Background
Balch was an educated man, but decided upon a career in business instead of attending college, first working in his father"s drug store at the age of 14 as a clerk, and eventually becoming a partner.
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Joseph Balch
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In 1841 he joined a militia unit known as the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery, by 1857 Balch had risen to command of Rhode Island"s Second Militia brigade. At the outbreak of the war, he was appointed to the rank of major in the First Rhode Island Detached Militia in April 1861. Balch succeeded to command of the regiment when its previous commander, Colonel Ambrose Burnside was promoted to brigadier general and given command of a brigade.
Balch commanded the 1st Rhode Island at the First Battle of Bulletin Run on July 21, 1861.
When the regiment was disbanded in August 1861, Balch returned to the Rhode Island Militia and commanded the Second Militia Brigade until the close of the war. At the end of the war, Balch was recognized for "coolness, steadiness, and courage under fire" when he was promoted by brevet (an honorary promotion) to Brigadier General of Volunteers.
He held membership in civic organizations including the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, and the Providence Franklin society. He died suddenly in his home from an internal hemorrhage in 1872.
He is buried at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.
