Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-15

CAPT. CHILOs. members OF the organizu-
ton, SO much SO that he was unanimously se-
lected for the position recently vacated by the
resignation of Capt. W. Bruce Gray. Capt.
Childs is partner in the firm of Childs Son,
brick mauufact urers. and he viii! give the corps
the advantage OF his practical business training
and energy, which he possesses in such a
marked degree.
Capt Guilds is also captain Of America Com
mandery, No. 3. Knights of the Golden Eagle,
In this city and Appointment member Of the
Masonic fraternity.
THE HISTORY OF THE CORPS
The history of the Washington Light Infan-
try in ashington has to a large measure been
tbs history Of the citizen militia here. 1t is
probably the Oldest military body here. dating
back 70 1896. The first parade of company A,
Washington Light Infantry. was made Sep
TENDER II, 1886, and the officers then were.
John A. Blake, captain; Richard Ftance. first
lieutenant; John Mills, second lieutenant; VIM.
Mauro. third lieutenant; Joseph Burrows. sur
geOn. and James z. Mexican. quartermaster
The company hoarished, maintained the in
terest OF Its members, became highly popular
in the community, and was subsequently, COM
manded by Capt James A. TAFT and Can't.
afterward Col. James I. Davis.
At the breaking out OF the war of the rebel
lion the material of which this organization
was then composed il evidenced from the fact
thar nearly all the members remained loyal to
the Union. In fact the Light Infantry Der
formed its full share CT noble service during
that unhappy period, and was the earliest
militia organization mustered into the United
States service for the nations defense. the rec
ords Of the War Department showing that COM
pany A. W. l. l., Capt. l.. Williams. was mus
tered into service April 10, 1861. This proves
that the Infantry were the first volunteers
to respond to the call to arms and that
this petriosism was not confined TO company
ID made manifest by the fact that on April ~,
1861, the Infantry left Washington as q bat
TALON under d three months enlistment. Their
first duty was il guarding the Chain and Long
bridges and generally the approaches to the
city, and to their promptncss III volunteering
and fidelity in service may be attributed tine
safety of the national capital in the early DAYS
Of the war. The majority Of the members, after
being discharged at the expiration OF their
three months term. re-enlisted in other regi-
mcnts, and served calamity to the close of the
war, some OF them ending their lives upon the
field OF battle.
After the war was over. although the Wash
ington Light Infantry still existed as body.
the surviving members gradually withdrew and
the organization almost passed away. In 1871
however, reorganization was effected. A
number OF energetic young men waited upon
leading men and citizens, who promised sub
staniial aid TO the undertaking and an or
ganiZation Was effected. company being OIL
cered as follows: Captain, WIN. u. Moore; first
lieutenant, L. c. Lewis; second lieutenant,
and first sergeant. VI. p. Fisher.
The company psraded on the Fourth Of July
OF that year, and the military fever became
epidemic in the District. number OF CON-
panies being speedily organized, both by whites
and colored men. Tho Light Infantry quickly
became a battalion, three other companies
being organized with little delay, and under
the following officers: Company q. Capt. j.
W. Mcknight: company ID, Capt. Il. c. Lewis,
who lett company TO assume command OF
that body, and company G, Capt. I. J. Luttreii.
Soon after the other Of the various companies
tnbanded. until Col. Moore and his company,
A, wero alone left to keep up the dignity of the
national capital This company held its own,
however, and from year to year grew In eff
cheney, Is far ~ military tactics goes, and in
the confidence and esteem OF the community
by the courtesy and geutlemanly bearing of its
ofhcers and members.
After lapss the Infantry again grew into a
battalion and in 1887 was mustered into the
National Guard ~ the first battalion. The CON-
mand By their dexterity in drill and uniform
gentlemanly behavior has made an enviable
record eos itsslf al over the country.