Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

A public ceremony by the Rhode Island National Guard tomorrow will recall a part of Rhode Island's role in the Civil War.

In celebrating its 372nd birthday, the Guard will mark the return of a military flag that was captured, along with a Rhode Island unit, by Confederate soldiers 145 years ago.

The flag, also called a guidon, was taken from the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Cavalry when the unit was surrounded and captured by the 5th North Carolina Cavalry during the Battle of Middleburg, in Virginia, on June 17, 1863, according to the Rhode Island National Guard.

Of the 280 members of the unit, six soldiers were confirmed killed in action, 23 were wounded, and 220 were either captured or reported missing in action.

The 1st Rhode Island Cavalry was raised in Pawtucket in 1861 and played an important role in the opening skirmishes at the Battle of Gettysburg, according to the Guard.

The North Carolina Museum of History returned the guidon to Rhode Island this year. The Guard describes the military flag (photo, upper left, courtesy of the Guard) as being in "immaculate condition." It has the gold stars of the Union states and the initials R.I. on a field of blue and the 13 red and white stripes.

Tomorrow's ceremony will include the presentation of an Outstanding Unit award to the 143rd Airlift Wing.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Varnum Armory, 6 Main St., East Greenwich. It's open to the public and, like any good birthday party, will include cake.

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