USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 1 > Part 55
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Colonel Jackson's regiment remained at Providence until the 10th of July, 1779, when it marched to form a part of the Penobscot expedi- tion. During its stay at Providence, Dr. James Thatcher, the author of the Military Journal of the American Revolution, joined the regi-
Marshall, in his Life of Washington, vol. iii, p. 509, says: "According to the return made by General Sullivan, his loss in killed, wounded and missing was two hundred and eleven". The return of losses by General Pigot was two hundred and sixty. Arnold's oration on anniversary of the battle, Aug. 29, 1878, in R. I. Hist. Tracts No. 6, page 29, gives American loss 211, British 1,023.
1The following muster and pay rolls for the period covered during the operations on Rhode Island will give the names of Rhode Island officers and men who participated in the battle. That this list is complete is of course doubtful, owing to the imperfect condition of the military records of this period. These rolls are in the office of the Secretary of State.
A pay abstract for the Company of the Captain General's Cavaliers for services in the late expedition to Rhode Island from July 26 to August 31, 1778, vol. iv, p. 42.
A pay roll or abstract of Captain William Whipple's Company in Col. Topham's Regiment from the 16th of August to the 16th of September, 1778, vol. iv, p. 63.
The following Muster and Pay rolls of Companies in Colonel Israel Angell's Second Rhode Island Regiment in the Continental Service of General James M. Varnum's Brigade. Captain Stephen Olney's Company for August and September, 1778, vol, iii, p. 87.
Captain William Humphrey's Company for August and September, 1778, vol. iii, p. 122.
Captain William Hughes's Company for August and September, 1778, vol.
iii, p. 109.
Captain William Tew's Company for August and September, 1778, vol. iii, p. 106.
Captain David Dexter's Company for August, 1778, vol. iv, p. 36.
Captain William Potter's Company for August, 1778, vol. iii, p. 110.
A pay roll of Captain Andrew Harris's Company in Col. John Mathewson's Regiment in the service of the United States, Second Division. The time covered is from August 21 to 31, 1778, vol. iii, p. 59.
A pay abstract to the United States of America of Captain James Snow's
506
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
ment as surgcon, having been invited by Dr. Townsend, then the surgcon in the military hospital of Providence. In his journal he makes frequent reference to his visits in the adjoining country. After the return of the troops from this expedition, Jackson's regiment was ordered again to Providence, where it arrived on the 28th of Septem- ber and encamped at Fox Point. The Sunday following its arrival Thatcher writes in his journal: "I rode with several officers to Paw- tuxet, to attend the religious services of the celebrated Mr. Murray,1 whose professed doctrine is the universal salvation of mankind. Mr. Murray is not admitted into the pulpit of the orthodox clergy; his peculiar sentiments are revolting to the consciences, and repugnant to
Company in Col. John Mathewson's Regiment that served in the late Expedi- tion to Rhode Island in August, 1778. The time covered is from August 21 to 31, 1778, vol. iii, p. 60.
A pay abstract of Captain Fred Williams's Company in Col. John Math- ewson's Regiment in the second division on an Expedition against Newport. The time covered is from August 21 to 31, 1778, vol. iii, p. 60.
Pay abstract of Captain Keene's Company in Col. John Mathewson's Regi- ment from August 21 to September 1, 1778 on duty in the expedition against Rhode Island, vol. iii, p. 77.
Pay roll of Field and Staff officers of a Rhode Island Battalion of Foot in Service of the United States of America commanded by Col. Israel Angell, for the month of August and September, 1778, vol. iii, p. 77.
General abstract of a Rhode Island Battalion commanded by Col. Israel Angell from August 1 to September 30, both days inclusive, 1778, vol. iii, p. 84. Among the Military Papers in the possession of the Rhode Island Histori- cal Society is the
Abstract of pay of Captain Joseph Sprague's Company of militia in Colonel Chad Brown's Regiment in the second division against Rhode Island. The time of service was from August 21 to 31, 1779. No. 330.
Among the manuscripts in the private collection belonging to Fred W. Arnold, Esq., of Providence, is
A pay abstract of Captain Amos Whipple's Company in Col. John Mathew- son's Regiment, 2d division. The time of service was from August 21 to September 1, 1778.
.
In Volume iii, p. 550, of the Rhode Island Colonial Records, the following reference is found to Colonel Archibald Kasson's Battalion.
Colonel Archibald Kasson's battalion in the second division in the expedi- tion upon Rhode Island consisted of the following companies from the 21st of August, 1778, to the 31st of August, 1778, both days included: Captain Rhodes's Company; Captain Hopkins's Company; Captain Randall's Com- pany; Captain Willard's Company; Captain Johnson's Company; Captain Draper's Company; Captain Ray's Company; Captain Weaver's Company; Colonel Chad Brown's Regiment was included in the second division in this expedition, as was also Colonel John Mathewson's regiment. Mathewson's was the first regiment of the County of Providence and Brown's was the second regiment of the County of Providence.
There are many company lists in the State Archives and among the Rhode Island Historical Society's manuscripts referring to the Expedition against Rhode Island, but they cover a time previous to the day of the battle.
1Mr. Murray sometimes preached in the Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence, and also at the Old Town House. See Staples's Annals of Providence, p. 451 and 475.
.
FLAG CARRIED BY ANGELL'S SECOND RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT
DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. IT IS PRESERVED WITH THAT OF THE FIRST RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT IN THE STATE HOUSE AT PROVIDENCE. WHEN THESE TWO REGIMENTS WERE CONSOLIDATED-JANUARY 1, 1781-BOTH BECAME THE COLORS OF THE RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT. PRESENTED TO THE STATE BY JERE- MIAH OLNEY, THE LAST COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT, IN BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS OF THE REGIMENT.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
the belief of a large proportion of the people of New England. In this village the people are destitute of an ordained minister. The audienee was numerous and the preacher peculiarly eloquent; freely and sol- emnly dcelaring the sentiments which he has adopted and quoting various portions of Scripture to enforce a belief in the opinions which his own eonseienee and judgment approve."
The regiment left Providenee early in November and took up its march to the westward.
On the 11th of October, 1779, a large flect of transports arrived in Newport harbor, for the purpose of transporting the British army, which had been in possession of the town and a portion of the State for nearly three years.
Col. Israel Angell, of the Second Rhode Island Regiment, whose headquarters was at Barber's Heights, a commanding eminenee on the west shore of the bay in North Kingstown, notes his observations of the movements of the enemy during the days following the arrival of the transports. ' On the 20th of October he says: "This day I sent a boat to reeonnoiter Conanicut, to see what discoveries was to be made. Ensign Wheaton went in the boat and brought off one Jonathan Greene, a very sensible young man, who lived within the lines, who informed us that the enemy was going to evacuate the island, had got all their heavy baggage and cannon on board, had burnt their plat- form in the North Battery". On the 22d he notes : "There was some hundreds of people out of the country on the hill looking out to see the fleet go off, but the wind not being fair prevented their sail- ing". It was not until the 25th that the enemy sailed, and the de- parture of the troops, which had menaced the people of Rhode Island so long, is thus quaintly expressed by Angell in his diary: "October 25, 1779. A fine pleasant morning and the fleet remains the same as yesterday, about the middle of the day the enemy begun to burn their barracks and great movement was seen among them, there was a great number of people in camp to see the fleet sail, among the crowd was Governor Green's lady and daughter, the Britains was busy in Im- barking all the afternoon, by sunset was all on board and the fleet set sail just after sunset before eleven o'clock in the morning was all without the light house and we making preparations to take possession of the town".
The French army, destined to play an important part in the struggle for American independenee, arrived in America in July, 1780. The foree sailed from Franee in twelve ships of war and thirty-two trans- ports. Six thousand troops, eommanded by Lieutenant-General le Comte de Rochambeau. The regiments were the Bombonnois, Royal Deux Ponts, Soissonnois Saintonge and Louzon's Legion, with a bat- talion of artillery, a corps of sappers and miners, and of the Royal
THE VERNON HOUSE, NEWPORT, R. I. HEADQUARTERS OF ROCHAMBEAU AND HIS STAFF DURING THE FRENCH OCCUPANCY OF NEWPORT IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
Guides. On the 11th of July the army landed in Newport and at once oeeupied the works which had been in the possession of the English army. These works were repaired and strengthened. The arrival of the French allies was hailed with joy throughout the country. During the French oeeupaney of Newport, Rochambeau had his headquarters at the Vernon house, a house still standing, situated on the corner of Clarke and Mary streets.
During the years immediately following the Revolution great in- terest was manifested in the militia by the people of Rhode Island. The heroes of the war which had just elosed entered with all the en- thusiasm that had characterized their connection with active service, and many of them held commissions in the various commands.
Besides the regular militia regiments provided by the State laws for the different counties, innumerable independent commands were or- ganized, each of which seems to have tried to seeure a name that would give it prominenee and inspire a martial spirit. Before the beginning of the nineteenth century there had been chartered by the General Assembly the following independent military organizations : Captain- General Cavaliers, United Company of the Train of Artillery, Paw- tuxet Rangers, Gloeester Light Infantry, Washington Independent Company of Exeter, North Kingstown Rangers, Charlestown Inde- pendent Company, Coventry Rangers, Cranston Blues, Smithfield Grenadiers, The Governor's Independent Company of Light Infantry, Seituate Hunters, Kingstown Reds, Washington Cavalry, Johnston Rangers, Newport Guards, Governor's Independent Company of Volunteers, Bristol Train of Artillery, Cumberland Light Infantry, Ready Volunteers, West Greenwich and Coventry Light Infantry, Kentish Guards, Kentish Light Infantry, Federal Blues, Portsmouth Light Infantry, Foster Safe Guards, Tiverton and Little Compton Dragoons, Bristol Grenadiers, Gloeester Grenadiers, Kentish Troop of Horse, Newport Artillery Company, and Providenee Independent Dragoons. In later years other independent companies sprang into being, the most prominent of which were The First Light Infantry Regiment, the Providenee Marine Corps of Artillery, and the Warren Artillery.
On the 18th of June, 1812, war was deelared by the Congress of the United States against Great Britain.
Almost with the declaration of hostilities the principal part of the United States troops which were stationed at Fort Adams and in Newport harbor, and which were thought necessary for the proper protection of the State even in time of peace, were withdrawn from its borders. At the same time the State was ealled upon to furnish 500 men, ineluding offieers, its quota of the 100,000 men ordered to be raised for the war. The defenseless condition of the State, with ugly
511
THE WARS AND THE MILITIA.
rumors of British war vessels hovering on the coast, produced a feeling of great uneasiness among the people. The State was placed in a perilous situation. Governor Jones had promptly called upon the president for arms, ordnance and ammunition to equip the State's militia, but his requisitions were for a long time disregarded, and it was late in October before he received an order for 1,000 stand of arms, only half the number necessary for the equipment of the State's force. The forts and batteries along the bayside and seacoast had re- mained idle and deserted for many years, the embankments were washed away in many cases, and their equipment of ordnance, insuffi- cient at its best, was scattered. "Under the circumstance", says Governor Jones, in his message to the General Assembly at its October session, "should the President of the United States refuse to supply this State with the Ordnance and ammunition, for which I was re- quested to apply, and the protection the general government were in duly bound to afford, and for which this State has contributed so largely, and leave us to the mercy of an invading army, it will not only be the duty of every citizen to be prepared for that event, but of the General Assembly to make an appropriation in aid thereof, to which I request your attention."
On the 21st of July General Dearborn sent a request to Governor Jones for two companies of artillery and two of infantry, with a major for immediate service, to man the forts and batteries at Newport. Authority was given the independent companies in the State to in- crease their ranks, and the acts and orders of the General Assembly, providing ways and means for prosecuting the war, which had been introduced and passed closely upon the declaration of hostilities for more than a hundred years, were again in different form submitted for the consideration of the legislators. In February, 1813, Governor Jones reported that 1,000 stand of arms had been received from the general government, and that 500 of them had been assigned to the town of Newport and 500 to the town of Providence. An account of the ordnance in the custody of the State showed that there was one pair of brass field pieces in the care of the Newport Artillery, com- manded by Col. Benjamin Fry. One pair in the care of the Artillery Company in the town of Warwick, commanded by Col. Charles Bray- ton, and one pair in the care of the Artillery Company of Bristol, commanded by Col. William Throop. Requisition was made upon the president for a pair of brass field pieces lying at Fort Wolcott and not then in use, but the requisition was not honored. During the war alarms were frequent, caused by reports of British ships being seen off the coast, and the militia of the State was distributed along the seaboard to oppose the landing of any force of the enemy. The records of the time give little information relative to the details of
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
service performed by the militia.1 From such as are to be found, however, it appears that in August, 1814, the companies of Capt. John Burrington, Capt. Samuel Warren and Capt. George Sweet were sta- tioned at Brenton's Neck in Newport. Artillery companies were sta- tioned at Little Compton, Tiverton near Stone Bridge, Warren, East Greenwich and at Barber's Heights, North Kingstown. In September six field earriages for heavy cannon were received from the general government and were at once put in service. At this time the fortifi- cations, which had been in process of construction sinee the beginning of hostilities, were completed, armed and equipped, and General Swift, of the United States army, was ordered to Rhode Island to ascertain their condition and utility. In company with Governor Jones he made a tour of the seaboard and they personally inspected all the works.
The old forts and earthworks which had been thrown up during the Revolutionary struggle were again the scenes of warlike move- ments.
Newport harbor was at the beginning of the war protected by Fort Adams, which had only been built a few years and was fully equipped with heavy guns and ordnanee stores. Other smaller works were located within the harbor. At Providenee, however, no substantial works were located, and should the enemy's ships succeed in passing the forts at Newport and the batteries along the shore, the town was liable to destruetion.
Spooner Ruggles, William Farrier, John Brown, James M. Sabin, Joshua A. Sabin and Samuel Y. Seamans were appointed river guard and assigned to duty on board the guard brig Mary, a vessel hired for the purpose and belonging to Young Seamans of Providence. This guard ship was stationed in the river between Field's Point and Kettle Point. The rules for the conduet of the "river watch" required that the watchmen spend the night in a small boat, cruising between the guard ship and Sabin's Point and aeross the river, direeting their courses in such manner as to examine each shore. "Three men were to go in a boat", and three remain on board the brig, beginning at or before nine o'clock caeh night. In the event the guard should diseover any hostile. foree or suspicious movements, they were to immediately repair on board the guard ship, and if in the opinion of the commander the oeeasion warranted it, to fire the carriage gun and as soon as possible light the bcaeon.2 The guard, however, were impressed with the importance of observing great eaution in spreading an alarm.
"A volume is now in preparation, to be issued under the patronage of the State, containing the list of all officers from Rhode Island who served during the war, the title of which will be "Military and Civil Lists of Rhode Island, 1800-1850."
2 No record has been found of the location of the beacon; it may have been on the hill where the beacon was erected during the war of the Revolution.
513
THE WARS AND THE MILITIA.
Between July 28, 1813, and July 24, 1814, five cartel ships arrived in the harbor of Providence, bringing to the town 1,066 prisoners, mostly Americans, and many of them sick and wounded. Thomas Cole, collector of the port, under the direction of the commissary- general of prisoners, made provision for their support until they were in condition to again enter the service, as many of them did, or until they could engage in other occupations. Such English prisoners as were brought in, however, were sent on board a prison ship anchored between Fox Point and Field's Point. As many of these prisoners were brought from the West Indies, Barbadoes and Jamaica, the rules for quarantine were rigorously enforced and precaution taken against the introduction of an infectious disease.
In July, 1814, a committee, consisting of James B. Mason, John Carlisle and William Blodgett, was appointed to fortify Field's Point. At this locality were two forts, built during the Revolutionary struggle, one on the high hill at the point, another on Robin Hill nearer the shore; these were repaired and guns mounted therein. In addition to these works, this committee laid out and built on the end of the point, just above tide water, a substantial work, which they designated Fort William Henry.' It is well preserved at this date. In addition to this work others were thrown up at Kettle Point, directly opposite Fort William Henry, which were built jointly by the people of Seekonk and Providence. On the heights on the Lyon's shore was an old work, thrown up during the Revolution. This was repaired and put in order for use; it is to-day fairly well defined and is located on what is called Fort Hill in East Providence.
A line of breastwork was thrown up near the hospital and another on the Cranston road; besides these, other works were built at Fox Point, one on the Pawtuxet road near what is now Trinity square, and another near what is now the junction of Broadway and Federal streets. All these means of defending the town against the enemy were laid out and constructed under the direction of a "Committee of Defense", composed of citizens of the town. This committee met almost daily from September 19, 1814, to January 16, 1815, in the south chamber of the Washington Insurance Co. building.
The following memorandum will show as clearly as could be ascer- tained at the time the amount of labor expended in constructing fortifications in the vicinity of Providence, in September and October, 1814, as collected by the late Zachariah Allen, who was secretary of this committee :
1For a detailed account of the expense attending the construction of the fort see the "Accounts of the Committee for fortifying Field's Point, 1814", in the custody of the Record Commissioners of Providence.
33-1
.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
Days of labor.
United Train of Artillery performed about
145
Greene Association
55
Marine Artillery
120
Volunteer Company
78
Cadets
140
Students of Brown University
120
Gentlemen of the Bar
28
Frecmasons
200
Free people of color
96
Inhabitants of Seekonk
Glocester
120
Scituate
165
66
" Johnston
190
" Burrillville
60
" Foster & North Providence
100
Cumberland & Mendon
90
.' Cumberland Company of horse
33
" Providence
980
Various other volunteers
160
Total
3,100 days
In order to impede the progress of the enemy's ships, should they attempt to come up the river, a line of hulks was anchored off Paw- tuxet, ready to be sunk at a moment's warning and block the channel A line of communication was established between the South Ferry and Point Judith, to give notice throughout the State if any hostile movements of the enemy should be discovered. Thus was the State protected during those days of darkness and doubt ; happily, however, the enemy did not enter these waters. All danger of such an invasion had ceased some time before the news of peace had been received. This welcome news reached Rhode Island on the 12th of February, 1815. In Providence the bells in the churches were rung and the artillery fired salutes of victory. The weather was fearfully cold, yet the next day, one who remembered the occasion well has said : "The streets of the town were thronged with people, hand shaking and rejoicing, and in the evening the whole town was illuminated to cele- brate the end of war and the return of peace".
For a period of thirty years the militia of the State was not engaged in more hazardous duties than those imposed by the General Muster. This was the great fete day of the year; it brought together a large concourse of people and was an occasion of patriotism, ginger bread, and Medford rum. Preparations for muster began some time before the date fixed for the event. The great field for the muster was selected by the regimental officers with great care; special attention
150
" Smithfield
70
515
THE WARS AND THE MILITIA.
was paid to its size and condition, for it must be smooth, level grass land, and within reasonable distance of a good place for a rendezvous, usually a good tavern. In some of the towns regular training fields were used year after year. The troops were usually required to be in line by seven o'clock in the morning, and the men were warned to appear by five or six o'clock, so that company organizations might be made and breakfast eaten in season for regimental formation. The muster field was lined with little booths and stands where various articles, ginger bread, small beer, and some larger liquids were dis- posed of to the crowd always attending the muster.
These peaceful and spectacular exercises of the militia were some- what interfered with in 1842, when what has generally been called the Dorr War upset the internal affairs of the State. The State's military
TO THE CITIZENS
OF PROVIDENCE !!! You are regested FORTHWITH to repair to the
State Arsenal and TAKE ARMS. SAMUEL W. KING.
Governor of the State of Rhode Island.
Providence, May 17. 1842, 8 o'clock P. M. PROCLAMATION ISSUED DURING THE "DORR WAR."
The Providence Journal on the 18th of May, 1842, says: "Every man should arm him- self and hold himself in readiness to obey the orders of the Governor. Governor King last night issued a proclamation calling upon all his friends to arm themselves at once. They accordingly did so." This was issued the day the attack was made on the Arsenal.
From the original in the possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society.
force played its part in this affair, but in the same way that such a force would act if called upon by the governor to quell a riot. The Dorr War, or by whatever name this episode may be called, belongs to the political history of the State rather than the military, and is therefore not included in this chapter.1
No State responded more promptly to the call to arms in 1861 than did Rhode Island. President Lincoln's proclamation on April 15 for 75,000 volunteers for three months' service was received with demon- strations of the wildest patriotic enthusiasm.
"For a full account of this constitutional struggle and the part taken by the military force of the two parties consult "The Dorr War" by Arthur May Mowry, Providence, 1901.
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