The Rhode Island Artillery at the First Battle of Bull Run

When President Lincoln called for three‑month volunteers in 1861, the men of Providence answered with a blend of civic pride and youthful vigor. Gathered in the Marine Armory on Benefit Street, they quickly organized a new artillery company, signing up hundreds of citizens eager to defend the Union. Under the guidance of local leaders, drills began day and night, turning a loose collection of townsfolk into a disciplined battery. By early June the unit had secured a full complement of twelve‑pounder James guns, thanks to the support of Governor Sprague.

The newly commissioned officers, though still learning the ropes of command, led their men through rigorous marching and gun‑handling exercises on the streets and vacant lots of the city. Their training culminated in a swift departure from the Fox Point wharf, a cramped steamer ride to New Jersey, and a long rail journey that finally deposited them in Washington’s bustling camps. As the capital braced for conflict, the Rhode Island artillery found itself poised on the brink of its first real test.

Written from the perspective of a former lieutenant, the account offers vivid personal reflections on the camaraderie, challenges, and resolve that defined these volunteers before they crossed into battle.