Christopher Gardner, Jr., Captain, Nathaniel Hawkins, Lieutenant, and William Potter, (son of Ichabod,) Ensign, of a Company in the Regiment of Kings County and Kent.

John Randall Captain, Oliver Clark, Lieutenant, and Stephen Wells, Ensign, of a Company in the Regiment of Kings County and Kent.

As soon as the Act for raising the Army of Observation was passed, and the officers commissioned, it was immediately carried into effect. The companies were soon filled, and the troops soon on their march to "Prospect Hill," near Boston. In June following six additional companies were ordered to be raised to enlarge the army, and placed under the same General Officers, and to serve for the same length of time. The officers of these companies were as follows.

Both Houses being joined in Grand Committee, chose the following officers, to wit:

OFFICERS ΤΟ COMMAND THE SIX ADDITIONAL COMPANIES OF THE ARMY OF OBSERVATION.

Ebenezer Flagg, Captain, Joseph Perry, Lieutenant, Noel Allen, Ensign, of the Eighth Company to be raised in the Counties of Newport and Bristol.

Thomas Grey, Captain, Lemuel Baily, Lieutenant, William Southworth, Ensign, of the Ninth Company to be raised in the Counties of Newport and Bristol.

Levi Tower, Captain, Silas Talbut, Lieutenant, Reuben Sprague, Ensign, of the Ninth Company to be raised in the County of Providence.

Israel Gorton, Captain, James Williams, Lieutenant, Joseph Harris Ensign, of the Tenth Company to be raised in the County of Providence.

Ethan Clark, Captain, Thomas Cole, Lieutenant, John Woodmansie, Ensign, of the Ninth Company to be raised in the Counties of Kings County and Kent.

Christopher Smith, Captain, Thomas Sweet, Lieutenant, Oliver Tew, Ensign, of the Tenth Company to be raised in the Counties of Kings County and Kent.

These companies were soon filled up, and on their march to join the grand army near Boston. Never, perhaps, had "His Majesty" an army sooner enlisted into his service, and equipped, than the "Army of Observation" of Rhode Island, in 1775.

The blood of the martyrs at Lexington was as " seed," which was soon scattered over the whole country; and it fell on "good soil" in every part of the land, and, by the blessing of God, "brought forth fruit abundantly." A fire was kindled in the hearts of men which burnt up the tory "stubble" in every colony, and was not extinguished until Great Britain herself acknowledged our Independence, based upon the principle that, "Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of its ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

It is to be extremely regretted that the rolls of the rank and file of the several companies of the Army of Observation have not been preserved. The writer has never been able to find but two-Captain Jeremiah Olney's and Captain Stephen Kimball's. None are found in the archives of the state. The above companies are as follows, both belonging to Col. Hitchcock's Regiment :

LIST OF 4TH COMPANY IN COL. HITCHCOCK'S REGIMENT.

Ruben Hines,

Jeremiah Walling,

Hezekiah Medbury,

Pain Hines,

Abel Hornton,

Abram Jones.

After the enlistments of this army expired, December 31, they were again mostly enlisted for one year, under the authority of the Continental Congress. Of this "year's service" we have only the names of one company.

List of men's names, &c., enlisted under Capt. Jeremiah Olney, upon the new establishment in the Continental Army.

James Hall,

Joseph West,

John Peirce,

Jonathan Bawd,

Jedediah Bass, (Sergeant,)

Joseph Majury,
Daniel Fry,

William Vibert,

John Bishop,

Benjamin Bartholomew,
Daniel Williams,
Daniel Delano,
Benjamin Webb,
Benjamin Pease,
John Young,
John Foot,

Joseph Gardner,
James Lepthorn,
Thomas Tillern,
Samuel Calley,
John Melzard,
Manuel Knight,
Joseph Rounday,
John Foster,
John English,

Samuel Armstrong,
Thomas Madicks,

Thomas Melzard,

Moses Masy,

Asa Farrar,

Thomas Gardner,

Samuel Ayers,

David Morse,

George Pike,

Richard Pittiduck.

In October, 1775, the General Assembly ordered another Regiment to be raised for one year. It consisted of twelve companies, containing seven hundred and fifty men. It was taken into Continental pay, and the officers received continental commissions, when the Regiment marched to the westward in September, 1776. The officers appointed were as follows:

October, 1775.

1st Company.

William Richmond, Colonel.

Gideon Hoxie, Lieutenant Colonel.
Benjamin Tallman, Major.

Caleb Gardner, Captain.

Benj. Fry, Lieutenant, afterwards Captain.
Jonathan Wallen, Ensign.

Caleb Case, Lieutenant.

Peleg Heath, Ensign.

Job Pearce, Captain.

2d Company.

Peter Church, Captain.

3d Company.

4th Company.

Malichi Hammett, Lieutenant.
Benj. Burlingame, Ensign.

Thomas Wells, 2d, Captain.
Augustus Stanton, Lieutenant.
Peleg Berry, Ensign.

5th Company. Christopher Manchester, Captain.

Walter Palmer, Lieutenant.
Jonathan Duval, Ensign.

6th, Colonel's Company.

William Barton, Captain Lieutenant.
Charles Lippitt, Lieutenant.

Squire Fisk, Ensign.

7th, Lieut. Colonel's Company.

James Wallace, Captain Lieutenant.
John Rogers, Lieutenant.

William Davis, Ensign.

8th, Major's Company.

Charles Dyer, Captain Lieutenant.
Zerubabel Westcoat, Lieutenant.
Royal Smith, Ensign.