2d Rhode Island Infantry 016 (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

2d Rhode Island Infantry 016 (U.S. Civil War) The 2d Rhode Island Infantry, also known as the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry Regiment or the 'First African Regiment', was a military unit raised during the American Civil War. This particular designation, 016, likely refers to its place in the sequence of infantry regiments from all states during the war. The unique aspect of this regiment is that it was composed primarily of black soldiers recruited from Rhode Island and free blacks from other parts of the United States, making it one of the first integrated military units in the U.S. Army. The 2d Rhode Island Infantry saw action in several major battles, including the Battle of Port Hudson, the Battle of Olustee, and the Battle of Fort Wagner, among others.