Evening star., 1886-11-06
SOLDIER BOYS IN THE FIFTIEs.
How the Military Spirit Was Manifested
After the Mexican War.
COMPANIES OF BOYS THAT INCLUDED MANY
soLDIERs WHO AFTERWARDS WON DIsTINc-
TIoN-A SENATOR WHO PROPOSED TO ARM
THE BOYS WITH sPELLING-BooKA


was Gen. Horatio c. King, Charles Mallock,
Rev. s. Leech, w. H. II. Reardon, now of New
York, and several who afterwards, entering
larger companies, saw service during the civil
war. They received their first lessons in the
military art when they marched out OF the old
stable on Sth street, above /, with lances of
wood tipped with tin, uniforms consisting OF
black jackets and pants, with temporary stripes
down the seam, and high hat made of paste-
board, covered with black cloth, and decked
with an imprOvised pl1mes That these boys
were well behaved, and not given to rOllicking,
SO common among soldiers, may be inferred
from the fact that pious youth of their num-
Der, who afterwards became q minister, opened
every meeting, whether preparatory to q
parade or business, with prayer.
THE UNION INFANTRY.
Among the companies following this was one
composed for the most part of pages and other
employees OF Congress which was orgnanized
January 9th, 1854, at the residence of the par
ents OF w. T. Laselle on b street, between I'd
and 3rd streets northwest. Tnis organization
took the name of the Union Infantry. Among
the members Of this company were some who
ion Rifles, National Rifles, and went into ac-
s'ds saa sses Ss the the eonsasl Sase
was. as expressed in the constitution, "to en-
courage military spirit In the youth OF the
city and make them capable of defending their
hresides." A uniform was adopted OF dark
blue jacket and pants with sky blue facings,
dark blue cap, with sky blue band bearing a
WIcdtu Win tuc lcItGTS ~. i. on GQ0 T..
Armed with small musnets the company made
a fine appearance. Tine memo were more
nearly OF uniform size, perhaps, than those
OF any military organization OF the District
the regulation requiring that no member
should measure less than five ieet nor more
than five feet TWO inches.
SPELLING BOOKS AND NOT RIFLES.
Shortly alter the Organizatio the question of
how .oprocure arms was discussed, and Senator
A. G. Brown, OF mississippi, as a friend of the
boys, offered a resolution in the Senate direct
ing the Secretary Of War to furnish the boys
with carbines. MIR. Hale, OF New Hampshire,
moved to strike out carDines and insert Web
ster's spelling books, remarking that the minds
OF the boys needed development rather more
than their muscles. This remark carried the
resolution under the table, but Mr.. Hale, who
was always a friend to the employees, aided
them by subscription, and the muskets were
procured, being made TO order by VIM. Huson,
OF New York. Among the contributors were q
friend president Piercel, JEFF Davis, Secretary
oi War; Isaac Toucy, Secretary of the Navy;
Capts. j. L. Peck, j. u. Davis, Reese and others,
OF the District military.
The muskels procured were neat pieces of
the United States pattern, with barrels 80
inches long, carrying 20 balls TO the pound,
DayOnet IL inches, and brass mounted. These
were placed in the armory OF the Washington
Light Infantry, then at the corner OF 9th street
P. Laselle, captain; John NJ. Wilson, j. M. .Kavac
naugh and Theodore y. Chestney, lieutenants
A. II Ragan, ensign afterwards second lieuL),
ana Robert Mayo, orderly sergeant.
THE FIRST PARADE
was on February 7th, 1854, when a visit was
made to the Green Mountain Boys a company
of youths near the navy yard, commanded by
year, the boys gave ball at what was then
Carusis saloon, now Kernan's theater, which
was magnificent success, and proved the boys
to be very popular.
Laselle, (sister OF the captain. now Mrs. Pres
toni, with her friends, Misses E. D., F. g., w. S.
fine handmade SILK United States flag. with an
eagle painted by MIR. Charles P. Sengstack,
whose son was In the company. This was to
have been formally presented, but before the
day arrived the company made a parade and
the flag was placed In the hands OF Mr.. Raglan
without iormality. This flag is yet in existence,
the stripes In good state Of preservation, but
the painted eagle has rotted out.
STRINGENT MILITARY LAW.
From the books and papers OF the company it
would appear that the members, besides learn
Ing the manual OF arms, had an opportunity to
learn the practice OF military courts, for there
were held frequently courts of inquiry and
cOurLs-martial. Smoking, chewing tobacco
and entering restaurants In UNIFORM were
suspensions and disInssals were the sentences
imposedin various cases. In one case In 1855
sergeant was arraigned before court and
an aged relative with whom he was living
learned that he was being tried went before the
court and begged II he was convicted not to
hang hs,ag him ~ ike felon but shoot him like a
soldier. he, however, got OF with sentence
OF reduction TO the ranks tor three months
and u fine OF 81.
company by Mr.. ChesIney, who was the most
strenuous advocate Of the name. He after
wards, while serving in the National Rifles
Captain Schaffer seeded In 1861, went over
,ns lines and subsequently served In the con-
iedeIate army. There he rose TO the rank OF
assistant adjutaEt general
SOME OF THE MEMBERS
The captain of the company is now Gen, w.
p. Laselle, well known member of the bar of
this city, who enlisted as a private in the 9th
Indiana regiment and served during the war,
close. The lieutenants were Col. John
N. Wilson, who subsequently graduated
At West Point. served during the war,
Of the public buildings and grounds:
John ID. Kavanaugh, Tor many years clerk In
Chestney, who went south In 1861, rose to the
rank OF colonel and A. A. g., and is now living
IN Alabama. The ensign was Mr.. A. II.
in consequences OF the resignation OF Lieut.. vii
son. Robert Mayo was the first orderly sergeant
and subsequently with the seeding portion Of
the National Hi1es went south and was living
IN Richmond. among others on the roll were
Osfsola Alexander, 2 well,known printer; q.
=; hr0wningi now OF Prince Georges county.
the Presidents Mounted Guard and q member
OF the Washington Rifles In the three months
a. captain in the three months service and as
an ofhcer OF the second District regiment
during the war: Frank G. Cosby. who entered
II. G. Bradford, son Of Capt. Bradford, OF Ken.
lucky, who was ensign for some time and died
afterwards promising young member Of the
bar here, now deceased; J. B Houston, now
prominent In railway matters and q
resident Of New York; D. D. Leech, corre-
sponding clerk Of the Smithsonian Institution;
s. 8: Thomas. atterward OF the u, g. army; w
w. Writ, afterward major Of the Presidents
Mounted Guard. and OF the quartermasters de-
Among others in the corps were: j. J. Cantine.
!; G; Clark, George 7: Howard. JOS. Hoffman,
y; ID kePpier, Geo, King, E. J. Laderty, L. r.
". +. Peabody. James II. Patterson, john
Richsy, w. W. Reynolds, L. Kemp Longstock,
randolph Stewart b. +. Scrivner, e. SIubiug,
james = Tucker, Jacob Wagner: John Wells
Good Night
To the Editor ofTHE EVENING srAs:
The last stanza Of Mr.. b. g. Lovejoy's bsauti-