Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-09-11

The Old Light Infantry Corps to Cele.
brate Their Semi.Centennial.
MEETING OF THE SURVIVORS LAST EVENING
AND THE ARRANGEMENTS CoMPLETED-soME
ACCOUNT OF THE CORPS IN THEIR EARLY
YEARS.

A number of surviving members of the old
Light Infantry corps VINO were borne on the
rolls from 1886 to 1851 met last evening at the
Light Infantry armOry to make arrangements
for the celebration of the semi-centennial Of the
organization of the corps. The following were
present, the dates indicating the year they
Joined the corps: Capt. F. A. Tucker and John
II. Thompson, 1886; w. Boron, 1897; James T..
Boisseau, 1888; b. +. Beers, 1874; Capt NJ F.
Fisher and /. F. Mudd. 1916; Isaac Beers and
James A. Sheehan, 1850; Capt. James Coleman,
1858; James NJ. Padgett and VIM. f. Dant,
1852; John Sanderson, Charles 2. p. Wroe ana
A. ID. Cannon, 1858; Sergeant w. f. Morgan,
Philip NJ. OBryon and Sergeant Major George
L. Bassett, 1859; Capt. w. n. Dalton, 1860.
Twenty-Five years; Z. w. Davis aud George
kahi, 1861.
The meeting organized with James T. Boisseau
as chairman ana W. T.. Morgan secretary.
1t was decided to celebrate by q parade on
the aiternoon vi next Monday, as the anutxer-
sary ,i iaiis on sunday, the 12ih instant. The
ioiiowing were appointed a committee on ar
rangemen;s: Capt; +: Tucker, NJ. T. Fisher,
James Coleman. W. n. Dalton aud Lieut. W.
the occasion will assemble at tie armOry at
half past five O'Clock sharp Monday after
noon, wearing dark hats and carry
ing canes, and those VINO have badges and de-
sire to wear them can do So. Col. Lem Towers
as captain aud Capts. Fisher aud Coleman as
lieulenants, will be the officers OF the day.
walk will be in carriages. The procession will
be headed by the Third Artillery baud.
THE LINE OF MARCH.
The line of march will be as follows: From
the armory to Pennsylvania avenue, passing
east on the south side Of which to :srd street.
countermarchiny thence on the north side OF
the avenue TO Stn street, passing up 9th to
Mount Vernon place, passing by the residence
of Col. Lem Towers, tncnce " Sth, to l. street.
thence west TO 10th, to h, to 18TH street re-
turning To the armory.
An order 10 this elect was issued by COL W.
q. Moore, the commanding officer OF the pres
ent Light Infantry organization, aud w. ii.
Harrison, first lieutenant and adjutant, which
was accepted by the veterans.
Inc musicians ot iorty years ago will ap0sar
in line-Drum Major Mackey, ftopcrt Jordan
and William Brown. These gentlemen are yet
able to render aeceptably the Old :" LsnL In-
fantry March, otherwise known as Light Up ~
popular tune forty years ago.
THE HISTORY OF THE CORPS.
From the beginning Of the century Washing
ton had been famous tor its volunteer military
companies. In 1886, however, from some uu-
accountable reason. there was not . single mil
itary organization i'll the district. Even the
Washington Cadets, commanded by CAPT w
w. Moore Gather Of Col. Moore, OF the present
w. L.. /. corps, di>banded. The Washington
branch OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad was
being built to tins city, and the Baltimore vol
unteer companies having, during the riots on
the road, rendered valuaDle service were prom.
iSed a free excursion on the opening OF tine road
About the middle of August word was received
here that the railroad would he COMPLETED and
the Baltimore volunteers would visit the city
on September 12tn. AT that time the stores OF
Ii. Turns, JOhn Mills and Mr.. Young (Iatner of
A. II. Young) were located on the present site OF
the Vernon building, 1Otn street and
together and discussed the need Oi a military
company To receive the visitors, and finally il
was decided 10 call a public meeting Two
meetings were held there and the thru meet
ing at the Masonic hail, now the Bradley buiid.
ing, opposite the court house. The officers
.tAAA Holm
Richard France, Jonn Mills and Brevet
Second Lieut.. VIM. Mauro. Among the
scrseants were James T. Mckean, tor many
years lieutenant OF the corps. John Ii.
Thompson, who still survives, was among the
corp0rals, and Capt. +. A. Tucker afterwards OF
the National Blues, was in the Ranks.
HOW THEY LOOKED FIFTY YEARS AGO
The uniform adopted was high silk hat.
with white flowing plume, silver front and
visor: blue dress coat with silver lace trim.
mings, and buttons, and light blue pants with
Whine stripe. The day tinany arrived and the
company. engaging tue Marine band, paraded
with about O4 musketS aud received the Wis
ttOrs and escorted them W the Capitol and
through the city to Carusi's saloon, where a
the military. Here the company mad a lore
taste OF lhe hardships OF u soldiers liie They
guarded the arms Oh The visitors stacked in the
street, and wnen their time came To walk in to
dinner Lney were obliged to escort the visitors
back ~ the cars, and Lnus lost their dinners
Capt. Blake heid command till 1889, and
Capt. France succeeded him, having for his
lieutenants James +. Mexican, John Mills and
Nathan Hammond. Capt. France resigned in
1S44, aud for Iour years Lieut. Commanding
Joseph b. Tate was the senior officer. aud WAS
elected captain In 1S4S. Gen. E. Z. CarringUon
succeeded him in 1858, holding the command
about . year, when Cot. James Y. Davis was
elected captain. A lew years before the war
the command became q battalion under Col
Davis; Captain Lem Towers and z. NJ. DubanI
being the commanders Of companies A aud B.
and subsequently Company c, Capt. r. C.
Stevens, Was formed, anu Company u, Wash
ington Zouaves, Capt. John 1yier Powell It
pany A was formed, whicn entered the service
0f the United States on April 1Oth, 1881, win
Col. Towers Us captain.