USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island's early defenders and their successors > Part 2
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The United Train of Artillery was maintained as an or-
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ganization in the militia, Lieut. Col. Levi Hall taking the place of Lieut. Col. Hitchcock and Major Elisha Robinson taking the place of Major Crane.
A regiment of twelve companies and an artillery train was organized under Commander Esek Hopkins to supply a call for Continental troops. Subsequently this regiment became merged with the Rhode Island Brigade. Col. William Rich- mond was assigned as commander of this force.
Col. Babcock, commanding the 2nd Regiment for De- fense, being dismissed from the service upon the grounds of insanity, Lieut. Col. Christopher Lippitt was made Colonel of the regiment. Lippitt afterwards was made Colonel of the 3rd Providence Regiment and later on was placed in command of the 2nd Rhode Island Continental Regiment.
At Newtown, now Wickford, the Updike's Newtown Rang- ers were organized under Capt. George Babcock and served dur- ing the year. The Smithfield and Cumberland Rangers were chartered with Capt. George Peck as first commanding officer.
Col. West's regiment was dispatched to Newport and all of the artillery companies were ordered on duty along the shore.
Upon Gen. Lee's arrival at Providence to assume military command, the Cadets and one of the rifle companies were as- signed as his special guard.
During this time Rhode Island troops were enduring great hardships under Arnold at Quebec and our militia was called frequently to the colors to repel landings from the British ships which were cruising about the lower bay. Military activity pre- vailed throughout the entire colony.
Major General Joseph Nightingale followed Gen. Babcock as commanding officer of the Militia, serving until 1779.
In 1776 an additional militia regiment was organized in Newport, Col. George Irish being the commanding officer. Our militia now consisted of ten regiments of infantry and twelve chartered companies. During the year The Providence Troop of Horse, The Smithfield and Cumberland Rangers, The Kentish Guards, The Newtown Rangers, the Pawtuxet Rangers
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and detachments from the Militia Regiments are recorded as performing war service. In addition there was enlisted an eight company regiment, under the command of Col. John Sayles, to serve for three months.
Although it is not the intention to attempt to review the services of our Continental Regiments, it may be said that when, after the abandonment of New York, Gen. Washington made his stand at Murray Hill, along the line of the present 42nd Street, near Grand Central Station, the Rhode Island regiments took a prominent part in the fighting, Colonels Hitchcock and Varnum receiving the commendation of the Commander-in- Chief.
On December 2nd the British occupied Newport. About six hundred militia men stationed on the island retired to the northern end and crossed to the mainland without loss. Intense excitement prevailed, emergency calls were sent throughout New England and to Gen. Washington. The entire state force was mobilized. All of the artillery companies were ordered to the fortifications assigned them along the shore from Point Jud- ith to Providence. Entrenchments were thrown up on Bonnet Point which were constantly occupied by a strong militia force during the period the British remained in Newport.
Part of the 1st Kent County Regiment, Col. Waterman, went into camp at Warwick Neck and also occupied Pawtuxet Neck. The 1st Kings County Regiment, Col. Noyes, entrench- ed itself on Tower Hill. The 2nd Newport Regiment under Col. John Cook occupied Tiverton, while General West, with a strong force, was at Bristol.
Providence was a great military camp; everyone expected the British to come up the river. The forts guarding the city were strengthened; a heavy chain was stretched across from Fields Point to Kettle Point to prevent the passage of ships; women and children, together with livestock, were removed to the northern villages; educational activities at the college ceased and the college building became a barracks, later on a hospital.
Col. Varnum had been relieved of his command in the Continental Army and had returned to Rhode Island to take command of a brigade of two regiments of infantry and one of
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artillery organized "for the defense of the United States and this state in particular" and enlisted for a period of fifteen months. Colonels Benjamin Tallman and Joseph Stanton com- manded the infantry regiments, while Col. Robert Elliott commanded the artillery.
The militia regiments and the chartered commands were constantly on duty along the shores of Narragansett Bay.
Major General Lincoln arrived and took command of the army in Rhode Island, with headquarters at Providence. Col. Malmedy, a French officer, was detailed to direct the construc- tion of fortifications about Providence, in order that the pos- sible advance of the British over land to Boston be prevented.
Gen. Lincoln was superseded by Gen. Arnold and plans were made for the organization of an army to attack the British at Newport. The entire militia was called to the colors and awaited the arrival of troops expected from the other colonies. These troops not arriving, the expedition was postponed.
Brigadier General Varnum was recalled by General Wash- ington from state service and was given command of a brigade in the Continental Army. The regiments of his militia brigade remained on duty along the Seaconnet River, Col. Stanton's regiments being at Tiverton. It was from here that the Lieuten- ant Colonel of that regiment, William Barton, led his famous raid which resulted in the capture of the British commander, Gen. Prescott, on July 9, 1777.
During the year (1777) the South Kingstown Artillery Company was organized and ordered into service. Capt. Wil- liam Pollock was commissioned as commanding officer, but for some reason was relieved of his command. The organization served under its 1st Lieutenant and its service was short.
The Providence Troop of Horse, The United Train of Artillery, The Cumberland Alarm Company and various mil- itia companies performed meritorious service during the year.
The militia stationed at Narragansett attacked and drove off, with considerable loss, a British landing party in August, while Capt. Dyre's company of Stanton's Regiment crossed from Tiverton and defeated a superior force at Portsmouth.
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Brigadier General Ezekiel Cornell was appointed to com- mand the Varnum brigade, his regimental commanders being Colonel Archibald Crary, Colonel William Barton and Colonel Robert Elliott.
In September plans were again made for an attack on Newport, General Spencer being detailed as commanding officer. Massachusetts and Connecticut furnished a large num- ber of soldiers. One-half of the militia of Rhode Island not on duty was ordered out. The combined forces numbered about nine thousand men. From the beginning many delays resulted -preparations were not perfected-boats not supplied in suf- ficient numbers-lack of confidence in the commanding officer -all combined to cause an abandonment of the attack and the return of the troops to Providence.
In 1778 Gen. Sullivan arrived in Providence, succeeding Gen. Spencer in command of the Rhode Island forces. The British became active along the bay, attacked Warren and Bris- tol, burning houses and boats. The plan for an attack on New- port was revived. Gen. Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette joined Gen. Sullivan in Providence.
The troops of Glover and Varnum arrived from the Con- tinental Army. The militia and chartered companies were or- dered out. Militia from other states assembled at Providence and on August 9, 1778, Sullivan made the crossing from Tiver- ton. The British retreated down the Island, abandoning their forts at Portsmouth which were soon occupied by the Amer- icans.
Then followed the battle of Rhode Island. Without going into the details of this battle, we can say that the Rhode Island brigade acquitted itself with credit, as did the chartered com- panies. It is worth while remembering that this battle has been described as the best fought battle of the war.
In this battle two organizations served with exceptional distinction: a small regiment of slaves recruited in Kings and Kent Counties, serving under Varnum, being the first negro organization to perform military service in this country; and the company known as General Sullivan's Life Guards made up mostly of Rhode Islanders, the officers of which were: Capt.
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Aaron Mann, 1st Lieut. Levi Hoppen, 2nd Lieut. George Pot- ter and Ensign John Westcott.
After the departure of Gen. Sullivan, Brig. Gen. John Stark took over the command of the army in Rhode Island and directed the movements of the troops on duty.
During 1779 the county regiments were organized into four brigades with Major Gen. Varnum in command. Brig. Gen. William West commanded the Providence County Brig- ade, Brig. Gen. Joseph Stanton the Kings County Brigade, Brig. Gen. Thomas Holden the Kent County Brigade and Brig. Gen. Nathan Miller the Newport and Bristol County Brigade.
Three militia regiments commanded by Colonels John Topham, Archibald Crary and Robert Elliott were on duty dur- ing the Summer and Fall watching the British at Newport.
A corps of Light Infantry was raised for special service along the southern shore under Col. Barton.
Col. Archibald Crary was selected as the first Adjutant General of the State, serving until 1788.
On October 25th the British evacuated Newport and on the following day Gen. Stark crossed from Tiverton and occu- pied the town. The militia on duty along the coast was dis- missed after three years of arduous service and a militia regi- ment of 630 men was ordered out for a period of three months.
About this time the French Army arrived and went into camp at Providence, where it remained until 1780. With the departure of the French a force of twelve hundred militia men was ordered out to serve one month. General Miller was in command.
When, in September 1781, Arnold attacked New London, the entire militia was called into service. The United Company of the Train of Artillery turned out with four brass field pieces that accompanied the organization to Boston. Two of these guns were afterwards returned to the government and the other two were retained by the company until 1856 when they were loaned to the Warren Artillery Company.
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In 1781 The Providence Troop of Horse was again called upon to perform war duty and appears on the rolls as The Captain General's Cavaliers, under Capt. Daniel Manton. As the Cavaliers this organization served as part of the organized militia of the state down to 1836,-a continuous service of over 117 years.
The story of the part played by Rhode Island soldiers in the Revolution is too long to be included in this review, but in passing let us give thought to Capt. Stephen Olney and his men who led the storming party over the works at Yorktown and made the capture of Cornwallis possible. Also, to that body of 250 Rhode Island militia men that formed part of the force selected to garrison the frontier posts, which held in check the dangerous Indian hordes that menaced our northwestern terri- tory and whose services in the wilderness covered a period of three years.
It may be said that every year during the struggle for in- dependence the militia and chartered commands saw service for greater or less periods under the flag of the State. In many instances this service resulted in the merging of the organiza- tion into the mass of the army with resulting loss of identity as a distinctive command.
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III DEVELOPMENT OF MILITIA-1782-1840
After the war Gen. Varnum continued in command of the militia, resigning in 1788 when he was succeeded by Major Gen. Joseph Stanton, Jr.
William Barton in 1788 was elected Adjutant General and was followed by George Waterman in 1789.
In 1788 The Washington Independent Company of Ex- eter was chartered, Capt. Joseph Hammond being the first commanding officer. The company continued in the service of the State until 1829.
The Kingstown Rangers also received a charter this year, Beriah Waite being the first captain. The company disappears from the military rolls in 1812.
During the following year (1789) charters were issued to the Charlestown Independents, Capt. Jonathan Hazard, an organization whose service covered but one year, and to the Coventry Rangers whose first captain was John McGregor, and whose service covered the period from 1789 to 1822.
In 1790 The Cranston Blues were incorporated, Joseph Potter was the first captain of the organization, which existed until 1831. By act of the Legislature the charter of this organ- ization was revived during the World War and the command served as one of the companies in the State Guard.
In 1791 Major Gen. Thomas Holden assumed command of the Militia, succeeding Gen. Stanton. Simeon Martin was elected Adjutant General.
In 1791 charters were issued to:
The Smithfield Grenadiers, Capt. Samuel Mcclellan, on
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the rolls until 1829;
The Governor's Independent Company of Light Infantry in the Town of Providence, Capt. Benjamin Hoppin, on rolls until 1799, and to
The Smithfield Federal Protectors, Capt. Zenas Winsor, on rolls until 1793.
The next year (1792) the following were granted charters:
Glocester Grenadiers, Capt. Joktan Putnam, on rolls until 1795;
Johnston Rangers, Capt. Nehemiah Hawkins, on rolls until 1810;
The Providence Independent Light Dragoons of County of Providence, Col. Ephraim Bowen, continuing in service of State until 1842, a period of fifty years;
The Kentish Troop of Horse, Capt. John Randall, on rolls until 1835, and to
The Washington Cavalry, Capt John Gardner, on rolls until 1841.
The Washington Light Infantry was also organized during the year. After a brief and indefinite career it ceased to exist.
In 1793 we find but one organization receiving a charter, -The Newport Guards, Capt. Wing Spooner. This organiza- tion served during the War of 1812 under Capt. James Perry in the fortifications at the entrance to Newport Harbor and dis- appears from the rolls in 1813.
Major Gen. Simeon Martin, former Adjutant General, succeeded Gen. Holden as Commander of the Militia, and re- mained in office until 1802.
Robert Rogers served as Adjutant General from 1793 to 1797.
The following year (1794) charters were issued to The Bris- tol Train of Artillery, Capt. Samuel Wardwell. This organiza- tion is still active among the Chartered Commands of the State;
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The Cumberland Light Infantry, Capt. Whipple Lovett, on the rolls only three years;
The Tiverton and Little Compton Light Dragoons, Capt. William Humphry, on the rolls until 1824;
The Light Infantry Company of the First Regiment, Capt. Jeremiah Jenks, on the rolls until 1800, and to
The Governor's Independent Company of Volunteers, an off-shoot of the Governor's Independent Light Infantry, Capt. Robert Taylor, Jr., being the first Commanding Officer.
In 1795 but one organization received a charter,-The Ready Volunteers of Bristol, Capt. William Coggeshall. This organization served the State but four years.
In 1796 a charter was issued to The West Greenwich and Coventry Light Infantry, Capt. Thomas Phillips, on the rolls until 1812.
The Kentish Light Infantry, Capt. Job Greene, was char- tered in 1797 and continued as such until 1805 when it became the Kentish Artillery, Capt. Benjamin Greene. It remained actively on the rolls until 1833 when it ceased to be part of the militia. In 1853 it was revived under Col. Peleg W. Westcott but at the present time exists in name only.
In 1798 the following organizations came into existence:
The Independent Company of Cadets in the Town of Providence, Capt. George Burrill, on rolls until 1841.
United Artillery Company of Kent County, Capt Jeremiah Fenner. In 1799 the Company's name was changed to "The United Artillery of Warwick" and as such the Company was borne on the rolls until 1803, and
The Federal Blues of Bristol, Capt. John Stockford, on rolls until 1815.
Daniel Sheldon served during 1798 as Adjutant General.
In 1799 The Governor's Independent Company of Light Infantry and The Governor's Independent Company of Volun- teers consolidated under the name of The United Independent
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Volunteers, Capt. Jeremiah B. Howell being the commanding officer of the new organization. The charter of the Volunteers was revoked in 1842.
During the year charters were issued to the following:
The Portsmouth Light Infantry, Capt. Peleg Almy, on rolls until 1809;
The Foster Safe Guards, Capt. Francis Fuller, on rolls un- til 1829, and
The Bristol Grenadiers, Capt. John M. Bourn, on rolls until 1813.
Ebenezer Burrill was elected Adjutant General in 1799 and served until 1803.
The Little Compton Artillery Company received its char- ter in 1800, Walter Wilbur being its first Captain. The organ- ization existed but two years.
A charter was also granted this year to the Hopkinton Rangers which served the State until 1822, Benjamin Long- worthy being the Company's first and only Captain during its twenty-one years' service.
In 1801 the Marine Society of Providence, an association of ship owners, organized The Providence Marine Artillery for the purpose of training young men to handle the guns on the ships of its members. Lieut. Col. Seth Wheaton served as in- structor and commanding officer. The charter exempted the members from service in the militia. In due time the organ- ization's original purposes were lost sight of and it took its place among the militia companies of the State.
When organized, the Company was equipped with two 32-pound iron cannon and the men carried short heavy swords. During the Dorr period it was used as infantry and about 1848 became a battery of light artillery, perhaps the first militia bat- tery to be organized in the United States. It is interesting to know that when the first militia battery was formed in Massa- chusetts in 1850 the officers were sent to Providence to be in- structed by the officers of the Marine Corps of Artillery.
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In the reorganization of the Militia in 1875 the battery appeared on the rolls as Battery A, Light Artillery, and contin- ued as such until 1917 when it was expanded into a Field Ar- tillery Battalion. In 1929 by the absorbtion of the Cavalry Squadron it became the 103rd Field Artillery Regiment.
A charter was granted to the Smithfield Grenadiers, Capt. Christopher Dexter, in 1801. The Company was on the rolls until 1830.
From 1802 to 1806 the Militia was commanded by Maj. Gen. William Barton.
Samuel W. Brigham became Adjutant General in 1803 and remained in office for seven years.
During the year 1805 a charter was issued to The Newport Independent Volunteers, Capt. Thomas D. Stall, an organiza- tion which remained on the rolls until 1832.
In 1806 John Whipple, Quartermaster General, was commissioned Major General. He served but one year, Gen. William Barton being re-elected in 1807 and serving until 1809.
In 1808 the following organizations received charters:
The Cumberland and Smithfield Light Dragoons, Capt. John F. Walcott, serving until 1830; The Johnston Riflemen, Capt. Emor Winsor, serving but one year; The Portsmouth Light Infantry, Capt. Samuel Cooke, also serving but one year, and The Warwick and Coventry Guards, Capt. James E. Rem- ington, which remained on the rolls until 1816.
The Bristol Light Dragoons were organized in 1808 and disbanded in 1809.
In 1809 Daniel Sheldon, Brigadier General 1st Brigade, was placed in command of the Militia and served until 1815 as Major General.
Nathaniel Searl, Jr. served as Adjutant General from 1810 to 1816.
In 1811 a charter was granted The Warren Light Infantry, Capt. Oliver Johonnot. This organization continued on the rolls until 1833.
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During the period covered by the second war with Great Britain, there was great activity among the State's military or- ganizations; volunteer corps were organized and the militia regiments ordered into service to protect our coast from expect- ed attacks by the enemy.
Hazard's Artillery, one of these volunteer companies, was on duty at Westerly and Watch Hill on different occasions during 1812 to 1815. Capt. Joshua Hazard was the command- ing officer.
In 1812 The Washington Guards were incorporated under Capt. William B. Maxon. This organization lost its identity after a year's service.
The Union Guards of Providence was organized for the express purpose of manning the fortifications around that city.
Charters were issued to the following in 1813:
The Independent Rifle Company of Cumberland, Capt. Levi Cook, on the State rolls until 1836; The Pawtuxet Ar- tillery, Capt. Philip Bump, which continued in the State's ser- vice until 1847; The Civil Guards of Providence, Capt. John Carlile, and The North Kingstown Guards, Capt. Stephen Tefft. These two latter organizations remaining on the rolls during the year only.
In 1814 the following organizations were chartered:
The Sea Fencibles, Capt. Benjamin Pearce, serving until 1815;
The Independent Smithfield Rifle Company, Capt. Thom- as Wright, serving until 1815;
The Smithfield Light Infantry, Capt. Jedebiah Carpenter, on the rolls until 1821;
And The Morgan Riflemen, a Glocester Organization under Capt. Anan Evans, which served the State until 1823.
The State's force at this time consisted of a Division made up of the Newport and Bristol County Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Andrew McCorrie; The Providence County Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. James B. Mason; the Washington
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County Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Joseph Stanton, Jr .; The Kent County Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Christopher Rhodes and about thirty independent chartered commands. Major General Daniel Sheldon commanded the Division.
The following commands were ordered out for war ser- vice during the year:
The Portsmouth Company, Capt. John Burrington;
The Middletown Company, Capt. George B. Sweet;
Two Tiverton Companies commanded by Captains Perry Cooke and Samuel Warren;
Three Westerly Companies, commanded by Captains George Sheffield, Joseph Gavitt and Joseph Potter;
Two Charlestown Companies commanded by Captains Jos- eph Wilcox and Simeon P. Lewis;
The Hopkinton Rangers, Capt. Benjamin Longworthy;
The Sea Fencibles, Capt. Benjamin Pearse;
The Light Infantry Company of Scituate, Capt. Welcome Cole;
And a detachment of the Newport Artillery Company under Harrison Pendleton.
The Special State Corps of four companies was organized and was commanded by Capt. John Wood.
During 1815 and 1816 Maj. Gen. James B. Mason was in command of the Militia. Maj Gen. William C. Gibbs suc- ceeded Gen. Mason, serving until 1821.
Louis Rousmaniere of Newport was elected Adjutant Gen- eral in 1816.
In 1816 The Scituate and Foster Independent Company of Riflemen was incorporated. Peter B. Remington was its first Captain and the Company appears on the rolls until 1835.
The Independent Company, Sons of Liberty, was granted a charter in 1817, and served the State for one year under Capt. James Brown.
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The Cumberland Artillery was organized this year but its record of service is vague and uncertain.
Our present First Light Infantry came into existence in 1818, being chartered as a Company attached to the Second Regiment, its first Captain being Job Angell. In 1844 its or- ganization was changed to that of a regiment, Capt. William Brown, commanding the Company at that time, becoming its first Colonel. It is now in its 112th year of service.
During the same year (1818) The Washington Light In- fantry of the Eleventh Regiment was incorporated, Elijah Ken- yon being the first Captain. This organization remained on the rolls as such until 1820 when it severed its connection with the regiment and continued as The Washington Light Infantry until 1827.
In 1819 The Burrillville and Glocester Washington Unit- ed Cavalry, Capt. Eleazer Harris, received its charter and served the State until 1824.
The Greene Artillery Company of the 6th Regiment was also incorporated this year and was on the rolls until 1839. Stephen Tucker was its first Captain. It was attached to the 12th Regiment in 1823.
Bernard Helme of Providence was Adjutant General from 1819 to 1821.
In 1820 the following organizations were chartered:
The First Cadet Company in the 6th Regiment, Capt. Harris J. Mowry, in the State's service five years;
The Washington Guards of the 8th Regiment, Capt. Na- than B. Lewis, carried on the State's roll until 1841, and
The Washington Artillery in 3rd Brigade, Capt. Joseph T. Segar, which went out of existence in 1825.
In 1821 charters were issued to The North Kingstown Volunteers, Capt. Gideon Freeborn, serving until 1828;
To The Scituate Guards, Capt. Robert Bowen, which re- mained on the military roll of the State for seven years;
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To The United Company of Volunteers in the Town of Cumberland, Capt. Ezra Hunt, active until 1830; and
To The Washington Grenadiers, Capt. Joseph Babcock, whose service continued until 1844 when the name of the Company was changed to the Washington Rifle Rangers. In 1846 the command ceased to exist.
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