half remained with Goddard. Sisson later wrote that the men that went with him did good
service, Burnside never included this in his final statement, written after the battle.
This is where the Rhode Island troops were located (upon Matthews Hill). In the distance you can see similar James Guns, or 32 pounders that were operated by the Rhode Island troops.