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Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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You are here: Home / Archives for Museum Exhibits

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Guidon Flag at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

May 7, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

The 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag is now on loan to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! This stunning piece of American Civil War history is on display at the armory through a generous loan from the Rhode Island National Guard (RING).  Book a tour at the armory to view this exciting new exhibit!

1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag

This flag has witnessed some of the most ferocious and important cavalry battles of the Civil War. It was present for the Gettysburg Campaign where the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company were tasked with finding General Robert E. Lee‘s Army of Northern Virginia as it moved north through the Shenandoah Valley towards Maryland and eventually Pennsylvania.

But to find Lee’s Arm, they first had to punch through Confederate General Jeb Stuart’s cavalry screens guarding the mountain gaps.  At Middleburg, VA, the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company were essentially surrounded and attacked by a North Carolina regiment. Out of roughly 280 men, the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company lost 250 or so (most being captured).

This flag (belonging to Company L) was captured on that day, June 17, 1863. The flag remained in North Carolina in a museum for over 100 years before North Carolina returned the flag to Rhode Island in a ceremony held at the armory in 2008. The RING has been keeper of the flag ever since. Thank you RING for this generous loan!

BOOK A TOUR AT THE ARMORY TODAY!

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

Renovations Continue at the Varnum Armory Museum!

April 24, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Armory Curator Patrick Donovan and Varnum Continentals Treasurer Tim Jackson (along with other volunteers) have made great progress toward the renovation of the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum’s exhibit spaces.  There’s be demolition, new LED lighting for display cases, lining of display cases with unbleached linen, and overall painting.  Once that’s done, we will put down a new floor. The goal is to finish all of it before Memorial Day.

The renovation is taking place in a small part of the museum, so we’re still open for tours.
CLICK HERE TO TOUR THE ARMORY!

The hard work continues to update our Armory exhibit spaces.
An empty exhibit cabinet, ready for a makeover.
This is how we make room while we perform renovations.
A cleaned-out exhibit room.
A cleaned-out exhibit room.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory, volunteer

[FEATURE EXHIBIT] Artillery Sponge/Rammer, and Worm for Civil War James Canon

March 30, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

We had a great time at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show!  Our collection now has a fantastic artillery sponge/rammer and worm for the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s Civil War James gun.

This set has its original paint and appears to have been actually used in the field to load and swab the bore of a 6-pounder cannon.  It comes from the Valley Forge Historical Society, having been acquired by them in the 1910s.  The collection at that time was said to have come from Antietam and Gettysburg; both not too far from Valley Forge. It’s amazing that the lambs wool (or carpet?) still remains on the sponge head!  This is extremely rare!  Book a tour to see this exciting piece.

New accessories for the James Canon
New accessories for the James Canon
New accessories for the James Canon
New accessories for the James Canon
New accessories for the James Canon
New accessories for the James Canon

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

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1804 Passport Signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison!

December 31, 2015 By James Mitchell Varnum

Look what we just found! Yet ANOTHER treasure in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum archives.  This is an 1804 ship’s passport signed by President Thomas Jefferson AND then Secretary of State James Madison.

An 1804 ship's passport signed by President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of State James Madison.
An 1804 ship’s passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
An 1804 ship's passport signed by President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of State James Madison.
An 1804 ship’s passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
An 1804 ship's passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
An 1804 ship’s passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
An 1804 ship's passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
An 1804 ship’s passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
An 1804 ship's passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
An 1804 ship’s passport signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

If you’d like to see this and other fantastic exhibits, then book a tour at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum!

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: historic documents, james madison, revolutionary war, thomas jefferson, varnum memorial armory

[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.

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

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[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.

Recent Posts

  • [DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster
  • Varnum Armory Bathroom Renovation!
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