The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-09-17
The washington LIghtrnrantry.

The Military .Nagasmc of 1889, published
Ia philadelphia, and furnished US By Mai. James r.
Wett contains the following concerning this justly
popular military organization:
In the summer OF 1896 the District OF Columbia
presented an aspect before unknown ana never anti
CpAtod. The seat OF the General Government, where
an immense outlay had been caused In the erection OF
splendid public edhces, with an armOry, arsenal, aud
navy yard, left without protection, the small force
generally stationed there having been withdrawn to
Florida, and community without arms by which
they could defend their own or the public property
from destruction or protect their lives In case OF
danger which, from some secret cause, was at one
time more than imaginary. II was then that, soe-
Ing tbs necessity Of adopting some measure for their
own safety Ia case OF danger, and that feeling Of
security, which well-drilled body Of men, COM
pletely armed, and ready at moment notice never
falls To impaTt might be felt by the citizens. by
tho eNertlUns Of two or three patriotic individuals
signatures were obtained toward the establishment OF
a volunteer corps, which was formed and organized
under the name Of the Washington Lighs Infantry.
" Notwithstanding the necessity which existed for
the formation Of company many ana sdimcnl-
ties against II had Ia be overcome Public opinion
decidedly opposed 10 IT, ON the ground that II had
ceased TO be an experiment, on account Of the nu-
merous companies which had sprung Into existence
within few years and vanished almost AS soon as
formed, and ihoy were led 10 regard this attempt
only az NTH edition Of what had gone before.
" The dinCulty Of obtaining arms was likewise a
serious obstacle, the gotA allotted the District hay
Ing been than exhausted by being placed Ia the
hands OF companies which preceded u.s. and by whom
they we're lost destroyed 10 repeated applications
for them refusal had been given, nor would they
eventually have been obtained but f0I the soli0us a
from gTDundless, bolng made known 10 the proper
authority, These difficulties, with others which
might be mentioned having boon set aside, the
apathy and want " energy which they naturally
Impaired Ia those who Al first most anxious 10
form company was entirely removed when II
was understood that a military display would be
made IA Washington by part OF the volunteer force
Of baltimore 10 whom an Invitation had been OK
tended by the Washington Branch Railroad FOR The
INST time before ~ slnccl OF Trip 10 Washington,
complimentary 10 them for tho piOmpt and enlciunt
AID they had rendered the company ia quelling the
disturbances which had arisen between ito labOToIs
on tho lines, This gave lie tU wishes and short
rs the time necessarily was IN which We could equip
ourselves fur theT reception, (Which was 20 take
place on The I'm Of September iu ras than three
weeks NO were ready 10 parade and aid parade ON
tho morning Of the l2th forty hye men.
"1ho following were the uinCrTs who had been
elected Ou the 26th Of August previous; Captain,
John A, Blake; hEt lieutenant, H. France seoOul
| lieutenant, William III MaufO; third lieutenant,
John Mllls, As compliment 20 our Baltimor,
friends Tho l2th Of september was adopted as "a,
| Anniversary Of the company, -
HE last anniversary september ~ Of the imam
Try was most memOraDy celebrated a. Baltimore m
competitive ann, IN which all the military Organila
tons OF the UptOd btatos were invited 10 compete aui
| Ia which TINS organization, which has reputation
from Bunker I'm 10 the Gate CITY OF the South, tool
the hTtt Prize, which IN this Was the suDslautia
ono OF a. $50 IN cash, An Washing are pTOul
Ut this victory, aud tic fame VI the Light Infantry
| to-day gTsAter than ever before Col. Moore, nj
O1nGers aud men, arc 10 DO congratulated on tins
suit which has gained them the applause Of entir
| B0OUlB,