It's easy to forget that Rhode Island was originally founded by people we would now call "punk-asses." Seeking complete religious and political freedom, they were ostracized from Plymouth and Boston. Fiercely independent, they were the first colony on May 4, 1776 to declare independence from British rule, and, because of their fear of a powerful central government, the last to ratify the constitution. I found this excerpt in a document from 1878. It is a description of the intense patriotism that existed even a 100 years after the war. In this period, many cities and towns still had active military companies comprised of locals. This one is made up entirely of Irishmen returned from service in the Civil War and still proudly standing guard "Sheridan Light Infantry, Company B, Sixth Battalion Rhode Island Militia, was organized, in 1865, with sixty privates and non-commissioned officers. Captain, Michael McCarthy; First Lieutenant, William Kelley; Second Lieutenant, Peter Lynn. Present officers are: Captain, John Cullen; First Lieutenant, Orvill Goodwin; Second Lieutenant, William Driscoll, with forty-five privates and non-commissioned officers. This is a full company, according to the existing laws of the State. The company occupies the Celtic Literary Institute rooms, in the second story of the Bates Block, corner of Broadway and Main Street. This organization is composed entirely of adopted citizens, of Irish descent, they feeling a just pride in the institutions of their adopted country, where equal rights are guaranteed to each of its citizens, in the protection of 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' While this protection is thus guaranteed to all, a certain degree of self-sacrificing devotion is incumbent upon all its citizens in the defence of its rights, and the preservation of its beneficent institutions. This company, inspired by a feeling of gratitude for the privileges and immunities thus vouchsafed to them, and prompted by a desire to aid in securing the permanent establishment of the principles of universal freedom, formed this organization composed of Irish citizens. Nearly all of the members of this company have seen active service, having been in the service of their adopted country from 1861 to 1865. Still cherishing a love for their native isle, their colors are a mingling of the green with our national colors. This company has been fully equipped twice at their own expense, the last uniform costing fifteen dollars per man. They have also two sets of colors. They consist of two of Irish colors, and two of United States colors. One of their United States colors was presented by their lady-friends of Pawtucket. The other was won at a fair, most votes taking the flag. In this contest this company and their friends cast $1,300 worth of votes, the proceeds going to the benefit of St. Mary's Church. The generosity of this company is displayed in the grand reunion and complementary parade and display of fireworks given in honor of the only colonel of Irish decent that the battalion every had. This was given in 1874, and was an occasion long to be remembered by the citizens of Pawtucket. The cost of the fireworks consumed upon this occasion amounted to some three hundred dollars, which was raised mainly though the efforts of this company." History of the State of Rhode Island with IllustrationsAlbert J. Wright, Printer No. 79 Mille Street, corner of Federal, Boston. Hong, Wade & Co., Philadelphia 1878.
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AuthorTom Trabulsi was born in the Midwest, attended high school in Rhode Island, and graduated from Boston University with a degree in American History. He was a bike courier in Boston and New York City, worked construction in the mountain west and east coast, and is currently a firefighter in a northeast city. Archives
August 2022
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