Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery

A soldier’s notebook brings the early days of the Civil War to vivid life, tracing the hurried enlistment of eager Rhode Island men who transformed from civilians into artillerymen in a matter of weeks. The diary opens with the bustling scene at Providence’s armory, where volunteers line up from dawn to dusk, learning drill, gun‑handling, and the camaraderie that will define their service. Readers feel the mix of excitement and dread as the battery is mustered, equipped with new brass rifle guns, and sent off from Dexter Training Ground amid cheers, farewells, and the looming uncertainty of a three‑year commitment.

The entries capture the raw emotions of departure—sunrise over the camp, the clatter of limber chests being loaded, and the poignant goodbye to friends and family. Through candid observations and occasional humor, the writer conveys the daily grind of camp life, the pride in their Rhode Island identity, and the solemn awareness that some comrades may never return. This intimate record offers a window into the personal side of a war often told only in grand strategies.