Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The national arms have sustained a temporary defeat. This reverse is the more sad to us that it is accompanied by the loss of so many gallant officers and brave men who held the honor of Rhode Island second only to their love of country.

Colonel John S. Slocum, Major Sullivan Ballou, Captains Levi Tower and Samuel J. Smith, and Lieutenant Thomas Foy, of the Second regiment, and Lieutenant Henry A. Prescott, of the First regiment, have fallen. So far as yet known, this completes the list of fatal casualties among the officers; that of the privates is not yet received.

The State will embalm the memory of these noble men, as it preserves the fame of its heroes of revolutionary days.

This reverse calls for renewed and vigorous effort on the part of all loyal citizens to maintain the Federal Government.

Therefore, I, Samuel G. Arnold, Lieutenant-Governor, do hereby call upon the good people of this State to come forward without delay and volunteer their services in defence of the Constitution and the laws.

Arrangements will at once be made for the commandants of the several military companies to enroll men to serve for three years or during the war, unless sooner discharged. Let the response to this call be prompt, decided, and such as will show that the martial spirit of our State is alike indomitable in victory or defeat.