Guide to the Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society manuscripts, published works, and other material, 1858-1887


Providence Public Library, Rhode Island Collection
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-455-8021
Fax: 401-455-8065
email: ricoll@provlib.org

Published in 2014

Collection Overview

Title: Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society manuscripts, published works, and other material
Date range: 1858-1887
Creator: Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society
Extent: 1 linear foot
Abstract: This collection consists primarily of manuscripts and papers from the society, as well as published material including newspapers and flyers.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Providence Public Library, Rhode Island Collection
Collection number: MSS 019

Scope & content

This collection consists primarily of manuscripts and papers from the society, as well as published material including newspapers and flyers. Some paperwork, such as muster rolls and blank applications, are included, as well as some correspondence appearing to be from members of the society.

Access Points

Subject Topics Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

The collection is separated into five series according to the format of the material. The series are: manuscripts, published works, forms, correspondence, and the Ballou Collar.

  • Series I. Manuscripts
  • Series II. Published Works
  • Series III. Forms
  • Series IV. Correspondence
  • Series V. Ballou Collar

Historical note

The Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society was founded circa 1875 with the intention of preserving and disseminating the history of the Civil War, with an emphasis on the role of Rhode Island residents. Full membership was open to Rhode Island residents who had served in the Civil War. Meetings included readings concerning battles and campaigns, many of which were published under the title Personal Narratives of the Battles of the Rebellion.

The Ballou Collar was worn by Major Sullivan Ballou during the battle of Bull Run, in which he died. The collar was recovered by Mr. Nichols of the First Rhode Island Cavalry on March 21, 1862 after the Confederate descrecation of his body on the battle field. The collar was then donated to the Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society by Lieutenant Charles A. Towne.

When the society was disbanded, its published material, papers, and library were donated to the Providence Public Library. While the majority of the manuscripts and papers were given in an exchange to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1933, these materials appear to have been kept by the Providence Public Library.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Providence Public Library Special Collections department.
Use of the materials: Researchers are requested to cite the collection name and the Providence Public Library in all bibliographic references.
Preferred citation: [item number], [item title], Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society manuscripts, published works, and other material, MSS 019, Providence Public Library.
Contact information: Providence Public Library, Rhode Island Collection
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-455-8021
Fax: 401-455-8065
email: ricoll@provlib.org

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Gift of Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society, date unknown.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Taylor McNeilly, 2014.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Stacie M. Parillo 2014 November 21.
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

Inventory

Series I. Manuscripts

Box 1, Folder 1 "Old Guard" Ward GAR Post
 1889
Box 1, Folder 2 Miscellaneous Manuscripts
Box 1, Folder 3 [Fragments of Speeches]
Box 1, Folder 4 Tobie, Edward P. [Fragment] Trip to Richmond as POW
Box 1, Folder 5 Metcalf, Edward Report of 3rd R.I. Heavy Artillery (Already Published)
Box 1, Folder 6 Barney, Beriah. "A Country Boys First three months in the army" (Already Published)
Box 1, Folder 7 Allen, George H. "Battle of the Mine"
Box 1, Folder 8 Peck, George B "A Recruit Before Petersburg" (Already Published)
Box 1, Folder 9 The organization and service of Battery F. 1st Reg't R.I. Light Artillery
Box 1, Folder 10 Untitled Manuscript
Box 1, Folder 11 Untitled Manuscript
Box 1, Folder 12 Untitled Manuscript
Box 1, Folder 13 Rhodes, Elisha Hunt. "The First Campaign of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers"

Series II. Published works

Box 1, Folder 14 [Folder removed from collection]
Box 1, Folder 15 Orleans Independent Standard (VT)
 1861
Box 1, Folder 16 Amsterdamsche Courant, 1864 (German)
 1864
Box 1, Folder 17 The Evening Post (New York)
Box 1, Folder 18 New York Herald
1863
Box 1, Folder 19 The World - Newspaper
 1862
Box 1, Folder 20 misc. newspaper clippings found in box
Box 1, Folder 21 Ballou's Pictorial Journal
 1858 December 18
Box 1, Folder 22 Vanity Fair
 1862 August 29
Box 1, Folder 23 Mollus Publications
Box 1, Folder 24 Congressional Report
 1889 February 24

Series III. Forms

Box 1, Folder 25 Blank Application Forms to Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society (3)
Box 1, Folder 26 Blank Forms
Box 1, Folder 27 Military Passes
 1865
Box 1, Folder 28 Miscellaneous Forms

Series IV. Correspondence

Box 1, Folder 29 Letter, E. F. Chupp
 1864 May 16
Box 1, Folder 30 Sholes, Albert E. "Reminisences of Bull Run…" and Other Papers
Box 1, Folder 31 Addemann, Joshua
 1892

Series V. Ballou Collar

Box stored separately in case 2