19th century Archives - Page 6 of 11

[APR. 10 DINNER MEETING] “My Poor Boys…ALL Are Gone!”: The First Rhode Island Cavalry in the Gettysburg Campaign

April 3, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

At the Varnum Members’ Meeting (on Monday, April 10, 2017), Varnum Memorial Armory Museum Curator Patrick Donovan tells the story of the First Rhode Island Cavalry and their important role in the Gettysburg Campaign of June 1863.

As Confederate General Robert E. Lee began to execute his daring plan to invade the North with his confident, battle-hardened Army of Northern Virginia, the First Rhode Island Cavalry were tasked with finding Lee’s 78,000 men to determine Lee’s intentions and ultimate objective. Accomplishing this mission meant dueling with the legendary troopers of the famed Confederate Cavalry Chief, General J.E.B Stuart. On June 17th, alone and behind enemy lines, 280 Rhode Islanders rode into Middleburg, VA led by their unique and controversial French Colonel only to face their final destiny.

Patrick Donovan will tell their harrowing story along with providing a brief history of the regiment and background of the Battle of Gettysburg. Original First RI Cavalry artifacts and items from this campaign will also be shared.

Reservations must be received by 5:00 PM Friday, April 7. Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email him at scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
MENU: “Steak Fry” including a premium steak with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables, salad, rolls & butter, coffee, and dessert.
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20/person

Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag

1st Rhode Island Cavalry guidon flag being professionally framed at Crestar Picture Framing

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

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] U.S. Civil War Secession Flag taken by 1st Rhode Island Infantry

March 26, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have a piece of a U.S. Civil War secession flag taken at Hagerstown by one of the members of the 1st Rhode Island Infantry (originally the 1st Rhode Island Detached Militia) and presented to “Geo M Ladd by Chas E Douglas USA July 6th 1861”.

This has to be one of the first Confederate flag’s to be taken by the Union; it’s dated only 2 weeks before First Battle of Bull Run. Charles Douglas is pictured here! What a wonderful little artifact!

Charles Douglas of the First Rhode Island Infantry

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 150 Year-Old U.S. Civil War Hardtack

March 26, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Here we have a unique item on display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum: a 152+yr old piece of U.S. Civil War hardtack, the staple food ration for Union soldiers throughout the war.

This simple and sturdy cracker made of flour, water, and salt could be easily carried and last seemingly forever. Issued 9 to 10 per day, soldiers would invent imaginative ways to prepare and eat them. Dipping them in coffee to soften them and get the worms out was common.

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Rhode Island Civil War Artillery Officer’s Frock Coat

February 12, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

This Rhode Island Civil War Artillery officer’s frock coat and pants belonged to a member of the 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, Capt. James E. Chace. His unit was a storied regiment with a lot of combat experience in many of the biggest battles of the Eastern theater. At Gettysburg, Chace was a member of Battery G as a Lieutenant. He later became a Captain in Battery B.

The shoulder board on this frock coat shows that it was originally for a Lieutenant and then a single bar was later added to make it right for a Captain. So, it is quite likely this jacket was a witness to the great Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. So far, we’ve spent about 8 hours cleaning these items. They were both covered in moth cocoon remnants and waste. It’s tedious work; removing the waste without also removing fragile fabric or making existing holes bigger. It requires great care and slow progress. But the result is very rewarding.

[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.

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).