Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society collection, 1858-1887.
(Book)

This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Providence Public Library, Rhode Island Collection department.

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. The collection also include the collar worn by Major Sullivan Ballou. 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.

Researchers are requested to use the following citation format: [item title], Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society Collection, Rhode Island Collection, Providence Public Library

Copyright has not been assigned to Providence Public Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be obtained by the researcher from the copyright holder.

Published works that were originally donated as part of this collection were separated and cataloged as part of the Harris Collection on Civil War and Slavery. The bulk of the manuscripts and records were donated to the RI Historical Society.

See also: Caleb Fiske Harris Collection on the Civil War and Slavery, Providence Public Library. Personal Narratives of the Battles of the Rebellion, Providence Public Library. Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society records, Rhode Island Historical Society.

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 battlefield. 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.

Materials are in English.

https://www.provlib.org/wp-content/uploads/finding-aids/022-02-FA.pdf.

Material was acquired from collector.

Portions of this collection were published in the Personal Narratives of the Battles of the Rebellion, a series published by the Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society.

The collection was processed in 2014 by Taylor McNeilly.

Gift of Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society, date unknown. No accruals are expected.