Forever shall it wave, our Nation's Emblem, bidding defiance to Rebels and Traitors!This patriotic cover has an Oct 11 [1862] manuscript cancel from West Goshen, a
discontinued post office (DPO) in Litchfield County, Connecticut, which operated
from 1849 to 1972.
It is addressed care of Capt. J. R. Rice, 19th Regt. C. V. (Connecticut Volunteers),
Washington, D. C.
Did Capt. Rice survive the war? Apparently he did not. In the
Goshen, Connecticut cemetery there is listed:
Rice, James, (2nd Conn. Arty.) died Sept. 19, 1864, age 42. (Civil War)The
2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery was originally raised as the 19th Connecticut Infantry,
mustered in on July 25, 1862, and sent to Washington, D.C., where this cover is
addressed, a few weeks later.
The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery suffered heavy losses at its first engagement, the
Battle of Cold Harbor, fought approximately 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital
of Richmond, on June 1, 1864. James Rice, now Major Rice, led the Second Battalion.
This 1888 painting depicts the Battle of Cold Harbor.
The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery was then transferred to the VI Corps to participate in
the 1864 Shenandoah Campaign, during which it again suffered heavy losses. The Battle
of Opequon, more commonly known as the
Third Battle of Winchester, was fought in
Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864, the same date listed for Major Rice's death.
The picture below shows Gen. Phil Sheridan rallying the Union troops in his famous
ride at Third Winchester.
It seems likely that the Third Battle of Wincester is where Major Rice from West Goshen,
Connecticut lost his life on September 19, 1864.
Posted 01/17/2009 10:26 pm
