By Ron Field
The expense of full dress and fatigue uniforms required by many antebellum militia companies largely limited their membership to men from the upper classes of American society. One such unit, the First Light Infantry of Providence, R.I., formed in 1818. It became affiliated with the Second Regiment of Rhode Island Militia.
Like most militia companies, the First drilled and paraded regularly, and organized balls, drill tours and target shoots. In so doing, it performed an important role in providing trained soldiers when circumstances required them.
It was one of only 20 active volunteer militia companies in the state in 1861. After the Civil War began, 231 of its members formed Companies C and D of the First Regiment, Rhode Island Detached Militia. They numbered among the first responders who, with Col. Ambrose E. Burnside, defended the Union and the national capital.
Many of these men went on to positions of command during the rest of the Civil War: Three captains and 22 lieutenants, plus one lieutenant and two master’s mates to the U.S. Navy.
Dress uniform
Since 1842, the full-dress uniform of the First had been scarlet tail coats and light blue pantaloons with 1.5-inch wide white seam stripes edged with scarlet cord. The coats were double-breasted with nine buttons in each row, and white facing color trimmed with gold braid on collar, cuffs and tails. Merchant tailors Thomas & Co. of 4 Westminster Street in Providence supplied the uniforms. Proprietor Hanson Hull Thomas had joined the company in 1836.
In 1854, leadership required its members to purchase a replacement uniform of the same pattern, again supplied by Thomas & Co. This same year, the company added white gloves of acquired lisle thread, or Egyptian cotton, and Bombazine neck stocks.
Bearskin caps appeared in 1845. Made by furrier Henry Huster of 40 Maiden Lane in New York City, the company purchased 77 of them for $1,097.25, or $14.25 per man (about $568 in today’s dollars). Huster had supplied caps of the same pattern to the 7th New York State Militia in 1843.
In February 1857, the company marched in its first parade wearing overcoats. Patterned after the regulation overcoat adopted by the U.S. Army for foot troops in 1851, an 1860 newspaper article described them as being of “light blue mixed” cloth. These overcoats were worn by members serving in Companies C and D of the First Regiment, Rhode Island Detached Militia, during its 1861 deployment in Washington.
Fatigue uniform
Dating to 1858, the uniform featured dark blue frock coats with white cord trim around the collar and cuffs made by various merchant tailors of Providence, including Moulton & Rodman, J. & G.W. Prentice, and George Whitford. These proprietors held membership in the company. Epaulets were of a new design consisting of a short one-inch bullion fringe and white worsted strap edged with blue made by military suppliers Messrs. Horstman & Allien of New York City. The pants, of doe skin cloth of the same light blue color and pattern, were also worn for full dress.
Waist belts fastened by plain brass clipped corner plates and white buff leather shoulder belts bore an ornamental shield-shaped plate with state coat of arms including foul anchor and motto “HOPE.”
The regulation caps of the National Guard shako-pattern were made by “Smith, of New York—celebrated cap maker of the day.” This was probably James S. Smith & Sons of 15 Dutch Street in New York City. The cap included a patent leather band around the top and bottom and a brass plate consisting of sun rays with the numeral “1” at the center and “First Light Infantry Co.” around its rim. A white worsted pompon was attached to its top. Members also wore Chasseur-pattern forage caps which could be hung on the back of the waist belt.
Post-war history
In 1869, members established the F.L.I. Veteran Association and formed a cadet company. In 1872, it expanded to four companies and provided a company of 80 volunteers for the Spanish-American War.
Membership dwindled in the 20th century. Its armory on South Main Street in Providence eventually closed. The contents of the building, including uniforms, weapons, photographs and memorabilia, were stored by Jones Warehouse Inc. until 1957, when much of it was auctioned. The Russ-Gold Sporting Company of Fall River, Mass., acquired the materials for the princely sum of $2,700.
Special thanks to the staff at the Rhode Island Historical Society, including Richard J. Ring, Deputy Executive Director for Collections and Interpretation and Jennifer Galpern, Research Services Manager.
References: Michael J. McAfee, “Uniforms & History” Military Images (November-December, 1992); Alan H. Archambault, “First Light Infantry, Rhode Island, 1861,” Military Collector & Historian (Fall 2003); First Light Infantry Company Records, Frederic Hayes, “History of Uniforms” & Frederick Hayes, “Report of the First Light Infantry Regiment, 1818–1905,” Rhode Island Historical Society; Woodbury, First Light Infantry Veteran Association, of Providence, R.I.; Manufacturers and Farmers Journal, Providence, R.I., Sept. 17, 1860; Evening Bulletin, Providence, R.I., March 9, 1950; Woodbury, A Narrative of the Campaign of the First Rhode Island Regiment in the spring and summer of 1861.
Ron Field is a MI Senior Editor.
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