Providence to Washington: 

On April 15, 1861, three days after hostilities began between the northern and southern states, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion.  One day later, on April 16, Rhode Island's Governor, William Sprague, responded to the call by not only filling the state's quota of one infantry regiment, but also adding an additional battery of light artillery.  The infantry

Benefit Street Arsenal, mustering in point of the men of the Rhode Island Light Artillery.

and artillery troops from Rhode Island were enlisted for three months' service.  The Providence Marine Corps of Artillery, which had existed in the state since 1801, was prepared to leave for Washington in three days.  Agreeing with the general feeling that the war may last longer than three months, the President, on May 3, called for an additional 42,000 troops to be enlisted for a period of three years, or until hostilities ended.  Governor Sprague ordered the formation of a second battery of light artillery, designated Battery A, on May 7.  Battery A left for Washington on June 19th, 1861, the same day that the second regiment of infantry left from the state.  

 

Troops prepare for departure from the Providence Train

 station June, 1861, they would transfer to the steamer

 Commomwealth, for the trip to Washington.

The first artillery regiment, being a three month unit, was mustered out of service before seeing any action, but the state's infantry regiments and Battery A fought in the battle of Manassas or First Bull Run at the end of July.  After the defeat of the Union forces, it became clear that a great number of additional troops would be needed to put down the rebellion.  In addition to more infantry regiments, the Secretary of War authorized Governor Sprague to equip a battalion of artillery for three years service.  With Battery A already in the field, Batteries B and C were quickly organized and by the end of August were on their way to the seat of war.  The governor also asked permission to recruit an additional two batteries of light artillery from Rhode Island.  Permission was granted, and by the beginning of October, Batteries D and E had left for the front.  Also in October, the governor was given the honor of increasing to eight the number of Rhode Island artillery batteries, the whole to be designated the First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery.

  In August 1861, knowing they would soon be called up for service, the men who had signed up for Battery B commenced drilling at the Benefit Street Arsenal in Providence.  The men began to become proficient in artillery drill and they soon received their uniforms, which consisted of light blue pantaloons with a reinforced piece on the inside of the leg down to the knee, an outside tunic that came down to the knee, called a blouse, and a high black felt hat with one side turned up and held by a brass eagle.  Brass crossed cannons pinned to the front of the hat completed the outfit.  The uniforms were distributed without regard for size, and the men had to exchange articles of clothing with each other to assemble a uniform that fit properly.

    

On August 10 the battery horses arrived and mounted drill began.  However, two days later it was announced that the expected state bounty of thirty-six dollars had been reduced to fifteen dollars.  Though there was much discussion among the men, patriotism and war fever won out and all but two of the Battery B recruits agreed to resign for the lesser amount.  At 3:30 PM on August 13, after successfully completing a medical examination, four commissioned officers and one hundred and thirty-seven men were mustered into government service for three years as the First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery B, by Colonel Loomis of the United States Army.

  The next day, after signing the muster rolls and receiving their fifteen dollars bounty, the men were issued sabers and belts

and given a pair of shoes.  Then they were formed up and marched to the railway station.  Standing in front of the station at Exchange Place the men were addressed by Governor Sprague and blessed by Bishop Clark.  Then at 7PM, having bid goodbye to the large crowd of well-wishers, they boarded the train for the steamboat docks at Stonington, Connecticut.  Arriving there two hours later, they boarded the steamer Commonwealth for New York City.  While in the city the men received a haversack and canteen, and their first military rations of hard bread and boiled ham.  

  On August 15 the men boarded a ferry for South Amboy, New Jersey where they embarked on railroad cars for Baltimore.  After a stop in Philadelphia where the men received a hearty meal at the famed Soldier's Retreat, they arrived in Baltimore about midnight.  Passing through Baltimore without incident, the train next stopped at Harper's Ferry where the men met a joyous welcome from the Rhode Islanders of Battery A who were stationed there on picket duty.  It was expected that Battery B would relieve Battery A who would be sent back to Washington, but when the high command realized that Battery B was all raw recruits, they ordered Battery B on to Washington instead.  Arriving in Washington City on the morning of August 17, the men were marched to Camp Sprague, which was to be their home for the next month.