ounced by the discharge of three guns on the Mall, and by the
ringing of the church bells.

At 7 A. M., Wednesday, April 17th, a mounted courier arrived from
Providence with orders for Colonel Tew to report that day in
Providence with his company. Colonel Tew, upon the receipt of the
order, sent word by return courier that he would be in Providence
with his company at 2 P. M.

At 8 A. M., one of the company's brass guns was dragged by hand to
the Mall and fired three times by the gun squad that had remained in
the armory all night so as to be on hand when orders came.

Never before in the known history of the city was there so much
excitement as was caused by the firing of those guns. Business of all
kinds was suspended for the time being, and the people began to
realize that the time had come for action.

When the orders came that morning, Colonel George W. Tew was at work
at his trade, a mason, on Wellington Avenue. On receiving the order
he laid down his trowel and other tools, adopted the trade of a
soldier, and for four long years he served his country with credit to
himself and to the State of Rhode Island.

First Sergeant A. P. Sherman was driving on his market wagon
attending to his morning trade when he heard the signal guns. Leaving
his team on the street, he started at once for the armory on Clarke
street, and commenced to form the company.

In less than one hour the company were in line and ready to start.
Like the minute men of Revolutionary times, they left their bench,
their desks, and farm, at the call to arms. Thames street, Washington
square and Clarke street were thronged with people. The artillery
was at that time as at present the pride of Newport and it is not
strange that so much interest was manifested, and, besides, they were
about to leave home and friends, not knowing whether they would ever
return. They went from pure patriotism and love of the Old Flag; and
it is an undisputed fact to-day that had it not been for the
promptitude with which the first troops responded to the call of the
President, the city of Washington would have been taken by the rebel
forces. At the armory there were there assembled many prominent
citizens, Mayor W. H. Cranston and several of the clergy. Speech
making and hand shaking were indulged in for some time, and at 11.30
A. M. the company marched to Sayer's Wharf by way of Clarke, Touro
and Thames streets, escorted by about fifty past members of the
company.