Home

Rhode Islanders in the Wider War

November 11, 2025

portsmouthhistorynotes Portsmouth History , , Leave a comment

The Rhode Island Continental units began with an “Army of Observation” in 1775. In December of that year they were reenlisted under the Continental Congress. Militias were in the fight, too, but the Continental lines did most of the fighting throughout the war. The 1st and 2nd Regiments were merged into the Rhode Island Regiment in 1781.

Rhode Island Continental Line units

     The list below is from the Rhode Island Historical Society
Flag of 2nd RI
Flag of 1st RI


May 1775 Commissioned as Army of Observation by R.I. General Assembly, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Nathanael Greene.
May 1775 Served in march to Prospect Hill in Boston
June 1775 Enlistments expired; reformed under continental service.
Dec. 1775 Church’s Third Regiment disbanded.
April 1776 Marched to Long Island
August 1776 Greene promoted to Major General; went to serve mostly in southern campaigns. Replaced by Brig. Gen. James M. Varnum.
Sept. 1776 Brigaded with the other two R.I. regiments under Richmond and Lippitt
Winter 1776-7 At Morristown, N.J.
Sept. 1777 Fought at Brandywine
Oct. 1777 Fought at Germantown and Fort Mercer / Red Bank
Nov. 1777 Fought at Fort Mifflin
12/77-6/78 At Valley Forge
6/78 Fought at Monmouth
1778 Varnum’s brigade under command of Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, in Rhode Island campaign.
Winter 1778-9 Camped for winter at Warren, R.I.
1779 Both regiments were in Rhode Island, in camp at Barber’s Heights, North Kingstown. after the retirement of Varnum, brigade under command of Brig. Gen. John Stark, with Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates
Oct. 1779 Transferred to Morristown, N.J.
Sept. 1780 Transfered to West Point, N.Y.
January 1781 Two regiments merged.
August 1781 Rhode Island continental regiment participated in crucial victory at Yorktown, Va. Capt. Stephen Olney’s company distinguished itself. After surrender of British Gen Cornwallis, fighting was virtually over.

Rhode Island Historical Society. https://www.rihs.org/mssinv/Mss673sg2.htm

Commanders of the Battle: Israel Angell And Samuel Ward

September 15, 2025

portsmouthhistorynotes Portsmouth History , , Leave a comment

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.