The Washington critic., 1890-02-06
W. L. |. L.C.'SEARLY DAYS.
APPEARANCE OF THE CAPITAL IN
THE SUMNER OF 1896.
Formation aud Growth of washing
toms Popular Military Organlza-
tlon-Names on the Roll of Onicors
Fifty Years Ago.

tlon-Names on the Roll of onicors
Fifty Years Ago.
AT the meeting OF the Washington
Light Infantry Corps last evening a
letter was read from Mr.. Charles Ebert,
an honorary member, presenting to the
officers and members a copy of an early
painting OF an officer of the organiza.
ton. The picture was discovered in
nm old military publication by Mr..
Ebert during recent visit to New
York and was borrowed for the pur.
pose of reproduction, which was ac-
complisbcd by Captain G. ii. Ouraud
Of the w. l.. |. c. The text, which
accompanied the picture, will be found
interesting:
ICopied from U. i Military Magazine
and Record Of all the Volunteers, together
with the Army and Navy, Vol. l., lS39-40,
Philadelphia, Pa. Published by Huddy &
Duvsl, No. Bank alley, near the Ex-
chaDgel
WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY.
In the summer of 1896 the District OF
Columbia presented an aspect before uu-
known and never anticipated--the seat Of
the General Government, where an i'm
mepsc outlay had been caused in the erec-
ton Of splendid public editices, with au
armory, arsenal aud navy-yard, LETT with
out protection, che small force generally
stationed there having been withdrawn to
Florida, aud a 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
IN linn nrff spon tlnR lint
seeing the necessity of adopting some
measure for their own safety in case of
danger, and that a feeling of security
which well-drilled body of men, COM
pletely armed and ready at mo-
ment's notice, never fails to impart,
might be felt by the citizens. BY
the cxcrtions Of two or three patri-
otic individuals signatures we're obtained
toward the establishment of volunteer
corps, which was formed and organized
under the name OF the Washington Light
Infantry.
Notwithstanding the necessity which ex-
listed for the formation of r company, many
and serious difficulties against 1t had to be
overcome. Public opinion was decidedly
opposed TO IL on the ground that 1t had
ceased TO be an experiment. on account of
the numerous companies which had sprung
into existence within few years and van
ished almost as soon as formed, and they
were led to regard this attempt only as
fifth edition Of what had gone before.
The difficulty Of obtaining arms was like.
wise serious obstacle, the quota allotted
to the District having been more than ex
hausted by being placed In the hands of
companies which preceded us, aud by whom
they were lost or destroyed.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
To repeated applications for them re-
fusal had been given, nor would they have
eventually been obtained but for the serious
apprehension felt by the citizens, and
which were far from grouudless, being
made known to the proper authority
These difficulties, with Others which might
hc mentioned, having been set aside, the
apathy and want of energy which they
naturally impaired to those who at first
were most anxious to form company was
entirely removed, when it was understood
that a military display would be made in
Washington by part of the volunteer
force of Baltimore, to whom an invitation
had been extended by the Washington
Branch Raj road tfor the first time before
or since) of trip to Washington, compli-
mentary 10 them for the prompt and eff
cient aid they had rendered the company
In quelling the disturbances which had
arisen between the laborers on the line
This gave life to our wishes, and, short as
the time necessarily was In which we could
was to take place on the 18th of September
in less than three weeks we were ready to
parade, and did parade on the morning OF
the 18th with forty-five men.
The following were the officers who had
been elected on the 26th of August pre-
vious: Captain, John A. Blake; first Lieu
tenant, X. France; second lieutenant, Vim.
ii. Mauro; third lieutenant, John Mills AS
compliment to our Baltimore friends, the
12th OF September was adopted as the ami
versary of the company.
Since that time our progress has been on
ward, and we have now gained stand,
both In the estimation of the community
and In the material of the corps, which
must insure It's permanence and success.
FIRST EXCURSION.
On the 9th of June, 1887, the company
made its first excursion by visiting Balti
more, where II was received in a manner
not only highly gratifying to every mem
Der, but worthy OF the Monumental City.
In June, 1898, Washington was cnlivened
by the appearance in her streets of volun
teer corps from Norfolk (the Norfolk
Rihemen), who were escorted about by the
Light Infantry.
After their departure, in consequence OF
the fattering and pressing invitations ex-
tended to US by them, we determined, early
in the fall, 10 return their visit, which was
accordingly done, and in September the
company partook of the justly famed hos
pitslity of the Old Dominion.
CHANGE IN THE COMMAND.
In the spring of 1889 Captain Blake re
signed the command Of the company, ant
First Lieutenant Il. France was unani
Dously chosen to succeed him. Unde
Captain France the company determined tt
visit Philadelphia, which they had had fOl
some time In contemplation, and on th,
10th of June they left Washington on th,
morning train, and in the afternoon they
were received into line in Philadelphia
amid an immenec concourse of citizens as
eembled to welcome them. There their re
cepti0n was most hatteriug.
Every thing that the most refined taste
and extended hospitality could suggest wal
done to render their stay In the highest de
gree delightful. Work of art and places o
amusement, which abound In that city
were all thrown open for their inspection
and qualification, and on every hand the.
saw aud felt the welcome, which a gener
GUS and enthusiastic people most cordial,
extended TO them.
This trip forms distinct era in tn
history OF the company, an era which viii
always be referred to by them with graft
tude aud pleasure; and not by the member
of the company only, but by the citizens o
Washington generally, for the reason tina
they esteem IL, not the reception of a vol
unteer corps alone, but the reception o
themselves also, through the Light In
fantry, acting as a sort of Representative
body Of the District.
Several changes have been experienced
by the company, but such changes only a
all volunteer corps must experience; ye
they are now IN a more prosperous condl
tion than ever, numbering at least eight
strong, and still on the increase. The fol
lowing IL the present organization OF tn
corps; Richard France, captain; first lieu
tenant, John Mills; second lieutenant j.
Mexican: auurtermaster 4 CLAYTON