USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island's early defenders and their successors > Part 5
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office. He accordingly assigned the company to the 3rd Bat- talion as Company C and appointed an officer to take command. The officer in command under the charter refused to turn over the records or property of the organization and the officer ap- pointed by the Adjutant General was unable to take over the command. Although the Adjutant General recommended dis- bandment the Assembly refused to act in the matter and the Guards continued to function as an independent organization.
As a matter of fact the records show that the Guards were not inactive during the years stated, having performed duty dur- ing the Dorr War and having filed each year the election re- turn of its officers in the Secretary of State's office, as required by its charter, and being carried on the register of companies on file in the Adjutant General's office during the period in question. Strange as it may seem, it would appear that the Ad- jutant General confused the Kentish Guards with the Kentish Artillery which ceased to exist in 1833 and was revived about 1853.
The Newport Artillery, Bristol Artillery, Marine Corps of Artillery, United Train of Artillery and the First Light Infan- try were held to be, by reason of their charters, independent of the brigades and subject to the orders of the Governor.
In 1876 the entire Division was assembled for muster in Providence. The troops paraded to the Dexter Training Grounds under the command of General Walker. As all of the companies provided their own uniforms, free from restrictions of any sort as to style or color, the review which followed the parade was a gorgeous spectacle. No two organ- izations were uniformed alike, each endeavored to surpass the other in brilliancy. There were coats of red, of gray, of white and of blue; epaulets of varied colors, gilt shoulder scales and white cross belts bearing elaborate crests and monograms; head- gear of all descriptions, helmets of metal and fur, shakos, high caps, huge bearskins, all uncomfortable and unserviceable. The arm carried was the 50 calibre Springfield musket of Civil War days.
On June 28, 1877 President Rutherford B. Hayes visited Providence. The entire uniformed militia was mobilized and a
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review tendered the President on the Training Ground. The Newport Artillery and the First Battalion of Infantry served as personal escort to the President and later on the Artillery oc- companied him to Newport.
During this year the 3rd Battalion, reduced to two com- panies, was consolidated with the 2nd.
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VI
THE BRIGADE, RHODE ISLAND MILITIA, 1878-1898
Interest in rifle shooting was aroused in the various com- panies in 1877 although no provision existed in the law for rifle practice. A small group of enthusiastic marksmen organized a rifle team and accepted an invitation to participate in the In- terstate Military Rifle Match held at Creedmore, New York. All expenses of the team were borne by the members, assisted by contributions from interested citizens. New .45 Calibre breech-loading Springfield rifles, model 1873, were furnished the team by the State.
The match was shot at 200 and 500 yards. The Rhode Island team made a splendid showing considering their lack of practice, being beaten only by New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Capt Bartholomew McSoley of the Rhode Island team won the "Judd Match" over a field of two hundred competitors.
The names of the members of the team and their com- panies are as follows:
Capt. Bartholomew, Lieut Joseph Stringer, Lieut. George A. Forsyth, Sergt. G. W. Barry, Sergt. J. T. Williams, Private Charles C. Gray, Private E. E. Roffes, Private (formerly Cap- tain) W. B. W. Hallett, all of Company E, 2nd Battalion; Lieut. B. L. Hall and Sergt. Joseph Baker of Company A, 1st Battal- ion; Sergt. A. P. Johonnot and Private G. R. Taylor of Com- pany B, 1st Battalion, and Bugler A. L. Sweet of Battery A. Private Gray served as team captain.
In 1878 C. Henry Barney of Providence was elected Ad- jutant General.
1879 may be regarded as another very important year in
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the history of the State's forces. A new militia law was enacted under which the two brigades were consolidated into one composed of five battalions of Infantry, a Cavalry battalion of two troops A-Pawtucket and B-Providence, and one Battery of Light Artillery, A of Prov- idence. The Fourth Battalion consisted of two colored companies commanded by Major Albert Smith.
Brig. Gen. Elisha H. Rhodes was in com- mand of the brigade while Major George N. Bliss and Capt. Horace G. Peck commanded the Cavalry and Artillery respectively. D. W. Reeves was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and Band Master.
In forming the new brigade the Tower Light Battery was changed to the Tower Light Infantry; Companies B (Pawtucket) and E (Woonsocket) of the 5th Battalion, Company D (Newport) of the 6th Battalion and Company A, Cavalry (Providence) were disbanded while other companies were consolidated.
The State issued new blue uniforms with distinctive trimmings for the various arms of the service to all of the companies and the old showy independent uniforms were abandoned. Tents, rubber and woolen blankets, knapsacks and camp equipage were provided and the brig- ade began to take on the appearance of a mod- ern military organization.
On September 2, 3 and 4th for the first time in its history Rhode Island's militia was un- der canvas in a training camp. Camp Van Zandt was established at Oakland Beach, where for three days regimental and battalion drills and reviews were held.
In 1880 more progress towards efficiency was made. The brigade encampment was ex-
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tended to five days and the Cavalry was supplied with new Springfield carbines Calibre .45.
The following year, 1881, the 3rd Battalion was dissolved. Two of its companies, located at Apponaug and East Green- wich, were disbanded and the two located at Westerly were transferred to the 1st Battalion.
A Signal Corps of five men was organized and attached to the brigade. William B. Mason was commissioned Captain and Signal Officer.
It may be said that 1881 marks the beginning of field training in the brigade. At the end of the encampment the troops were marched back over the road from Oakland Beach to Providence, engaging in what was called a "Sham Battle" en- route.
Gen. Barney resigned as Adjutant General on December 31, 1881 and the Governor appointed W. W. Douglass to fill the vacancy. In February 1882 Elisha Dyer, Jr. was elected Adjutant General, serving until 1895.
In 1883 Maj. Alexander Strauss succeeded Major Bliss in command of the Cavalry.
In 1884 new .45 Calibre Springfield rifles were issued to the entire brigade and training in marksmanship was beginning to be regarded as of considerable importance.
A 200 yard range was established on the farm of J. C. Dexter in Cumberland, near Valley Falls. A mess hall and kitcher were erected and two targets installed. Capt. John Howe, Brigade Engineer, was appointed Rifle Instructor and a season of twenty firing days was ordered.
Eighteen companies of Infantry and two companies of Cavalry reported for practice. A total of 511 officers and men shot, a record that exceeds that of some recent years.
During the following year (1885) the number of Infantry battalions in the brigade was reduced to four, and a machine gun platoon, under Lieut. William Ely, was organized.
Complaint having been made of possible danger in the use
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of the rifle range as laid out, shooting was suspended until such time as the Assembly saw fit to appropriate funds for the work required to make the range more safe.
In 1887 the separate battalion formation of the Infantry was abolished and two eight company regiments and two separ- ate companies were formed.
The First and Second Battalions were consolidated and or- ganized as the 1st Regiment of Infantry, Brigade Rhode Island Militia (B.R.I.M.) under Col. William Thornton.
The Fifth Battalion, the old Rhode Island Guards, was re- organized as the 2nd Regiment, the companies being shifted about and re-lettered. Company A. (Meagher Guards) was changed to Company E; the Warren Infantry became Com- pany A; Company B became Company F (Wolf Tone Guards) ; the Newport Infantry became Company B; Company C (Kear- ney Light Infantry) was changed to Company G; Company D (Emmett Guards) became Company H; the Woonsocket Rif- les became Company D and the Bristol Infantry became Com- pany C. Col. James Moran was in command of the regiment.
The Fourth Battalion (colored) was disbanded and its two surviving companies were carried on the roll as the First and Second Separate Companies. Capt. William H. Beckett commanded the First and Capt. Stephen J. West commanded the Second.
Field Maneuvers were established as part of the regular training of the brigade in 1889, and for many years thereafter problems in attack and defense were included in the work of the annual encampment.
The entire militia paraded in Pawtucket during the cotton centenary celebration in September 1890 as two brigades, one under Gen. Rhodes and the other composed of the chartered commands under Col. C. M. Van Slyck of the United Train of Artillery.
In 1891 the first Naval Reserve Company in the State was organized in Bristol under Lieut. William Hodgkinson, and the Machine Gun Platoon was expanded into a four gun battery.
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Gen. Rhodes retired as Brigade Commander in 1892 and Hiram Kendall was elected to succeed him.
This year (1892) the camp ground heretofore used having been platted into houselots was not available for military use. In consequence the brigade was obliged to pitch its camp in the potato and corn fields of the Wilcox farm, northwest of Oakland Beach.
In place of the Brigade Band each regiment was allowed one band of twenty musicians.
Through the courtesy of the Officers Rifle Association, this year the militia was enabled to resume rifle practice. The private range of the Association at Sassafras Point was opened to the State's soldiery. Capt. George A. Forsyth was appointed Instructor of Rifle Practice with Frank Harcourt as assistant. One hundred and two hundred yards were shot over and a total of but seventy-three officers and men made the required qualification. This range was used for five years.
The second Naval Reserve Company was organized in Newport in 1892. Lieut. H. L. Willoughby was the command- ing officer.
In 1893 the State purchased, as a permanent camp ground, the Reynolds Farm, a tract of 225 acres, located at Quonset Point in the Town of North Kingstown.
In 1894 Company A, 2nd Regiment, of Warren, was dis- banded. A new Company A was organized in Olneyville under Capt. John Kelly.
In 1895 the efficiency and morale of the Second Separate Company (colored) having reached a very low state, the Com- pany was disbanded. Companies E and F, 1st Regiment, lo- cated in Westerly, were consolidated as Company E.
This year the State manifested its appreciation of long and faithful service in the militia by the inauguration of a long ser- vice medal issued to all who had served seven years continuously.
Upon the resignation of Adjutant General Dyer in Oct- ober, Hunter C. White was appointed to fill the office until the
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election of Frederic M. Sackett on November 4th.
The Hospital Corps, heretofore composed of the Hos- pital Stewards of the brigade, with a detail of privates from the different organizations, was made a permanent company in 1896 with N. Darrell Harvey as Captain.
The third Naval Reserve Company was organized in Prov- idence this year (1896). Lieut. George N. Eiswald was the first commanding officer.
In 1897 the land used as a rifle range at Sassafras Point, being no longer available, a tract was leased at Rumford, where ranges up to 1000 yards were laid out. This was subsequently purchased and became the State's permanent rifle range.
Major George S. Tingley succeeded Major Strauss as Com- mander of the Cavalry Battalion.
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VII THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR AND PAWTUCKET STRIKE - 1898 - 1907
Early in 1898 the fourth Naval Reserve Company was organized in East Providence. Lieut. Samuel Brigham was the commanding officer. Lieut. W. McCarthy Little commanded the Battalion formed from the four existing Naval Reserve companies.
In 1898, in anticipation of war with Spain, plans for the protection of our coast by the militia of the State were perfect- ed. Arrangements were made for quartering the Second Reg- iment of Infantry, Battery A, and the Machine Gun Battery on the lower end of Conanicut Island with State and Brigade Headquarters at the Gardner House. Headquarters and one battalion of the First Regiment, together with one troop of Cav- alry were assigned to Newport, while the other battalion of the regiment and the other troop of Cavalry were to be stationed at Narragansett Pier.
When the call for troops finally came it was deemed nec- essary that the militia organizations be preserved in order that the State's defense plan be not interfered with. Accordingly members of the militia as individuals were invited to enlist in a twelve company regiment which was to be formed at Camp Dyer, Quonset Point. Enlistments from all organizations fol- lowed. Thirty-six officers and three hundred ninety men of the militia enrolled in the regiment.
Company A, First Regiment, Capt. Charles F. Tillinghast, enlisted in a body. The major part of Companies B and E, 1st Regiment, with their officers, were soon in camp as part of the new regiment.
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Company B, 2nd Regiment from Newport, reported with full ranks for muster into the regiment but owing to the failure of certain officers to be accepted, returned home. In conse- quence the company was disbanded for unmilitary conduct shortly afterwards. Its place in the brigade was filled by the organization of a new Company B recruited mainly from the South Providence Cadets under Capt. Malachi Kelly.
Due largely to the great interest and untiring efforts of the Governor of the State, Elisha Dyer, and its commander, Col. Charles W. Abbott, this regiment in a very short time was completely armed and equipped, and became recognized as one of the best regiments in the service.
When the second call for troops was received a detachment of three hundred infantrymen was enlisted and sent to the reg- iment. Battery A, Capt. Edgar R. Barker, and the Machine Gun Battery, Capt. Henry Walcott were ordered to Quonset Point and mustered into the Federal service, the latter as Bat- tery B, Light Artillery.
Volunteer military companies were organized in various parts of the State and tendered their services for the emergency -among them were The Island Artillery of Middletown; The Seaconnet Point Home Guards, and The Tiverton and Little Compton Volunteers. The Grand Army Posts, many frater- nal societies, the Hibernian Rifles and The Irish Forester Guards placed their organizations at the disposal of the Gover- nor.
A provisional company, under Lieut. Theodore F. Green, was formed to take the place of Company A in the First Reg- iment and a new Battery A, under Lieut. George Peck was re- cruited.
The Newport Artillery Company was ordered to Fort Ad- ams where it encamped for seven days receiving instruction in the use of heavy artillery.
The Naval Reserve Battalion commanded by Commander William McCarthy Little, consisting of an Artillery Company in Providence, a Torpedo Company in Newport, a Torpedo Company in Bristol and a newly organized Artillery Company
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in East Providence was mustered into the naval service and assigned to various vessels along the coast. A detail from the Battalion was stationed on Block Island where it maintained during the summer a Coast Signal Station.
Details from the Hospital Corps were on duty constantly while a Cavalry detail from Troop B served during the summer at Camp Dyer.
Company C, 2nd Regiment, Capt. Luke H. Callen; 1st Separate Company (colored), Capt. Robert W. Blunt; Troop B., Cavalry, Capt. William A. Maynard, and Troop A Cavalry, Capt. Edward T. Jones, performed guard duty at the camp for different periods "with faithfulness and judgment under many trying conditions".
No encampment of the brigade was held but the militia was mobilized for three days during May.
Col. Moran of the Second Regiment resigned in Novem- ber and was succeeded by Col. James H. McGann.
Towards the end of the year the Navy Department loaned to the State, for the drill and instruction of the Naval Battalion the converted yacht "Kanawha".
Lieut. Eiswald of the Providence Division was appointed Commanding officer and Lieut Lippitt Paymaster of the Bat- talion, was made Navigator. The "Kanawha" failed to pro- duce the results that were expected and after a year's use the Ship was returned to the Navy.
The First Rhode Island U. S. Volunteer Infantry Reg- iment was mustered out at Camp Fornace, S. C. on March 30th, 1899 and arrived in Providence on April 1st. A parade through the streets of that city followed by a review on Dexter Training Ground, attracted an immense crowd.
While the militia was more or less demoralized at the be- ginning of the year owing to the absence from the State of officers and men in the Federal Service, as a result of energetic work, by Camp time the brigade found itself in fairly good condition.
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Company E, 2nd Regiment, disbanded a few years pre- vious, was reorganized under its former captain, Bernard Hack- ett.
During the late summer the Government was organizing a Volunteer Philippine Army and Rhode Island was largely represented in one of the new regiments, the 26th Volunteer Infantry. This was a New England regiment in which many former members of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and the militia had enlisted.
On September 8th this regiment on its way to the West Coast paraded in Providence under its commander Col. Ed- mund Rice. It was escorted by a provisional regiment made up of the Providence Militia Companies under the command of Col. F. W. Matteson.
In 1899 the Navy Department established yearly cruises for the Naval Militia on regular battleships and the R. I. Bat- talion profited largely by a week's trip on the U. S. S. "Prairie". This cruise was repeated in 1900 and with more or less regular- ity since. Company F, 1st Regiment, Wakefield having fallen below the required standing was disbanded and its place in the regiment taken by a Company organized in Woonsocket under Capt. Henry C. Card, Jr.
Gen. Kendall retired in 1901 and was succeeded by Gen. Herbert S. Tanner. For a few days following the resignation of Gen. Kendall and immediately preceeding the election of Gen. Tanner, Col. Arthur V. Warfield served as Brigade Com- mander. Gen. Tanner at once interested himself in the pro- motion of rifle practice and as a result of his endeavors the State for the first time sent a team to compete in the interstate matches held at Seagirt, N. J. Capt. Charles C. Gray acted as team Captain and a very creditable showing was made.
In acknowledgement of the superior work done during the year at the inspection, camp and on the rifle range, Troop B, Cavalry, was selected to accompany Governor Gregory as his personal escort to the Pan American Exhibition at Buffalo.
Capt. William A. Maynard was commissioned Major com-
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manding the Cavalry Squadron towards the end of the year.
The battalion formation of the Naval Reserves was re- stored in 1902 and Gardiner C. Sims was elected Commander, serving until 1909.
In 1902 the value of the militia as a force for the preser- vation of peace and the maintenance of the laws of the State was demonstrated beyond question. In June a strike among the employes of the street railway resulted in considerable tur- moil and disturbance in the City of Pawtucket. Cars were stoned and prevented from operating, tracks obstructed, car crews assaulted and the police and civil authorities were openly defied.
On June 11th at 11:30 P. M. orders were issued from the Adjutant General's office directing a force of five hundred (500) men to assemble at Pawtucket, under the command of Gen. Tanner and at 8:20 A. M. on June 12th Companies A, B, C, D and G of the 1st Regiment and Companies B and F, 2nd Regiment, together with a detachment of seventeen (17) members of the Hospital Corps reported at the Pawtucket Ar- mory. Lieut. Col. Forsyth commanding the 1st Regiment and Col. James H. McGann commanding the 2nd, together with their respective staffs, accompanied the troops.
Company H of the 1st Regiment, Company G of the 2nd Regiment and Troop A, Cavalry, all located in Pawtucket, were already assembled at the armory. Later on Major Maynard commanding the Cavalry and Troop B of Providence reported for duty.
Large crowds had assembled at the junction of East Ave- nue and Pawtucket Avenue where considerable rioting occurred and where street cars had been stoned. The Cavalry was or- dered to this point where the rioters were dispersed.
During the afternoon strong detachments of troops were posted at the various centers of disturbance, and Companies E and H, 2nd Regiment, and two Divisions of the Naval Battal- lion (3rd and 4th) were ordered out. Rioting occurred that night at the car barn on Pawtucket Avenue and Company E,
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2nd Regiment, was directed to proceed to the barn and occupy it. The Company arrived at the barn about 10 o'clock. About 9:55 P. M. the First Machine Gun Battery, in response to or- ders, reported at the armory.
All of the officers and enlisted men with the exception of Troop B were quartered in the armory. Troop B went into camp along side its picket line in a vacant lot across the street from the armory. The horses of Troop A and the guns of the machine gun battery were located in the rear of the armory.
On the following day the troops operated in three divi- sions, clearing the streets of all obstruction and opening them to travel, dispersing gatherings and endeavoring to preserve order in various sections of the City. The Cavalry, proceeding in advance of the dismounted troops, with firmness and deter- mination dispersed the mobs and without doubt prevented con- siderable bloodshed. Many arrests were made and the prison- ers were marched to the armory under strong guard. Pickets were established at short intervals and machine guns with in- fantry supports planted at advantageous points. A line of troops was extended along Pawtucket Avenue, keeping the road open to the Providence line.
Gradually the military control was extended to various sec- tions of the city and on Wednesday, June 18th the situation was so well under control that the cars were running on all of the local lines during the day. The guard around the armory was reduced to one company and the forces occupying outlying districts were withdrawn.
Company C, 1st Regiment; Company B, 2nd Regiment and one-half of the Hospital Corps force on duty were relieved and returned home.
It was decided to start night service on the cars that even- ing. This was done without any disorder. The Cavalry details patrolled Pawtucket Avenue, East Avenue and Main Street until late at night. Vigorous attacks were made upon the street cars attempting to run on the Central Falls lines rendering the operation of these cars extremely dangerous and they were stop- ped at 9 P. M.
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On June 19th Companies B and D, 1st Regiment, and Companies E, F and G, 2nd Regiment, were returned to their home stations. The cavalry continued its patrol in the terri- tory adjacent to Pawtucket and East Avenues and Main Street.
Another attempt was made to run night cars within the limits of the City of Pawtucket. A few cases of stone throwing resulted but in general the attempt was unsuccessful.
Some trouble resulted in Central Falls on the 20th. Ob- structions were placed upon the tracks and switches torn up and carried off. Following this the cars were withdrawn.
On June 21st the Machine Gun Battery and Troop A were relieved of duty. In view of the continued feeling of fear and distrust among a large portion of the people, it was deemed inadvisable to withdraw all the troops at this time. Companies E and F, 1st Regiment, and the 1st and 2nd Divisions of the Naval Battalion were ordered to report to take the place of organizations relieved. These troops arrived on the 22nd. Major Charles H. Ledward, 1st Regiment of Infantry, relieved Gen. Tanner of active command.
It was decided to retain Troop B, Cavalry, and Company A, 1st Regiment of Infantry. "The Cavalry having proved in- dispensable in the previous operations." Companies G and H, 1st Regiment and Company H, 2nd Regiment, together with the 3rd and 4th Divisions of the Naval Battalion were re- lieved from duty.
During the following three days the troops were kept in the armory in readiness to proceed to any point where their services might be required. Details from the Cavalry troop pa- trolled the principal streets during the evening but reported no disturbances.
In the late afternoon of June 25th all troops, with the exception of a small guard left at the armory were returned to their homes, having performed a duty that was most fatiguing and disagreeable with an enthusiasm and vigor that was praise- worthy and reflected great credit upon the militia as a whole. The Cavalry in particular was highly commended for its work.
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