This grouping consists of the following items:

Cased 1/6 Plate Tintype of George Potter & brother Charles Potter, Co. "B", 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. Full leather case, brass frame featuring frontal pose of two brothers in kepis and overcoat capes, side by side with cigars in opposite sides of their mouths. Inked numerals in red velvet indicate their ages, Charles 18, George 22. Tinted image clear and sharp. Leather case exhibits light wear. Else VG.

Service discharge paper of George Potter dated March 4, 1864, the day he re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer. Exhibits fold-marks, small chip near center right margin, and browning round the edges. Else VG.

Also included is a copy of The Ordnance Manual For The Use of the Officers of the United States Army, Second Edition, printed in Richmond, VA by West & Johnston in 1861. Period ink inscriptions on interior page indicate that the volume was used as a "Confederate Ordnance Manual / found at Petersburg, VA / on April 2, 1865.", with period ink inscription identifying it's owner as "Capt. A. D. Cutts / from Hermmann A. Hinch / Capt. C.S.A.". On front endpaper is affixed a small sticker identifying it as having been in the collection of the Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society of Rhode Island, having been presented by Rev. S. H. Webb on August 18, 1886. Other inscriptions in period ink read as follows: "S. & S. Hist. Soc. Of R.I. / from Rev. S. H. Webb / Aug. 18 1866"; "Geo W. Adams / Capt & Brev. Major / 1st R. I. L. Art.".

Addison D. Cutts served in the Co. F, 15th North Carolina Infantry between 5/18/61 and 5/31/64. He was wounded on 4/16/62 at Lee's Mills, VA; taken prisoner on 9/13/62 at Crampton's Gap and confined at Fort Delaware, DE and Aiken's Landing, VA until exchanged on 11/1/62, returning to his regiment on 12/1/62. Wounded at Fredericksburg 12/13/62. Promtoed to 2nd Lt. 5/2/62; 1st Lt. 6/14/62, and Capt. 7/1/62. Resigned 5/31/64. Hermann Hinch was a Major, CS General Field & Staff. The book is in fair condition - the back cover is missing, and the front cover and first page have separated from the book. Portion of the cover over the spine is missing. All pages appear to be present, and are relatively clean with just minor scattered staining.

The final items in the grouping are two modern color photos of George Potter's grave site in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI.

George W. Potter was born 12/11/1843 in Coventry, R.I. He enlisted there in Feb. 1862 as a private on in Battery "G", 1st R.I. Light Arty. And then re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer on 3/4/1865. He was mustered out with his unit 6/24/1865, and lived until 11/30/1918. He is buried in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, R.I.

Medal of Honor: On the night of April 1, while with Battery "G", 1st R.I. Light Arty. on the Petersburg lines, George Potter joined a group of volunteers selected accompany a 6th Corps infantry assault enemy lines. These volunteer artillerymen were charged to take command of all captured guns and turn them immediately on the rebels. They were to go in unarmed; their only means of defense being the artillery implements brought with them-[sponge poles, etc.] .

At daybreak the assault began and the little volunteer detachment of 17 men scaled the works and at once taking possession of twelve large guns. But, when they began to work them it was necessary to fire along the line of works in order to drive the enemy out of the embrasures at the end of the pits, and consequently, only one twenty-four pounder Napoleon could be used. It was in an exposed position and under heavy fire, but the little band managed to pour one hundred or more shots into the enemy, and eventually cause them to retire. Some of the detachment were wounded, while others were under cover but the seven who served gun so nobly were to be later rewarded for their bravery, receiving the Medal of Honor on March 4, 1886. Among these seven was George W. Potter.

Organized at Providence, R.I., in December 1861, Battery "G", 1st Rhode Island Arty, became attached to the Army of the Potomac during the 1862 Peninsula campaign. From here on it participated in most of the major actions of that army through Lee's surrender at Appomattox. During service the Battery lost 12 men killed and mortally wounded and 18 by disease for a total of 30.

George's brother Charles H. Potter, also a resident of Coventry, enlisted in Co. "B", 1st Rhode Island Cavalry on April 11, 1864. He was mustered out of service with his unit, July 19, 1865. Organized in December 1861, from the 1862 Shenandoah Campaign onward, the 1st Rhode Island participated in most of the major battles of the Army of the Potomac. During service the unit lost 17 men killed and mortally wounded and 79 by disease for a total of 96.

All in all, a superb Rhode Island grouping ID'd to one of its Medal of Honor Heroes, Pvt. George W. Potter of Battery G, 1st Rhode Island Light Arty. Documentation provided. Invites further research.