The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-13
4 TIMRHONORED CORPS.
rzr WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY
- AWAKE.

rzr zrwlsgrNGToN LIGHT INFANTRY
- AWAKE.
A Right movo In the Right Direction.
ON Saturday at noon numbers of gentlemen
Of mature years and still maturer Judgment
were seen quietly vending their way to the
hall of the Chamber OF Commerce. age
seemed to have gained something OF the ouoy-
ancy OF youth, and many time-worn counVe'
nance lit up again with the tervid expression
of days long ago. AS soon as we learned lhe
nnrpose of the assemblage, the secret Oh tne
,enthusiasn was no more a mystery. 1t was
the spirit of Washington moving in the for
mer members and associates OF tne "asu'ns-
ton Light Infantry. The old men nad come
together quietly and unobtrusiVely TO glVe
their counsel and take measures TO assist tne
Young men in building up the ole corps, tne
h,s,oric Nv. L. L." now commanded by Gap
tain william A. Courtenay upon lis grand
foundation, George Washington.
There were present by invitation, 7. 2.
Lowndes, G. I. Crafts, D. Ravenel, Jr., W. st.
7 Jeryey and C. I. Walker, Esqs. Represent
Yno deceased commanders Of the old corps, D.
p Bonelheau, Henry 8. Tew, Esqs., and DR..
Robert. Lebby, sr., of the roll OF lsA; Rev. a.
T, Porter, .chaplaiE; J. L. Honour, Esq, presi'
dent W. L. 1. Charitable Association, and q
number of others connected With the past oi
the company.
The meeting was called to order by e4-
Captain W. D. Porter, who moved that e4-
Captain simonton take the cnair, and that
Captain Oney act as secretary.
The chairman stated that the purpose OF lnls
gathering Of the old members, and OF those
who we're connected by close Ties with The
company, was to take such action as We I'D
strepcshsn the efforts Of the younger MEN,
hers who we're engaged in the good work oil
extending the present organization and caus-
ing it to hold up and perpetuate the RANKS
anu standing Of the old corps.
Colonel A. o. Andrews, one OF the honorary
members of The Washington Light Infantry
and It's long-tried and ever-ready friend, then
arose and, on behalf of large constituency
for whom be spoke, presented for the consid-
Grafton Ct The council. present the suololned
uappeal;" in introducing which he enlisted
the warm sympathy Of his colleagues by one
of those judicious, graceful and effective
speeches, which 1t is usual to expect from
him. The influence thereof on the meeting
vas evident, and it was manifest to all that
the, old, washington Light Infantry was to
bud forth again In all the spirit OF the good
old days.
Tne washington Light Infantry.
nor,pp the wear 1907, q collision occurred
of the Capes of Virginia, between the
.I,eopsrd," ffty-gun ship OF the British
navy. and tho United States frigate "Chesa-
neake," growing out of England's assertion OF
Inc right to search American ships on lhe
high seas. The peculiar circumstances OF thie
case were of character TO cause intense ex-
cilement over the country, and to confirm the
belief that war with Eogland was Inevitable.
When the news reached Charleston, there was
deem feeling exhibited, and The al ms bearing
portion Of the population formed themselves
into military companies, In readiness for the
issue, then believed to be MADE up, and iully
realized afterwards.
Among the companies organized at that
time, the most prominent, by reason OF the
high character OF lts founders, was the Wash
isgton Light Infantry, which was promptly
commissioned. It was most happy In the
selection OF its oficers-its frat captain being
William Lowndes, the councillor and sage,
who.fWitfl Calhoun, Cheves aud Clay, rallied
the spirit OF the country, and on their strong
shonlders bore the administrator Of Mr.. Mad
ison triumpn0cc through all the doubtful tor
tnnes, OF The second war OF independence. For
it's first lieutenant, known In after years as
Colonel George warren Cross. the very per-
propriety and unfallng courtesy. It's ensign
was william Crafts, the orator OF his genera
ton. who charmed the aged by the persuasion
Of bis llps, woke rapture In the bosoms OF the
vonng-ooy and madsn-by the briliianoy of
his rhetoric, his gay and gentle fancies, borne
to the ear on atide Of sweetest melody.
JDuring the war Of 1924, the company
was regularly mustered Into the public SER
vice, but no military event occurred In this
eection OF the country.
In 1924, upon the occasion of the visit OF the
MARQUIS de Lafayette 10 Charleston, the Gov
ernor of the State designated the Washing
tonsLight Iafantry, Captain W. b. Miller, and
French gfusillers, Captain A. Follin, as a spe-
clal guard Of honor TO meet this distinguished
visitor, and escort him into the city
In 1897, the widow Of Colonel William Wash
,rpton. of tne revolution, wishing to assign
her husbands battle flag 10 the custody OF one
Of The many military companies OF the city,
sslected the Washington Light Infantry, Cap
tain B. B. Gilchrist, and the presentation In
ifons of the ssWashington Mansion on South
Raw. Ia still remembered as notable event In
ths.lecal. history OF the city. This flag, now
nearly century old, and believed to be- the
only one OF revolutionary date In the posses
slon of private association, is still preserved,
although much worn by Time; the frst stand
ard bearer was Sergeant Henry 8. TeWl who
ssill survives. -. o.
when in 1886 the country, and especially
the South, was startled by the news o. the
massacre OF three hundred Unlted states
troops. under The command OF Colonel Dade,
in the wIlds of Florida, and that the savages
who committed the deed were running riot
and had carried nre and devastation to the
petes Of 81. Augustine, the Washington Light
fnIanlry, losing no time, hastened to the
rsscne Of that ancient city, and with the Wash
ineton Volunteers, Captain Finley, aud Ger
man Ensiiers, Captain Tlmrod, helped to save
its houses from cOnhsgralion, and its women
and children from massacre. The company
wasthen led by the late Captain Henry Rave-
mel. and among his junior officers were Lee,
Jsryey, Porter, Walker and Hatch, all success
siyely honored with the command In succeed
ing years.
When the Mexican war broke out1n l8k7.
the General Government called upon the Gov
ernor OF South Carolina for q regiment Of In
fanlry; 1t will te remembered that much
larger number OF companies offered than
could be accepted; but the Charleston Vclun-
teers were received, and Ensign VIM. Bland.
ing, of the Washington Light Infantry, was
called TO It's command. AS part OF the his
torlci "Palmelto Regiment" It shared the
trials and distinctions OF General scott's bril-