Colonel Israel Angell – 1740- 1832

At the Battle of Rhode Island he commanded 260 men.

2nd RI flag

Israel Angell came from one of the founding families of Providence. He served throughout the Revolutionary War. Was was a major in Hitchcock’s Regiment at the beginning of the war. He served with that regiment at the Siege of Boston. As the Continental Army was organized in 1776, Angell was part of the 11th Continental infantry. When Hitchcock was appointed brigade commander, Angell commanded the regiment. His regiment was re-named the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment on January 1, 1777. Angell was promoted to lieutenant colonel and shortly after was promoted to Colonel. He commanded the regiment following the death of Hitchcock. He was an experienced soldier serving at Valley Forge, the Siege of Boston, Brandywine, Red Bank, Monmouth and then the Battle of Rhode Island.

Samuel Ward Jr. – 1756 – 1832

At the Battle of Rhode Island he commanded 140 men.

Samuel Ward Jr.

Ward was from Westerly and was the son of a Governor of Rhode Island. He was captain of the Kings and Kent County Militia in 1775. When the regiment was mobilized under Col. Varnum, he served as captain. Varnum’s Regiment became part of the Army of Observation during the Siege of Boston. He served as a volunteer under Christopher Greene to support Benedict Arnold’s expedition to Quebec. He was captured on New Year’s Eve, 1775 and was later exchanged for other prisoners. Ward was promoted to a major of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment on January 12, 1777, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 5 May 1779 (with date of rank retroactive to May 26, 1778). With the 1st Rhode Island Regiment he fought at the Battle of Red Bank (October 1777) and the Battle of Rhode Island (August 1778). He is an ancestor of Julia Ward Howe.