Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History
This is the Latham Artillery Battery guidon (restored by the University of Rhode Island Conservation Laboratory). This historic flag is a powerful symbol of Rhode Island’s sacrifice in the American Civil War. The 4th Rhode Island Volunteers captured it after making a bold charge at the Battle of New Berne on March 14th, 1862.
The flag is on loan to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum from the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery’s Museum of Rhode Island Military History.
A key aspect of the Varnum Continental’s mission is to preserve Rhode Island military history. To that end we are working with the Benefit Street Arsenal to professionally conserve and mount a priceless Rhode Island Civil War treasure: a Confederate artillery battery guidon flag captured by the 4th Rhode Island Volunteers after making a desperate charge at the Battle of New Bern on March 14, 1862.
The flag was sent home and placed here at Benefit Street where it was hung with nails for 155 years. The flag is a valuable symbol of the sacrifice that Rhode Island made for the cause of freedom and Union. We’re very proud of this important conservation work. Many thanks goes out to Brendan Synnamon of the Union Drummer Boy in Gettysburg for his expert assistance.
