Description
CDV has no backmark. Governor Sprague offered Slocum the commission of Major in the First Regiment, Rhode Island Detached Militia as the Civil War was starting. This offer was promptiy accepted. The regiment left Providence on the 20th of April and proceeded to Washington, where it remained until ordered to the front in July. When the raising of the Second Rhode Island Regiment was in progress, great anxiety was felt by the citizens as to who should be its commander. The selection of Major Slocum by the governor relieved this anxiety and met the approval of both volunteers and people. The Second Regiment, under the command of Colonel Slocum, left Providence on the nineteenth day of June, 1861, and on its arrival in Washington encamped near Camp Sprague, where the First Regiment was stationed. From this time until its first engagement at Sudley Ford, Colonel Slocum was actively engaged in preparing his regiment for service in the field; and when the conflict came on, his men fought with the courage and coolness of veterans. On that eventful Sunday morning, destined to be the last on earth to Colonel Slocum, he led his regiment and was the first to arrive at Sudley Ford, on the extreme left of the rebel line. His regiment at once engaged the enemy. The steady charges of this gallant corps, led by its experienced and brave commander, forced the Confederate troops to retire in disorder. But in the hour of apparent victory, this hero of two wars fell mortally wounded and was left on the field. He lived nearly two days after he was stricken down, but never spoke again or manifested any signs of consciousness.
