USA > Rhode Island > History of the Ninth and Tenth Regiments Rhode Island Volunteers, and the Tenth Rhode Island Battery, in the Union Army in 1862 > Part 4
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Thursday, September 26th, a meeting of the State Central Military Committee was held in Franklin Hall at 10.30 A. M., Wednesday, September 25th, Colonel Hallet in the chair. Repre- sentatives from sixteen towns reported 1,930 men, who have already attached themselves to the new volunteer organizations.
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RHODE ISLAND . NATIONAL GUARD.
The following circular was adopted by the Committee :
The State Central Military Committee, who have in charge the organization of the volunteer drill corps in this State, have de- cided upon the following rules and orders :
Formation of Companies. It is particularly directed that every town and city in the State should immediately organize one or more military companies, of not less than 60 and not more than 100, rank and file, to be called, " The National Guard of Rhode Island." In the smaller towns and villages the volunteers should, if practicable, unite to form together a full company.
Officers. Each company shall elect one captain and three lieu- tenants, who will be commissioned by the Governor, according to the provisions of sections 8, 9, and 10 of chapter 232 of the Re- vised Statutes ; also, five sergeants and eight corporals, who will be appointed by the commanding officer. The commanding officer of each company will report to the Secretary of this Committee as soon as said company is organized, the names of his lieuten- ants, the number of men who hold themselves ready to parade at one day's notice, and the number of arms and equipments, if any, now in his possession.
The Committee particularly request that the names of no men be registered as members of the volunteers who intend to parade with any of the chartered companies.
Smaller bodies of men may be organized under the command of a first lieutenant.
The Drill. The drill of the companies will be strictly the United States infantry tactics for the musket, as promulgated by the Sec- retary of War in the United States Tactics, published May 1, 1861.
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
Uniforms. The uniform of the Volunteers shall consist of a blue army cap, dark blue tunic and light blue pants.
Arms and Equipments. As soon as the roll of the company is full, the Commandant will apply to the Secretary of this Commit- tee for the necessary arms and equipments.
Object of the Organization. Every true patriot must readily perceive that it is of the utmost importance in the present crisis for Rhode Island to have, in addition to the force sent into the field, a "power of reserve."
This volunteer organization is the school of the citizen soldier. Men acquire, both as officers and privates, a knowledge of military drill and tactics. It generates a military spirit, at home and abroad, so that should the occasion call upon us to defend our own soil, or, as is more probable, should any of us wish to enlist with- the noble band who have gone forth to MEET the foes of our country, we shall find ourselves ready.
We call upon every able-bodied man in Rhode Island who is not attached to any other military company, to become a member of this organization, and give it his personal presence and support.
Let it be manifest that the patriotism which was sealed by the blood of our fathers in the American Revolution, is alive to-day, and that WE stand ready to defend and support the Union, the Constitution, and the laws of our country.
WM. SPRAGUE,
President State Central Military Committee. WM. E. HAMLIN,
Secretary.
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
November 7th. Several of the companies of the National Guard of Providence paraded this afternoon on the Dexter Training Ground for battalion drill. The line was formed at 3.30 P. M. by Captain Dunham, acting adjutant, and Lieut. C. S. Sweet, acting sergeant-major. The following companies were present : Second Ward, Capt. Charles H. Dunham; Fourth Ward, Capt. Elisha Dyer; Fifth Ward, Capt. Stephen H. Hall ; Sixth Ward, Capt. Hopkins B. Cady, and the Washington Continentals, Captain Westcott Handy. Acting Colonel James Shaw, Jr., assumed the command, receiving the customary honors as he took the position. The battalion was then exercised in various field movements and acquitted itself very creditably. At a little past five the line broke into column and moved from the parade down High and Westminster streets, under escort of the Horse Guards, Colonel Hallett. Colonel Shaw was much gratified at the success of the exhibition. He had long advocated the formation of battalions and the learning of battalion drill, and had made several trials with the Fifth and Sixth Ward companies. The Journal said, "The exhibition was, on the whole, very successful, and it will not be long before our people will possess enough of the military spirit and drill to gather, if necessary, a magnificent army of a million men. No effort should be spared to enlist in the State National Guard every able-bodied man. His Excellency the Governor enters warmly into the scheme, and has been untiring in his efforts to secure its accomplishment, until almost daily, throughout the State, fully seven thousand men have been under drill, and the name, 'The National Guard of Rhode Island,' has been adopted."
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
Another parade and drill of the Providence Guards occurred Thursday, November 21st. Five companies participated, with James Shaw, Jr., colonel ; Charles H. Dunham, major; G. Frank Low, adjutant ; and Charles J. Sweet, sergeant-major. It has been finally decided by the military authorities that there shall be a parade and review of the entire volunteer and militia forces of the State, on Saturday, November 30th.
December 2d. There was a grand parade and review of the reserve military forces of the State, on Saturday, November 30th.
The day was cold and stormy ; still about two thousand men were in line. The First Brigade was commanded by Brig .- Gen. Charles T. Robbins, as follows : Providence Horse Guards, Home Battery Light Artillery; First Regiment under the command of Col. William W. Brown; Second Regiment under the command of Col. James Shaw, Jr., aided by the following officers : Lieut .- Col. Charles H. Merriman, Major Charles H. Dunham, Adjut. G. Frank Low, Sergt .- Major Charles J. Sweet. The companies were : American Brass Band, eighteen pieces ; Burnside Zouaves, Capt. H. Herbert Sheldon ; First Ward National Guards, Capt. A. Crawford Greene; Second Ward, Lieut. Wm. S. Smith ; Third Ward, Capt. Wm. M. Hale; Fourth Ward, Capt. Elisha Dyer; Fifth Ward, Capt. Stephen H. Hall ; Sixth Ward, Capt. Hopkins B. Cady ; Seventh Ward, Capt. Charles R. Dennis ; Washington Continentals, Capt. Westcott Handy, and the Ells- worth Phalanx, Capt. Daniel W. Lyman (High School).
The Second Brigade was commanded by Brig. Gen. Wm. T. Barton, with Capt. Jacob Dunnell, aide-de-camp, and Major Chris- topher Duckworth brigade major and inspector, as follows : Third
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Regiment, commanded by Col. Olney Arnold; Pawtucket Light Guard, Co. A, Capt. Robert McCloy; Pawtucket Light Guard, Co. B, Capt. Jesse Cudworth, Jr .; Woonsocket Guards, Captain Steere, 33 men; Pawtucket National Guard, Lieutenant Bliss ; Woonsocket National Guards, Capt. C. L. Watson ; Lonsdale National Guard, Capt. Geo. Kilburn ; Georgiaville National Guard, Capt. Edward Steere; Johnston National Guard, Capt. George Harris ; North Scituate National Guard, Capt. Moses F. Roberts ; Slatersville National Guard, Capt. Isaac Place ; Slatersville Union Guard, Capt. Philip P. Hall; Slater Drill Corps, Pawtucket, Capt. Henry F. Smith ; Cranston National Guard, Capt. Albert C. Howard.
Fourth Regiment, Col. Nicholas Van Slyck ; Kentish Artillery, Apponaug National Guards, Capt. Caleb Westcott ; Kentish Guards, Capt. E. H. Gardiner; Pettaquamscot Infantry, Capt. Jervis Per- kins; Narragansett Guards, Capt. L. H. Arnold; East Greenwich National Guards, Capt. George W. S. Allen ; Old Warwick Na- tional Guards, Capt. Christopher Wilcox.
The line was reviewed by the governor between twelve and one P. M., after which the division moved down Broadway, through the principal streets, to Exchange place, arriving about four P. M. The parade was then dismissed, and a collation was served in Howard and Phoenix Halls.
The exhibition was so satisfactory that His Excellency the governor issued an order returning his thanks to the Rhode Island National Guard for their patriotism and determination to uphold the rights of the people and the honor of the government. The document is as follows :
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
HEADQUARTERS COMDR .- IN-CHIEF OF MILITIA, 1 . STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &C., PROVIDENCE, Dec. 2, 1861. )
TO THE NATIONAL GUARD :
The commander-in-chief congratulates the National Guard of Rhode Island on their successful review of Saturday, the 30th ult. He thanks the Military Committee and the officers and men comprising this organization for exhibit- ing to the State and to the country that Rhode Island has far more defenders of our sacred cause at home than she has yet sent into the field. This display of patriotism and zeal is encouraging and cheering to her brave sons now in the service, and a warning to foreign foes who would trifle with a people now mak- ing superhuman efforts to preserve the rights and sustain the honor of a free government. It also signifies to those who are entrusted with the direction of our national affairs that no cause will be permitted to intervene to prevent an energetic and determined prosecution of the contest to which the whole heart of this great people is devoted. Rhode Island was the first to offer the services of her citizens in defence of the government and the Union. She was first to organize her National Guard. She will be the last to lay down her arms, nor will she do so till secession and rebellion shall have been subdued; till foreign powers shall have learned to respect our rights; till those have been taught to become good and loyal citizens, who, for party purposes or personal gain, would stay the progress of the great work; till rebels and traitors shall flee the wrath of an outraged and indignant people.
WM. SPRAGUE.
December 23d. An adjourned meeting of the line officers was held at Governor Dyer's office on Saturday evening, 21st instant, for the purpose of forming a city regiment. The Burnside Zouaves desired to be attached to the regiment as skirmishers, and their request was granted. The regiment is to be called The First Regiment National Guard of Rhode Island.
The officers were elected as follows : Colonel, James Shaw, Jr. ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Charles H. Merriman ; Major, Charles H.
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
Dunham; Adjutant, George Frank Low ; Quartermaster, Amos D. Smith ; Assistant Quartermaster, William E. Hamlin ; Commis- sary, William W. Hoppin ; Assistant Commissary, Joseph P. Man- ton ; Paymaster, William Viall; Assistant Paymaster, Thomas A. Doyle ; Surgeon, A. H. Okie ; Assistant Surgeon, William C. Beckwith ; Chaplain, Thomas M. Clark ; Sergeant-Major, Charles J. Sweet.
The companies then drew for positions, which resulted as fol- lows: Company A, Fifth Ward ; Company B, Fourth Ward ; Company C, Seventh Ward ; Company D, Second Ward ; Com- pany E, Sixth Ward; Washington Continentals ; Companies F and G, First Ward ; Company H, Burnside Zouaves.
. Feb. 22, 1862. The birthday of Washington was celebrated in Providence in a manner and spirit befitting the day. The Infantry paraded with full ranks at ten o'clock A. M. At twelve, M., the bells were rung for an hour, and a salute was fired. A special service was also held at noon, in the First Baptist Church, His Excellency Governor Sprague and staff being present. Washington's farewell address was read by Lieut .- Gov. Samuel G. Arnold. Dr. Francis Wayland pronounced the benediction. At two o'clock P. M., the First Regiment Rhode Island National Guard assembled on Exchange place and were formed in regular line, as follows : Company H, Burnside Zouaves, Col. William IV. Paine. During the formation of the line they deployed as skirmishers. Company A, Fifth Ward, Capt. Stephen H. Hall ; Washington Continentals, Capt. C. Henry Alexander ; Company F, First Ward Drill Corps, Capt. Henry A. Webb ; Company C, Seventh Ward, Capt. H. W. Gardner ; Company D, Second Ward,
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
William S. Smith, lieutenant commanding ; Company G, First Ward Light Guard, Capt. A. Crawford Greene ; Company E, Sixth Ward, Capt. Hopkins B. Cady ; Company B, Fourth Ward, Capt. Elisha Dyer. The regiment was formed by Adjt. G. Frank Low, when Brig .- Gen. Charles T. Robbins assumed the command.
The officers of the regiment were as follows : Colonel, James Shaw, Jr. ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Charles H. Merriman ; Major, Charles H. Dunham ; Adjutant, J. Frank Low ; Sergeant-Major, Charles J. Sweet.
At 2.30 o'clock the line was reviewed by His Excellency Gov- ernor Sprague, who was accompanied by his aids, Colonels Sprague, Gardner, and Harris, Adjt .- Gen. Mauran, with Captain Hoppin, of his staff ; Paymaster-General Knight, Captain Cran- dall, of the staff of the commanding general ; Quartermaster Smith, of the Marine Artillery, and Lieutenant Buckley, of Battery C.
After the review, the line was thrown into column, and marched as per the programme laid down. The troops made an inspiring display. As the column passed the arsenal, the battery now re- cruiting was formed into line, and paid the honors of a salute, as did the Third Ward National Guard, drawn up on the sidewalk a short distance above. The regiment returned to Exchange place between five and six, and went through the formalities of dress parade, when the line was dismissed.
The Third Ward National Guard, Capt. William M. Hale, pa- raded at two o'clock. They wore a uniform, regulation cap, a dark blue tunic and dark pants. They were very spirited after deciding to parade. The uniform was voted on Tuesday evening, and the cloth was bought on Wednesday morning.
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
OBSEQUIES OF RHODE ISLAND OFFICERS.
" Can storied urn or animated bust Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath ? Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust, Or flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death?" - Gray's Elegy.
March 31, 1862. The obsequies of Col. John S. Slocum, Maj. Sullivan Ballou, and Capt. Levi Tower, who fell at the Battle of Bull Run July 21, 1861, were publicly observed in Providence to- day. The line was formed under the command of Brigadier- General Robbins and staff in the following order: His Excel- lency the Governor, William Sprague; His Honor the Lieu- tenant-Governor, Samuel G. Arnold; aids and high military officers of the State and of United States Volunteers ; Providence Horse Guards ; American Brass Band; First Regiment Rhode Island National Guard ; Col. James Shaw, Jr .; Lieut .- Col. Charles H. Merriman ; Maj. Charles H. Dunham ; Adjt. G. Frank Low ; Company A, Fifth Ward, Capt. S. H. Hall; Company B, Fourth Ward, Captain Elisha Dyer ; Company C, Seventh Ward, Capt. Henry W. Gardner ; Company D, Second Ward, Lieut .- Commanding William S. Smith ; Company E, Sixth Ward, Capt. H. B. Cady ; Company F, First Ward, Capt. H. Webb ; Company G, First Ward Light Guard, Capt. A. C. Greene; Company H, Burnside Zouaves, Capt. W. WV. Paine; Battalion of Infantry, Col. Josiah Whitaker ; Old Guard Providence Artillery, Capt. William Jackson ; Sarsfield Guards, Captain Corcoran ; Sowamsett Guards, Warren, Capt. Frank S. Brown ; Barrington National
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
Guards, Capt. Henry Staples ; Portsmouth National Guards, Capt. Alonzo B. Tallman; Pettaquamscot Light Infantry, Kingston, Capt. Elisha C. Clark; Regiment of Infantry, the funeral escort of Col. John S. Slocum, under the command of Colonel Brown ; hearse and pall bearers ; caparisoned horse led by groom ; detail of officers from the Second Regiment, R. I. V .; First Light In- fantry, Company A, Capt. L. C. Warner ; First Light Infantry, Company B, Capt. C. R. Dennis ; University Cadets, Capt. G. T. Woodward ; Providence Artillery, Capt. J. R. Holman ; Ellsworth Phalanx (High School), Capt. D. W. Lyman; National Cadets and Mechanics Rifles; Third Ward National Guard, Capt. William M. Hale; Pawtucket Home Guards, Lieut .- Commanding Albert Bliss ; Battalion of Infantry, the funeral escort of Maj. Sullivan Ballou, under command of Maj. Henry T. Sisson; hearse and pall-bearers; Maj. Albert S. Gallup and others ; Woonsocket Guards, Capt. Charles H. Watson ; Slatersville Drill Corps, Capt. Isaac Place ; Pawtucket Light Guard, Company B, Captain Cud- worth ; Pawtucket Light Guard, Company C, Captain Smith ; one company of Infantry, the funeral escort of Capt. Levi Tower; Pawtucket Light Guard, Company A, Capt. Robert McCloy ; hearse and pall-bearers.
Arriving at the cemetery at Swan Point, the funeral service was conducted by Bishop Clark, and, at its conclusion, three volleys were fired. The column was then reformed and pro- ceeded to Dexter Training Ground, and passed in review before His Excellency the Governor, after which it marched down High and Westminster streets to Exchange place, where it was dis- missed.
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
MEMORIAL TO LIEUT. H. A. PRESCOTT, KILLED AT BULL RUN, JULY 21, 1861. -
In March, 1862, when Governor Sprague went to Manassas, a special commission of three was sent by the Providence Light Infantry to look for the remains of Lieut. Henry A. Prescott, killed July 21, 1861, but their search for his grave was unsuccess- ful. A beautiful mural tablet has been erected to his memory in the chapel of Grace Church, with the following inscription :
In Memoriam.
LIEUTENANT HENRY A. PRESCOTT. Born November 10th, 1823. KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS PLAIN, VIRGINIA, July 21, 1861. The Christian, the Patriot, the Good Soldier of Jesus Christ. In all his relations, by inflexible devotion to Truth, and Duty, he illustrated his Faith. AT HIS COUNTRY'S CALL, IN. DEFENCE OF HER CONSTITUTION AND NATIONALITY, HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE. - -
, This Tablet is erected by the Teachers and Scholars of Grace Church Sunday School, as an expression of esteem for the worth and gratitude for the example of their associate and Constant Friend.
Mr. Prescott left a wife and five children, a mother and one- sister to mourn their irreparable loss.
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
On the 12th day of April, 1867, the first Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in the State was organized under the name of Prescott Post No. I, of the District of Providence, Depart- ment of Rhode Island. Lieutenant Prescott's army cap, with the bullet holes plainly visible, is sacredly preserved at the Post Head- quarters. Four of the commanders of Prescott Post belonged to the Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers, viz. : James Shaw, Jr., com- mander, 1867; William Stone, 1871-72 ; William E. Taber, 1874; William A. Spicer, 1890.
THANKS TO THE RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, PROVIDENCE, April 7, 1862.
General Orders No. 23.
The Commander-in-Chief presents his thanks to Brig. Gen. Charles T. Rob- bins and staff for their signal efficiency in conducting the funeral ceremonies in honor of the martyred heroes of Rhode Island, the lamented Colonel Slo- cum, Major Ballou and Capt. Tower, who were killed in the battle of " Bull Run," July 21, 1861.
To the several military organizations composing the Second Brigade, for their full ranks and promptness.
To the First Regiment " National Guard," Colonel Shaw ; Providence Light Battery, Old Guard Providence Artillery, Ellsworth Phalanx (Providence High School), University Cadets, Sarsfield Guards, Pettaquamscot Light Infantry, Barrington National Guards, Sowamsett Guards, Portsmouth Guards, Third Ward National Guard, and Slatersville Drill Corps for their voluntary attend- ance, with large numbers, adding so much to the efficiency and appearance of the column.
الكيروسين
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
To the Providence Horse Guards, Colonel Hallett, for their escort.
The Burnside Zouaves added much to the impressiveness of the solemn oc- casion, guarding the remains while lying in state. It will ever be to them a proud satisfaction that in the early days of their history this sacred duty fell to their lot.
Thus Rhode Island honored those dead heroes as the sainted representatives of her living soldiers. While Rhode Island wept for the fatal past, her heart also beat proudly for the future. Her prayer is that a crushing retribution will speedily overwhelm the perpetrators of the gross indignities to her favorite sons, and that her own brave soldiers, and the soldiers of her sister States, will, with strong will and ready steel, quickly cancel the brutal outrages inflicted upon the lifeless bodies of these children of our common country.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief. EDWARD C. MAURAN, Adjutant-General.
April 18, 1862. The First Regiment Rhode Island National Guard, Colonel James Shaw, Jr., paraded this evening with full ranks. Everything passed off most satisfactorily.
April 19th. The Third Ward National Guards are now desig- nated as the What Cheer Guards. They have been presented with an elegant silk standard by the ladies of the ward.
May 8th. Annual election of officers Company E, Sixth Ward, First Regiment Rhode Island National Guard : Captain, Hopkins B. Cady ; Lieutenants, Ezra P. Bullock, C. F. Phillips, Stephen Thurber ; Clerk, F. N. Seabury ; Treasurer, C. F. Phillips ; Cor- porals, Orsmus A. Taft, Frank Holden, C. Stone, Alfred Cady, and others ; Drummer, Henry H. James ; Armorers, Ira R. Wil- bur, W. A. Greene.
May 17th. Annual election Company A, Fifth Ward, First Regiment Rhode Island National Guard : Captain, Wm. E. Ta-
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ber, Jr., vice S. H. Hall, resigned; Lieutenants, Joseph L. Ben- nett, Jr., Leander C. Belcher; Sergeants, William A. James, A. R. Peck, John W. Briggs, W. C. Barker, Albert C. Winsor.
May 25th, Sunday. At midnight the urgent summons came for volunteers for the defence of the Capital, and from the First Regiment Rhode Island National Guard, bound together by no legal ties, subject to no military orders, simply banded together to learn the duties of the soldier, sprang to arms the Tenth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. Called together at 9 o'clock A. M. on the 26th, by 7 P. M. of the same day 613 men had placed their names upon the roll of service to their country.
The response of the town companies of the Rhode Island National Guard was equally prompt, and from them was organ- ized the Ninth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, which left for Washington with the Tenth the day after the call. The com- panies were : The Lonsdale National Guard, Capt. John Mc- Kinley ; Natick National Guard, Capt. John A. Bowen ; the Paw- tucket Battalion and Westerly National Guards.
The Tenth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, included the following city companies : First Ward Light Guards, Capt. A. Crawford Greene ; First Ward Drill Corps, Capt. Benjamin W. Harris ; Second Ward National Guard, Capt. Charles H. Dunham ; What Cheer Guards, Third Ward, Capt. William M. Hale ; Fourth Ward National Guard, Capt. Elisha Dyer; Fifth Ward National Guard, Capt. William E. Taber, Jr. ; Sixth Ward National Guard, Capt. Hopkins B. Cady; Seventh Ward National Guard, Capt. Theodore Winn ; Burnside Zouaves, Capt. Christopher Duck- worth.
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RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.
The first detachment of the Ninth and Tenth Regiments, Rhode Island Volunteers, left for Washington Tuesday afternoon, May 27th, and numbered upwards of one thousand men. It was quickly followed by the Tenth Light Battery, in three detach- ments. More volunteers for the Ninth and Tenth regiments from the National Guard were soon in the city awaiting marching or- ders, and the second detachment for those regiments started for Washington May 29th.
The history of the War for the Union presents no prouder ex- ample than we have recited, of prompt and patriotic response to the call of duty. Within thirty hours after the call, two regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery were organized, armed, and equipped. The novelty and excitement attending the first call for troops had largely subsided, and the days of liberal bounties had not yet come.
But men were needed at once. The order of the governor showed how pressing he deemed the emergency, and, as the news flashed along the wires, men leaped from their beds and hastened to the places of rendezvous. It was no night for sleep. Messen- gers on horses transmitted the alarm from hand to hand. City repeated it to town, and town to village, till the entire country was aroused. Well may the Rhode Island National Guard be proud of its record, for the emergency found it " ready and willing." Well was it for Rhode Island that she had in reserve such a noble organization to come forward when needed to the help of our armies in the field.
Let no one who saw it ever despair of the Republic.
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