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You are here: Home / Museum Exhibits / [FEATURED EXHIBIT] New Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] New Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry

December 17, 2015 By James Mitchell Varnum

Christmas came early for the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. We just acquired several wonderful identified artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a hard-fighting unit in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Thank you, Brendan Synnamon and your shop, The Union Drummer Boy, for putting all these things together!

Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.
Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a Civil War unit in the Army of the Potomac.

HISTORY: 1st Rhode Island Cavalry

The regiment was organized between December 1861 and March 1862 at Pawtucket as the 1st New England Cavalry. Late in that month, the regiment was sent to Washington D.C. and initially assigned to Hatch’s cavalry brigade in Nathaniel Banks’ V Corps in the Department of the Shenandoah. Throughout the war, the regiment would be a part of many reorganizations of the cavalry, although the majority of its service was with the Army of the Potomac.

Most of the regiment’s service in 1862 was in northern Virginia, where it served as scouts to determine enemy movements, as well as foraging for supplies and screening infantry movements. The troopers saw action contesting Stonewall Jackson’s cavalry in the Valley Campaign. They fought in the Second Bull Run Campaign, as well as many other battles of note, including service in the cavalry actions surrounding the Battle of Fredericksburg.

In 1863, they participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign, and played an important role in the opening battle of the Gettysburg Campaign at Brandy Station. Shortly thereafter, isolated and alone deep in Confederate territory on a scouting mission, they lost nearly 240 of their 280 remaining men at the June 17 skirmish at Middleburg. The regiment was refitted with new recruits and performed scouting and outpost duty along the upper Potomac River until September, when they rejoined the Army of the Potomac, participating in the Bristoe Campaign and Mine Run Campaign.

The following year, the 1st Rhode Island served in the defenses of Washington D.C. before eventually returning to the Shenandoah Valley under the command of Philip H. Sheridan. Due to heavy battle losses, the regiment was consolidated to a battalion of four companies on January 1, 1865. They continued serving in the valley for much of the rest of the war before being mustered out at Baltimore, Maryland on August 3, 1865.

During the war, the regiment lost 1 officer and 16 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 2 officers and 77 enlisted men to disease. Hundreds more were wounded or captured. A total of 2,124 different men served in the regiment at various times, although its field strength normally was less than 500 effectives.


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Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, cavalry, civil war, varnum memorial armory

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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