Where You Can Find Confederate Flag Flying in Rhode Island

Rhode Island soldiers and volunteers fought valiantly for Union forces during the Civil War, but the flag of the U.S. and the Confederate flags are featured when organizations in the state honor all those who battled under both flags in America’s bloodiest conflict at home.

The Rhode Island Volunteers Civil War Re-Enactor Association sponsors events that include recreations of Union and Confederate battles, according to its website. This is a time when spectators can see the Confederate flag flying along with the Stars and Stripes.

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While paying tribute to the Second Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, Company D, reenactments of battles also include representation from the Second Virginia Volunteers, C.S.A., Company D, from the Confederacy. Confederate soldiers could recognize the red bedroll knapsacks, which contained a soldier’s necessities, of Rhode Island units during the war.

Rhode Island’s First Detached Militia Infantry Regiment and the Second Regiment of volunteers were formed soon after the firing on Fort Sumter by South Carolina and the start of the Civil War in April 1861. The re-enactments of the Rhode Island units include participation of those standing in as Confederate soldiers. The re-enactments feature artillery, weapons, uniforms, and the Union and Confederate flags.

Rhode Island residents and visitors might also see the Confederate flag flying during re-enactments of battles fought by Battery B First Rhode Island Light Artillery. Today, the unit portrays the life of soldiers during the Civil War along with providing educational programs to public and private schools, according to its website.

The Battery does its best to reenact military and civilian life accurately during the Civil War, teaching people about the sacrifices made by the men and women in Rhode Island.

The Battery participated in most major battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Gettysburg. The unit’s “Gettysburg Gun,” which stands on display at the Rhode Island State House in Providence, was also displayed at Gettysburg for a week in 1988 during the 125th anniversary re-enactment at the site of the key battle between the Union and the Confederacy.

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