USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 46
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The roll of the 1st Light Infantry since its beginning has received upward of 1,800 names. At all times there has been the full comple- ment of men, officers, equipments and uniforms for duty. Every commanding officer, captain or colonel, has been promoted from the ranks. Its career, socially considered, has also been a brilliant one. Perhaps no military organization in the country has more frequently played the part of guest or entertainer than this. The 1st Light In- fantry Veteran Association, an organization growing out of this, had its beginning June 3d, 1869. Every man who has been a member of the regiment for five years is entitled to membership. More than 400 veterans now belong to the association. From the beginning to the present time the following persons have been in command of the 1st Light Infantry: Captain Job Angell, 1818-20; Stephen K. Rath- bone, 1820-6; John J. Stimpson, 1826-9; William L. Field, 1829-30; James Shaw, 1830-5; William W. Brown, 1835-58 (title changed to colonel in 1844); Colonel N. W. Brown, 1858; Colonel W. W. Brown, returned 1858-61; Captain Joseph W. Taylor, a few months in 1861; Captain W. W. Brown, 1861-7; Charles R. Dennis, 1867-74 (colonel from 1872); Colonel R. H. I. Goddard, 1874-83; Major William H. Thornton, 1883-6; and as colonel from 1886 to the present time.
The Providence Marine Corps of Artillery had its origin in the Providence Marine Society; hence all its officers and most of its mem- bers were at first members of that society, and practical seamen. The organization was effected under its charter in 1801, with a lieu- tenant colonel, two majors, one captain and two lieutenants. The corps was armed originally with two heavy iron cannon, which were drawn by horses. The men marched on either side and carried short heavy swords. Subsequently brass field pieces were used in place of the iron cannon, but in other respects their armament and ' drill were not materially changed until after the Dorr war, in which
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the organization took an active part in defense of the established government. At that time their equipment was scarlet caps, trimmed with brass, black fountain plumes, with scarlet tips, blue coats trimmed with scarlet, scarlet epaulettes, white pantaloons, black belts and cartridge boxes. In May, 1842, the charter was amended so as to remove all restrictions in regard to the connection with the old Marine Society, so that its members and officers were henceforth drawn from all classes.
In 1843 the Marines accepted the provisions of a militia law then passed by the legislature providing for the organization of skeleton regiments, and its officers became a colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain and lieutenant, with a full staff. This continued until the repeal of that law in 1862, when the corps fell back again upon its charter. May 12th, 1848, it paraded for the first time as a light bat- tery of four guns, under Colonel Walter C. Simmons, Sr., on the oc- casion of the funeral of Major John R. Vinton, who had been killed in Mexico and whose remains were then interred at Swan Point Cemetery. This was then the only battery of "flying artillery" in the United States outside of the regular army. It is claimed with commendable pride that this corps is the progenitor of all others of the kind in the eastern part of the United States. In 1852, under command of the late Joseph P. Balch, the Marines made an excur- sion of a week to Boston, where they encamped on the Common. Their exercises while there excited so much admiration and enthusi- asm that a similar company was immediately organized in that city, and in a few weeks the officers of the first battery of light artillery that ever existed in Massachusetts militia came to Providence to be drilled by Colonel Balch and his officers in the arsenal on Benefit street. Thus the Marine Artillery is the mother of all the Massa- chusetts batteries, as well as those of Rhode Island.
On the accession of Hon. William Sprague to the command of the corps its capability was increased and it was made a six-gun battery, with complete equipment to correspond. The finest exhibition ever made by it on parade was the complimentary reception tendered Colonel Sprague on his return from Europe, January 24th, 1860, just before his election as governor of the state. On that occasion it numbered 105 men and 73 horses.
On the breaking out of the rebellion the Marines started for Washington as a company of 142 men, under command of Captain Charles H. Tompkins, leaving their armory on the afternoon of April 18th, 1861. They were the second command to start for the defense of the national capital, the 13th Massachusetts having started the day before. This service was for three months, and again in 1-62 the Marines entered the field for a like term, this time under the command of Captain Edwin C. Gallup. Again, in the summer of 1863 the corps performed coast guard service at "the Bonnet,"
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entrance of West Passage, for a month. It was then under its state organization, Edwin C. Gallup serving as lieutenant colonel commanding. Its arsenal was a recruiting station in the time of the war, and so the corps was associated with the formation of the Light Artillery Regiment, and the 3d Regiment Heavy Artillery, both of which went hence to the front, the armory of the Marines thus be- coming the starting point for 2,262 men and 62 officers. Of men be- longing to the Marine Artillery previous to entering the national service 47 held commissions varying from that of. second lieutenant to brevet brigadier general in the three several arms as well as in the staff corps. Among these should be mentioned General Charles H. Tompkins, chief of artillery of the 6th Corps; General John G. Hazard, chief of the 2d Corps; Lieutenant Colonel John Albert Monroe, chief of the 2d and 9th Corps; Lieutenant Colonel William H. Reynolds, of the 1st R. I. Light Artillery; Colonel Henry T. Sis- son, of the 5th R. I. Volunteers; Colonel George L. Andrews, of the Regulars; Colonel Joseph Andrews, of an Iowa regiment; Colonel Charles T. Robbins, of the 9th R. I. Volunteers; and Brevet Briga- dier General Joseph P. Balch, already mentioned. Besides Governor Sprague's chief officers, other former members of the Marines were Adjutant General Edward C. Mauran; Quartermaster General Lyman B. Frieze, Paymaster General Jabez C. Knight, and even General Burnside himself.
For about ten years after the close of the rebellion the Marine Artillery maintained its independent character, receiving orders from the governor alone. On the 19th of April, 1875, however, it relinquished this exclusiveness and accepted the provisions of the state militia law, which it has ever since continued faithfully to observe. Its headquarters are at the arsenal on Benefit street, and its commander is Lieutenant Colonel John A. Russell. Among those who have faithfully served the Marine Artillery in their day and generation may be mentioned the late Mayors William M. Rodman and Thomas A. Doyle, Chief Justices William R. Staples and Samuel Ames, Governor Seth Padelford, Senator Henry B. Anthony and Governor Henry Lippitt.
The Veteran Association of the Marine Corps of Artillery was organized January 21st, 1874. Its objects are to afford opportunities for the social re-union of those who have been associated in the scenes and labors of the corps, to revive pleasant memories of the past, to preserve the fellow sympathy between comrades, and to give the active corps the benefit of their interest, influence and strength. It numbers about one hundred and fifty members. William Millen is its present colonel; Joseph H. Fanning, lieutenant colonel; William R. Arnold, major; E. Perry Butts, captain; James S. Davis, first lieu- tenant; Amos M. Hawkins, second lieutenant; George B. Peck, adju- tant; Reverend Frederic Denison, chaplain; Samuel W. Peckham,
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judge advocate, and Ellery C. Davis, secretary, treasurer and clerk.
The Mechanics' Rifles were chartered in October, 1854. The charter members were: William G. Pettis, George T. Dexter, James Seamans, Eben B. Cole, Laban Tift, Thomas Bull, George O. Gorton, James S. Hudson, William Whitaker, Samuel Brightman, Benjamin Himes, George D. Cole, Abiel L. Leonard, Joseph Dudley, Daniel Mathewson, Edward A. Luther, Edwin G. Luther, N. G. Totten, James Houghton, Charles H. Snow, L. H. Tillinghast, Albert C. G. Smith, Andrew J. Billings, Charles Bowers, William N. Rounds, William H. Sherman, Henry B. Franklin, William B. Spooner, Allen Hawkes, George B. White, Ezra Aylsworth, George A. Williams, Benjamin F. Hancock, Mumford Read, Erastus C. Eldridge, David R. Sherman, William H. Tanner, Robert S. Brownell and William Talbot.
It was originally chartered as a company and had a captain and three lieutenants. The first commander was Lieutenant W. G. Pettis. The uniform was a dark blue frock coat, with green trimmings, light blue pants, with a fine green cord as stripe, black hat, with green pompon. A white cross belt was worn, upon the breastplate of which were the letters " M. R.," and for arms the old Austrian rifle was carried, with a sabre bayonet. In January, 1856, the charter was amended, permitting them to have regimental officers. In April, 1855, John S. Slocum was elected captain, and in the following April he was elected colonel. He remained in this position till September, 1:58. Colonel Thomas F. Vaughn succeeded him at that time, hold- ing till April, 1859, when Henry T. Sisson was elected colonel. We do not know how long he continued in command, but in January, 1861, Morris B. Morgan appears in command as lieutenant colonel. At that time the Rifles were organized as a battalion of three com- panies, A, B and C, their captains respectively being David A. Pelou- bet, A. G. Bates and Charles W. H. Day. During the year Lieuten- ant Colonel Morgan was elected colonel. During the years of the war the battalion was broken up for the time, by the enlistments of its members in different sections of the national service. A Home Guard was organized to preserve somewhat its identity, and of this Jonathan M. Wheeler, William T. Lewis and Stephen C. Arnold were placed successively in command, the latter resigning in December, 1868. He was succeeded by Charles H. Scott, Colonel Harvey and John Worden.
At the January session of the legislature in 1870 the name of this organization was changed to the Slocum Light Guard, which has since been preserved. A new uniform of dark blue swallow-tail coats and light blue pants, both having white trimmings, was adopted, and muskets of the old Springfield pattern were taken. Succeeding offi- cers in command were: Colonel D. A. Dolan, 1870; Lieutenant Colonel James H. Smith, April, 1572; Colonel Stephen C. Arnold, April, 1873; Colonel B. P. Swarts, 1874; Colonel W. B. W. Hallett, April. 1877;
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Colonel Swarts, 1879; Colonel B. McSoley, 1883; Colonel J. P. H. Wil- bur, 1885. On receiving its charter it was attached to the 2d Brigade, and known as Company B, of the 4th Battalion. On the reorganiza- tion of the militia in 1879, under the present brigade system, the 4th Battalion, Companies B and D. were transferred to the 2d Battalion and designated as Companies E and D.
The first armory of the corps was on Page street, in a building originally used as a fire station. Later they were quartered in the hall over the engine station at the corner of Benefit and College streets. From there they moved to the Anthony building on Ex- change place, and then to the Reynolds building on Weybosset street, and in 1875 they occupied their present quarters at the corner of Broad and Byron streets, which is one of the most convenient and well appointed armories in the city. The company has attained a high order of discipline and proficiency, and ranks among the best drilled in the state.
The Providence Horse Guards was organized in September, 1842, after the close of the Dorr war. It was chartered by the assembly in October, and was for many years the only cavalry company in the state. Among the charter members were Almon D. Hodges, George W. Hallett, Samuel G. Arnold, William W. Hoppin, John Giles, Moses B. Ives, John A. Wadsworth and Thomas J. Stead. The num- ber of members was limited by the charter to 200 men, exclusive of the officers. The captain, lieutenants and adjutant were commis- sioned by the governor and engaged like the officers of the militia. Its first officers were: Almon D. Hodges, captain; George W. Hallett, first lieutenant; Samuel G. Arnold, second lieutenant; William W. Hoppin, third lieutenant; John Giles, fourth lieutenant, and John A. Wadsworth, adjutant. It soon became a most efficient and thoroughly drilled cavalry company, but after a few years the interest waned, and the organization became extinct. In 1861, however, when the bugles of war were sounding throughout the land, the organization was renewed, the charter being revived. It now received a regi- mental form; George W. Hallett was elected colonel, H. L. Kendall lieutenant colonel, Albert S. Gallup major, Robert Manton captain, Royal C. Taft lieutenant, T. L. Dunnell paymaster, Usher Parsons surgeon, Washington Hoppin assistant surgeon. The command was composed of wealthy and prominent members of the community. In its ranks were to be found such men as Alexander Duncan, Moses B. Ives and Augustus Bourne. The uniform then adopted was blue frock coat and dark blue pantaloons, with yellow trimmings on all, and high crowned felt hat bearing black ostrich plumes and orna- ments. The 1st R. I. Cavalry was composed of members of the Horse Guards consolidated with New Hampshire cavalrymen. The training which the members of the Horse Guards had received pre- pared them to become good and efficient officers, and they distin-
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guished themselves on many a bloody field in the arena of the war; Antietam, Kelly's Ford and other familiar battle records having honorable remembrances of them. While the war was in progress the organization at home was kept up, and was constantly preparing others for active duty. In September, 1862, the Guards were detailed for special duty under Lieutenant Colonel Albert S. Gallup, guarding the United States General Hospital at Portsmouth Grove. They were sworn into the United States service for this, and received many com- plimentary notices for the excellent manner in which they performed their duties. During the time of the great draft riots in New York in July, 1863, they were on guard duty in this city three days and nights, to be ready to check any outburst of the riotous element that might be encouraged here by the ill-starred example given in that city.
After the war the interest in the organization again declined, but a sufficient number of names on the roster were maintained, and enough attention was given to the organization to hold the charter until 1870, when a new organization was effected with a new lease of life and energy, inspired by the enthusiasm and activity of Colonel Frederick Miller, its commander. In a short time then two com- panies of 50 men each were formed and new uniforms were procured. They consisted of red frock coats with short skirts and blue, yellow and gold trimmings, light blue pantaloons with broad yellow stripes, and an Austrian metal helmet, mounted with an eagle's head and a flowing white horsehair plume. The officers then elected were: Frederick Miller, colonel; J. Lippitt Snow, lieutenant colonel; Stephen Brownell, major; Charles F. Taylor, adjutant; Sylvanus Burgess, quartermaster; Charles A. Hubbard, paymaster; George B. Earle, commissary, and Thomas H. Perry, surgeon. Officers elected for Troop A were: Augustus O. Bourne, captain: James B. Paine, first lieutenant, and Edwin Dean, second lieutenant. The officers of Troop B were: Charles H. Sprague, captain; John H. Joslin, first lieutenant, and Josiah A. King, second lieutenant. Henceforward the command prospered. Colonel Miller was appointed brigadier general of the Second Brigade, March 27th, 1874, upon which he re- signed his position in the Horse Guards, and J. Lippitt Snow was elected colonel.
When the state militia law was revised, in 1875, the Providence Horse Guards and the Pawtucket Horse Guards were consolidated in the 1st Battalion of Cavalry. Of this battalion J. Lippitt Snow was made colonel; John W. Leckie, of the Pawtucket company, lieuten- ant colonel; and Henry V. A. Joslin, major. In 1879, when the militia was again reorganized, the battalion of cavalry was reduced to two companies. Company A, of Providence, was disbanded, and the of- fices of colonel and lieutenant colonel were abolished. Major Joslin commanded the battalion until August 19th, when he resigned. He
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was succeeded by Major George N. Bliss, who served three years, and was succeeded by Major Alexander Strauss, who still retains the command. Other field and line officers at the present time are: Thomas Child, adjutant; George S. Tingley, quartermaster: Hobart L. Gates, paymaster; Ferdinand Bray, commissary; Joseph L. Wool- ley, chaplain. Company A: Edward T. Jones, captain; James Allen- son, first lieutenant; Charles Allenson, second lieutenant. Company B: Edward M. Clarke, captain; William A. Maynard, first lieutenant. During the early years of the organization the company had no armory, but used various halls and the armory of the Marine Artil- lery. From 1863 to 1865 they occupied the old armory of the 1st Light Infantry, on Meeting street. They then removed to Westmin- ster Hall, on Westminster street. Previous to 1863 all the uniforms and equipments were the property of the company, and all expenses were paid by the members. At that time the state issued horse equipments, and in 1865 clothing was issued by the general govern- ment. The uniforms and equipments thus obtained were retained until the revival of the organization in 1870.
The Burnside National Guards, R. I. Militia, a command of colored men, which grew out of the remembrances of the war, was organized in Richmond Hall, on High street, August 14th, 1867. Two compa- nies of infantry were at that time formed, which were afterward at- tached to the 2d Brigade, R. I. Militia. The first officers of the Burn- side National Guards were: Moses F. Brown, major; George H. Black, adjutant; John H. Creighton, quartermaster: Ezra J. Morris, paymas- ter; Jerome Morgan, sergeant major; Reverend Thomas A. Davis, chaplain. Company A: John H. Munroe, captain; William Scott, first lieutenant; William Johnson, second lieutenant. Company B: Zebe- dee Howland, captain; Leonard G. Phenix, first lieutenant; Thomas Brinn, second lieutenant. When first organized the state furnished them with uniforms the same as those worn by the United States army, and they were armed with Springfield muzzle-loading rifles. On their first public parade, at the annual muster of the 2d Brigade, October 11th, 1867, they displayed such proficiency in performing the various evolutions of the drill service as to attract the attention and admiration of all spectators. A few days later they took part in the grand reception given to General Phil. Sheridan, in this city, Octo- ber 23d. In December another company was added to the battalion, known as Company C, and officered as follows: Charles C. Johnson, captain; Daniel Perry, first lieutenant; William A. Harris, second lieutenant.
In 1870 the battalion purchased an independent uniform, consist- ing of dark blue dress coats, trimmed with light blue and gold; light blue trousers, with dark blue stripe. This was worn until the adop- tion of the present state uniform. Since its formation the battalion has taken part in nearly every important military display in the city
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and state. It has occupied as armories Richmond Hall, the old In- fantry Armory on Meeting street, a hall in the Phoenix Building on Westminster street, the hall at >7 Canal street, and a hall in the third story of the building at the corner of Winter and Cranston streets.
In 1874 the Burnside Guards, of Newport, were attached to the battalion, as Company D, and the name of the battalion was changed to the 6th, of Infantry, and attached to the 1st Brigade. In 1879 the 4th Battalion was formed by disbanding Company D, and consolidat- ing the other three companies into two, known as Companies A and B. In 1887 these were again changed in title to the ist and 2d Sepa- rate Companies of Infantry, by which they are now designated. The officers in command of the Burnside National Guards have success- ively been: Major Moses F. Brown, 1867-9; Major Zebedee Howland, 1870-1, 1873; Major George Black, 1872. Of 6th Battalion: Colonel John H. Munroe, 1874-7; Colonel Lewis Kenegee, 1878. Of 4th Bat- talion, Major Albert E. Smith, 1879-82; Major George T. Smith, 1883- 6. Of Ist Separate Company: Captain William H. Beckett, 1857-8; Captain Robert W. Blount, 1889. Of the 2d Separate Company: Cap- tain Stephen J. West, 1887-8; Captain John H. Frazer, 1859.
The Meagher Guards, an organization of high repute for excel- lence of discipline, equipment and action, was organized in the armory of the Mechanics' Rifles, on Exchange place, Tuesday evening, May 5th, 1865. The promoters of this organization were veterans who had but recently returned from the war. The name was adopted as a compliment to General Thomas Francis Meagher. The company received official recognition very soon after its organi- zation. The first captain was James Moran. He resigning in August of the same year, Michael Costello succeeded. He resigned April 18th, 1866, and Edward A. Moran was elected captain. He served until April 14th, 1874, when he resigned. He was followed by James H. McGann, whose term of service extended to December, of the same year. James E. Sullivan became captain December 1st, 1874, and continued till May 30th, 1875, when Peter McHugh received his commission as captain, continuing till July 24th, 1876. Captain Thomas H. Powers succeeded on the last mentioned date, and served until June 9th, 1885, when he resigned. Bernard Hackett took command next, and he still holds the position. Other officers of the company are Robert H. Ormsbee, first lieutenant: John Kelly, second lieutenant. The company is officially known as Company E, of the 2d Regiment of Infantry. It formerly was one of the companies forming the old battalion known as the Rhode Island Guards, and when the militia was reorganized in 1879, it became Company A, of the 5th Battalion of Infantry, and so con- tinued until about 1887, when the present designation was given it. The Meagher Guards at first occupied the armory of the Mechan- ics' Rifles, and afterward the Hawkins Hall on Canal street; a hall
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on Weybosset street, opposite the post office; a hall in the Harring- ton Opera House building; a hall in H. B. Aylsworth's building on North Main street; the " Meal Chest " on Canal street; Cooney's Hall on the same street; Hennessey's Hall on the same street; Hope Hall in Young & Lyon's building on North Main street; and then the old infantry armory on Dorrance street. Besides many other occa- sions of note on which the Meagher Guards have paraded in public or played the part of host or guest, they participated in the parade at the inauguration of President Cleveland, March 4th, 1885, leaving this city Monday evening, March 2d, and arriving on their return, Saturday morning, March 7th.
On the 10th of July, 1869, a meeting was held to consider the or- ganization of an independent military company by a number of young Irish-Americans. A few weeks later the organization was completed. The first captain was Jeremiah Costine; William McPhearson, first lieutenant; and James Campbell, second lieutenant. This company was entirely independent, receiving no state aid for a number of years, but supplying itself with uniforms, equipments and other requisites by means of its own funds. Captain Costine being elected colonel of the battalion of Rhode Island Guards in 1872, First Lieu- tenant McPhearson was promoted to the command of this company. Remaining in the position until July, 1879, he was succeeded by Cap- tain John J. Dwyer. The latter remained in command of the com- pany until July, 1582, when he resigned, and Captain McPhearson was again elected. He continued in that position till 1887, when he was succeeded by Thomas H. Donahue, who remains to the present time. The lieutenants of the company are William P. Dillon, first, and Daniel J. Dwyer, second. This company was for several years independent, being known as the Wolfe Tone Guards. In 1876 they became a part of the state militia in the Battalion Rhode Island Guards. They were designated as Company F, 5th Battalion of In- fantry, but in 1879 this designation was changed to Company B. of the same battalion, and in 1887 to Company F, of the 2d Regiment of Infantry. During the greater part of its history this company has occupied the old Assembly Rooms in Arnold Block on North Main street as its armory.
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