Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-12

ing.-First lieutenant. p. j. DIffy;firSt sergeant
II. BeaIl; second sergeant. W. L. Wise; third
sergeant. G. W. EggieSton; cOrporals. F.. Woltz
S g. Wise. G. ". Billings. G. F. Dietrich:
pTiyateG. II. F.. Amos J. +. Arundel 6. +. Brad
ford. o. Cissci. g. ". Claryoe. II. II. Cole. G.
J. Davis, W. I. Davis. A. f. Dennis. W. A.
Freitag w. +. Hewitt, J. c. Hollins. f. A.
keyser. W. A. Linton. j. f. Mattcrn. A.
Murray. J. b. Moulden, r. A. Parkhurst j. n.
Pollard +. F. Riggs j. A. Roche. w. Scott. J.
W. Sellhausen. O. V. ShOnO, II. II. SkippOn
|. S Smith, N. c. Stevens &. II. Tucker J. c.
Walker Il. L. Yates, X. II. Yates and J. A.
Baxter.
Interesting "reminiscences.
THE INFANTRY PRIOR TO AND DURING THE WAR.
One of the original members of the old Infantry
organization gave a STAR reporter some inter
esting particulars ofthe early history of the In
tantry. Capt. ". W. Moore the father of the
present popular commander of the Infantry,
had. prior to 1886, when the Infantry was first
organized. commanded company called the
National Cadets, composed largely of printers
and bookblndtrs. and this company ceaSng to
exist number of its members. in the early part
of 1896. formed a new organization, which took
the name Of the Washington Light Infantry.
Mr.. John A. Blake, who had been the first SER
geant OF the Cadets, was the captain. Richard
France. VIM. MauiO and John Mills the eutefl-
ants, DIR. Joseph BorrOws surgeon, and James
2. Mexican first sergeant The uniform adopted
was that OF tie regular infantry at that time.
The first parade was made on the 18th of Sep
TENDER. 1886. when the Infantry, not being fully
uniformed paraded with Onc-half of the men
dressed in white Jackets and pants and the other
in uniform. to receive the Baltimore troops,
who came over ON the occasion of the opening
OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to this city.
The first trip made by the infantry from this
city was to Baltimore in June. 1887. when they
paraded 100 men and took with them the Ma
rine band. They were heartily welcomed by
the Baltimoreans. given the freedom of the city
and for three days they had what might be said
to be "a high old time" They were quartercd
at the General Wayne Inn, in that city. break
fast was served them during their stay. in what
was then the woods, but now is the site of the
Union depot in that city.
A CHANGE OF UNIFORM.
From time to time the company changed the
style of hat but retained the uniform first adopted
till they were mustered into the service in 1861,
and many we'll remember the splendid appear
ance of the corps when wearing the hat with
metal sunburst and visor and white drop plume.
At one time the Infantry tad a fine band at
tached to it led by Prof. MarcOetti. number OF
members of which are yet are living. Capt.
Richard France succeeded Capt Blake, then
Capts. James =. Mexican. Joseph B. Tate, F. c..
Darlington, and James Y. Davis, afterwards
colonel.) About 1853 the number had Increased
to such an extent that a battalion was formed
Capt. Davis having command as colonel and the
two companies commanded by Capts. Lem
Towers afterwards cOloneD and Peter NJ.
Dubant. Subsequently third company was
formed. commanded by Capt b. Hail. Under
the battalion organization in July, 1860, they
went into camp at Fort Washington for three
days. Other companies were added till at the
commencement Of the war.
The Light Infantry battalion, under Col.
Davis. took part in the first inaugural process
sion Of Mr.. Lincoln, and carried that day forty
rounds Of ammun;tiOn-the muskets loaded
with ball and buckshOt. They were fully pre-
pared for an emergency should it have arisen.
IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.
On the 9th Ct April, 1861, an order was issued
by Gen. r. c. Weightman, commanding the Dis
trct of Columbia militia, directing the battalion
to assemble which was obeyed. The inspector
general, Col. Charles p. Stone, afterwards Gen.
Stone and Stone Bey, of Egyptian fame. made q
short address to the men, stating that President
Lincoln desired from the battalion a company
of one hundred men, This number at once vol
unteered, and on the following day were mus
tered in, Capt. afterwards cOlOneD Towers, of
company A, in command. and James Coleman
afterwards captain) the orderly sergeant. Com
rany A was mustered in, in such haste. 1t is
said that there no limit to their term and
1t lfad not been determined what duty to assign
them. After muster the company was marched
back to the armory, then on Pennsylvania ave-
nue., near 10th street, and the next night details
were made from it to gnard the White House
and the War and Navy departments, which ser
vice was performed till the 10Th of April.
On that day Captain Towers was ordered to
seZe the steamers of the Southern Mail line
lying at the wharves and take them to the navy
yard and report for armament. The infantry,
with company (zouaves) then commanded by
Captain John Tyler Powell, who had succeeded
Colonel Ellsworth, performed this duty. On