Varnum Continentals

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[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Second Tintype of Rhode Island American Civil War Veteran

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Lyman Aylesworth (1st Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War)
Lyman Aylesworth (1st Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War)

Amazingly, a second tintype of Lyman Aylesworth (1st Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War) has been found; this time on horseback in the field with his saber drawn. This is a fantastic image even without the ID of Aylesworth. The frame is identical to the other tintype in our possession. A dealer had both images together and had sold them separately not knowing they were identified to anyone specifically.

This incredible image will soon be on display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum along with his uniform, sword, and other accoutrements.

Thank you, Adam Ochs Fleischer, for getting it to us!

Lyman Aylesworth (1st Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War)
Lyman Aylesworth (1st Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War)

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

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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).

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Civil War Guidon Flag gets Professional Framing

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We took the Civil War-era 1st Rhode Island Cavalry guidon flag to Crestar Picture Framing today for a professional display.  In these images, Tony Scelsa takes precise measurements for the new frame.

We plan to mount a plexiglass sheet with museum-quality ultra-violet protection over the flag’s existing archival-safe matting and frame.  The treated plexiglass will protect the flag from light damage and will keep curious fingers and dust off of the cloth.  The display’s backside is open to the unbleached linen backing to allow the flag to breathe.

While the custom framing is ordered and built, the flag will be professionally cleaned previous to display in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.  To book a tour of the Armory’s military history collection, just click here.

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

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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!

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!

[MAY 9 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker LTC Oscar Diano (US Army): The Philippine Scouts and the Last Horse Cavalry Charge in Combat

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The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of Filipino-Americans assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, Philippine Scout units were given a suffix of (PS), to distinguish them from other U.S. Army units. One of these units, the 26th Cavalry (PS), holds the distinction of being the last American mounted tactical cavalry unit in combat.

On the Bataan Peninsula, the 26th Cavalry (PS) staged a mounted attack against the Japanese on January 16, 1942. It was the last mounted charge in America’s military annals, and proved the climax of the 26th Cavalry’s magnificent but doomed horseback campaign against the Imperial Japanese Army during the fall of the Philippines in 1941-42.

LTC Oscar Diano (US Army)
LTC Oscar Diano (US Army)

Our speaker, LTC Oscar Diano, will present the dramatic story of this last horse cavalry charge and the history of the Philippine Scouts. Diano joined the National Security Affairs Department of the U.S. Naval War College in 2014. He is a 1994 graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, with a degree in Political Science. His assignments include tours in Texas, Colorado, Germany, Bosnia, Georgia and Kuwait. He has served two tours in Iraq. His last assignment was at the Maneuver Center of Excellence as the Squadron Commander for 2nd Squadron, 16 U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course). He recently returned from Operation Inherent Resolve as the Deputy CJ35 (Future Operations). He earned a master’s degree from the Command and General Staff College (Fort Leavenworth, KS) in 2007.

DATE: Monday, May 9, 2016
TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
PLACE: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St., E. Greenwich, RI.
MENU: Grilled lamb chops, Chicken Francaise, roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, and salad. Coffee & dessert.
FEE: $15/person

RSVP by FRIDAY, May 6, to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email scott@ritemps.com.

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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