The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-05-10
MocAr. MArraRa.

the k1cnm0n4 311Rhe lntanely btuGUS3 w oide9t
volunteer company IN the ely, ard uls for ashum
every virsinisn fssls the livslIest tympsshy, 10
propose sketcbing, sas briefly % possible an our
line OF IL history, gathered from Its written re-
cords, which Of themselyes, II carefully arranged
and printed. would make volume Of great value
to hundreds of our ctze ems, whose auceeors have
bean associated with H. from time 10 tims, for near-
In 1885, q We have good authority for saying, the
company now called "Blues," was raised by Capt
WILLIAM RIcHARDsoN, the uniform being scarlet
trimmed with white, and continued In existence
until April 1893. when that uniform was abandon
ed, because of IT, resemblance to the "British red
coats" then 30 obnoxious to our people. and Q
''blue coat trimmed with white, adopted Ia its
stead AZ soon ~ this change was known, siAfy ood
of the most respectable citizens OF Richmond en-
tered their names on the company's roll and the
corps was then thoroughly re organized. Captain
William Richardson was reelected Commanaer,
George Richardson. Lieutenant, Robert McCartny,
Ensign, Alexander Yuille, lst Sergeant John Duns
more. Cd Sergeant, James Cronly. Sd Sergeant,
Manuel Judah, 4th Sergeant, Francis Hyianf, lst
Corporal. Zalman Refine I'D, H. Ball. ID James
Warren 4th, and George Watt, Secretary. Before
the change In uniform, the company was caiIed
Richmond Light Infantry" but siseriadoptfng
new coat. they were called "The Blues" which
name was afterwards added by general consent
and thus the present pame, "hichmond Light In
fantry Blues"
g. men, which soon after increased 70 go; and -
the ecers elected il April received their commis
sions on the 10th Of May following. that day was
selected a. the anniversary, and has been ceiebra'
&C On The 9Th Of May, 1874. the bylaws were re-
vised, and new rules and regulations added there
to, the company coniinu ng TO prosper.
On the Both Of August 1900 Information was
received by Gov. Monroe of an extensive insurrec
ton contemplated by the slaves under Gen. Ga.
brel," to take place that day, and the 18th and
SD regiments of militia were ordered to hold
themselves In readiness for service: In one hour
from the receipt ofthe order, "the Blues" being
ready for service, and were entrusted with the re-
sponsble duty of patroing the city and Its envi.
rons, and guarding the public buildings In which
the arms and ammunition OF the State were BE
cured and the State prisoners kept. Providen.
tally, heavy rain fell from which Bacon Quarter
Branch and Gillies Creek became so swollen a. to
be rendered impossible. The whole country were
Immediately aroused to the impending danger,
doned their murderous designs; the principals
were arrested and executed, and quiet restored.
From this time to the 22d of June 1907, the COM
psny continued their monthly parades; becoming
more and more efficient In drill and discipline,
when news was received of the cowardy and un.
provoked attack made on the U. s. frlgate .Ches.
apeake," Commodore Barron, by the British ship.
of-war "Leopard," Commodore Humphreys. Such
an outrage on cur country flag was too much for
the Blues" who assembled at the Bell Tavern,
on the 29th of Juno, and passed resolutions ex-
pressive Of their indignation at such high handed
conduct offering their services to the United States
Government to aid In redressing her wrongs and
pIedping their fortunes and their lives in support
of such measures as the government might adopt
for thespurpose of obtaining satisfaction. These
resolutions were Immediately forwarded to Thos.
Jefferson, then President OF the United States, who
on the 9Th of July, acknowledged their receipt In
letter to Capt. Richardson, highly complimentary
to the patriotism of the Blues" and promising to
remember their OFFER ehould their services be
quired in vindicating our countrys rights
The services Of the company were elso rendered
to the Governor Of the State, in case of further
hostilities, which were anticipated, and they &C
cordngly left here with Gen. Matthews brigade, ON
the 7th of July, and marched to Portsmouth, q
distance of 12j miles, where they arrived on the
necessary of life after suffering severely throsgh-
out the expedition. Gen. Matthews finding that
he had force amply sufficient to repel any attack
that could be made from the British squadron, the
Blues" returned to this city on the 29th of July
1907, after being on duty twenty days By their
pay roll 1t appears that they numbered "a menu
n; II being comm ssioned and non-commissiou-
ed Offices, and SO privates.
Captain Richardson continued Ia command UNI
til the 11th of June 1909, that being The time of
his death He died sincerely lamented by his
company, who buried him with military honors
On the Gath OF June, 1909, the company met at
the Bell Tavern, when HENRY s. SHORE was cleo
ted Captain which office he resigned on the 2sh of
January, 1910.
On the olaf of February, 1870 the company held
a meeting, and elected WILLIAM MURPHY Captain.
Under the command of this popular officer the
"Biues" attained their highest prosperity, as the
subsequent declaration of kept alive the mili-
tsry spirit of the State.
On the 25th of August, 1914, the "Blues," con.
sisting of lot men, were mustered Into service,
Intelligence having been received that the British
f1eet were about ascending York river, with view
of disembarking at the White House and marching
against Richmond,) and took up the lice of march
as portion of the Corps D'Elite Brigade of Vir-
ginia Militia, under the command of Col. Thomas
III. Randolph. After three days travel, they
reached Warronigh Church, where they were sta
toned, and the State having no camp equipage,
they were compelled to quarter in the church-ths
officers and few squads oil the men having con-
sructed bush tents, where they remained, en-
counteriug rain and mud for ten deys-their suffer
ings during that time being of the most painful
character. While here, Capt. Murphy, Lieutenant
Blair and Ensign Gamble were taken dangerous y
i'll with fever, but afterwards recovered Finding
that the British fleet had made no progress up the
river. the Brigade was ordered home-the "Bues'
reaching Richmond ON the 4th aud bling mus
tered out of service on the 9Th of October.
On the 18th of April, 1915, Captain Murphy ten.
dered his resignation to the company, which was
| reluctantly accepted, and JOHN G GAMBLE elect
ted to fill his place-receiving his commission on
the 10Th of that month.
| About the LIST OF April, 1916 Capt Gamble wal
| elected a field officer of the 10Th regiment The
command of the "Blues' was again rendered Ia
| Captain Murphy, who was finally induced to &C
cept it, after much persuasion by the officers and
members His second commission Is dated the
| 29th of April, 1876.
On the I'd of April, 1917, Captsil Murphy re-
signed his commission, and Lieutenant WILLIAM
FINNEY was elected to the command of the
Blues" his commission being dated from the 12sh
| April, 1917. Captain Finney continued 10 com.
| mand for five years, the company numbering from
60 TO 80 members all the time.
On the Goth of October. 1920, the "Blues seven.
ty.six strong, chartered the steamboat erich
| mond,' Captain Coffin, and visited Norfolk and
Portsmouth. by Invitations of Captains Capron and
q alt the commanders of two volunteer companies
OF that town, to witness the launch of the Della
ware. They were most Hospitality entertained,
and did not reach home until the morning Of the
23d.
On the 22d of February 1921, the "Blues" cele-
brated Washington's birth day by ball at the
Union Hotel, which Is said TO have been one of the
mo ct magnificent affairs of the kind ever witnessed
in this city. There were $50 ladies present ON the
occasion.
On the 4.h OF July, 1921, the Independent and
Junior volunteer companies of Norfolk, Captains
Capron and Gait assisted the "Blues" In celebra>
ting that day, and dined with them at Buchanan
Spring, the Blues having 100 Inuskets In the line.
On the 23d OF August, Captain Finney resigned