Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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You are here: Home / Archives for Museum Exhibits

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Civil War Enlistment Document from the First New England Cavalry

February 11, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.

The First New England Cavalry was the brain child of Rhode Island Governor William Sprague IV, who wanted all New England states to contribute to a new cavalry regiment in the Fall of 1861. The unit ended up being comprised of only two states: two Rhode Island battalions and one battalion from New Hampshire.

After just a few months, the federal government made them change their name to the First Rhode Island Cavalry, as only state units were allowed at the time (much to the outrage of the New Hampshire men in the unit).  Documents having the cavalry’s original name are extremely rare. And here we have an enlistment document for a man who went on to become the First Rhode Island Cavalry’s regimental quartermaster.

Also in this gallery is a carte de visite (photograph) of Rhode Island’s “boy governor” William Sprague IV (circa 1861) when acting as Aide de Camp of General Ambrose Burnside, head of the Rhode Island Brigade. Sprague was the only acting Rhode Island governor to fight and lead men in battle, and had his horse shot out from under him at the First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861).

Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Enlistment document for he First Rhode Island Cavalry.
Rhode Island's "boy governor" William Sprague IV
Rhode Island’s “boy governor” William Sprague IV

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, Bull Run, cavalry, civil war, historic documents, varnum memorial armory, William Sprague

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1777 Sword Possibly Captured with British General Prescott

February 5, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

On the night of July 9, 1777, Barton’s Raiders captured the British Commander-in-Chief, General Prescott, in Middletown, RI.  At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have a sword that is purported to be the one taken from Prescott on that night.

View the images for more details!

Museum description of General Prescott's sword.
Museum description of General Prescott’s sword.
Museum description of General Prescott's sword.
Museum description of General Prescott’s sword.
Museum description of General Prescott's sword.
Museum description of General Prescott’s sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott's sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott’s sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott's sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott’s sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott's sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott’s sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott's sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott’s sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott's sword.
Purported to be British General Prescott’s sword.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: barton, prescott, revolutionary war, sword, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Cannon Ball Fired by a Ship Accompanying the CSS Virginia (Merrimack)

January 14, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Cannon ball taken from the rudder post of the USS Cumberland
Cannon ball taken from the rudder post of the USS Cumberland

New technology met “the way we’ve always done things” in a big way on March 8, 1862, off the coast of Virginia. The old war sloop, the USS Cumberland, and four other wooden Navy sailing ships faced off against the CSS Virginia (formerly the Merrimack), the world’s first steam-powered and iron-clad warship. This ship instantly made every Navy ship in the world obsolete. The Union ships were all defeated or run aground. The Cumberland was sunk.

Cleaning out one of the cases at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we found this great memento from this landmark sea battle that changed naval history forever.  The painting shows the USS Cumberland on fire and being rammed by the CSS Virginia.

USS Cumberland on fire and being rammed by the CSS Virginia
USS Cumberland on fire and being rammed by the CSS Virginia

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, CSS Virginia, Merrimack, Navy, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1839 Lithograph of General George Washington

January 14, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington

Here’s another great exhibit at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum: a large 1839 lithograph of General George Washington (the frame looks very old as well). You’ll be able to see it in our main display room.  Here’s the description:

Originally painted by Parisian artist Leon Cogniet, engraved by Jean Nicolas Laugier, and sold by James Herring of New York, this is a handsome print of Washington from the first half of the nineteenth century. It highlights the fashion in American culture for images of George Washington. During his life and following his death, Washington was elevated to national symbol, and his image graced every possible object from water jugs to neckerchiefs. Prints showing Washington were issued during his life-time and pretty much continuously throughout the nineteenth century. This is one of the most impressive full-figure engravings produced. This portrait is especially fine, taken from Gilbert Stuart’s work from the neck up, but realistically portraying Washington’s stature. As his adopted son, George Washington Parke Custis, noted, Cogniet’s representation was one of only two extant to capture Washington’s ‘matchless limbs.’

1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington
1839 lithograph of General George Washington

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 18th century, artwork, George Washington, lithograph, revolutionary war, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Gloves Soaked in the Blood of Lt Henry Prescott

January 14, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Blood-Soaked Gloves of Lt Henry Prescott
Gloves Soaked in the Blood of Lt Henry Prescott

There are a few things in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum truly makes us emotional. This is one of those items: gloves soaked in the blood of Lt Henry Prescott of the 1st Rhode Island Detached Militia, who was shot and killed at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861.  He was one of the first RI casualties in the U.S. Civil War.

Please take a moment to read the display signage that goes with this stark reminder of the human cost of war.

Display Signage for Blood-Soaked Gloves of Lt Henry Prescott
Display Signage for Blood-Soaked Gloves of Lt Henry Prescott
Gloves Soaked in the Blood of Lt Henry Prescott
Gloves Soaked in the Blood of Lt Henry Prescott
Blood-Soaked Gloves of Lt Henry Prescott
Gloves Soaked in the Blood of Lt Henry Prescott

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, battle of bull run, civil war, henry prescott, museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory

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[MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor

March 5, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

On Monday, March 20, Varnum Armory Vice President Maria Vazquez is the featured speaker for our monthly members meeting. Her presentation, “A Brief History of Anchors and the Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor,” will give an account of the history of anchors, how they developed, and how they were used. The presentation will continue with Maria’s insight into the thought and research that went into conserving an anchor from the USS Constellation, a sloop-of-war ship.

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.

Recent Posts

  • [MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor
  • [DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster
  • Varnum Armory Bathroom Renovation!

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