The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-07
FOR THE TOEK RTTER.
The X. l.. I. Blnes Are Once More
Called Out.


In the following year the Blues were
again called out in consequence OF the
information received by the Executive OF
the State, that the British fleet. then I'm
Chesapeake Bay had been reinforced, and
that from the demonstrations Of some OF
these ii was believed that the fleet would
ascend the York River with view TO
disembark at the White House and march
against the city Of Richmond
The Executive determined at nee 10
dispatch light corps of 700 or 500 men
10 prevent the landing OF the enemy and
10 watch their motions.
Colonel Thomas Mason Randolph was
selected 10 command this corps. They
were styled the First CORPS D'Elite brig
ade Of Virginia militia, and mustered in
the service of the United States. The
RichmOnd volunteers, comprising a part
of this corps. consisted Of a company Of
flying artillery" which had Just been
raised. and was commanded by Captain
William Writ; a company OF rifemen,
commanded by Captain William II. Rich
ardson, and the Richmond Light Infantry
Blues. The latter were mustered into ser
vice on August 25 1914, and consisted OF
107 men, 10 commissioned and non-com-
missioned officers. 50 privates. and band
OF musicians. Captain William Murphy
was :hen in command Of the company
The line Of march was taken up the same
day. and the men were in the best spirits.
Pleasures of Camp Life.
The State was wholly Jnprovided with
camp equipase, and the company went
into service without a tent or any other
necessary camp utensils on the third
day OF the march Worronigh church was
reached. where the company was TO be
stationed. Most of the privates, for want
Of other accommodations, were quartered
in the church The officers and a few
squads Of men constructed bush tents
around the church, where they remained.
encountering rain and mud, for nearly
ten days. About this time the tents
and provisions were furnished by the
State much to the relief of the men, who
had suffered greatly by the exposure OF
sleeping on the damp ground. with their
clothes thoroughly saturated with water.
a good deal of sickness broke out. and
quite a number became dangerously Ill.
Among the latter were Captain William
Murphy. Lieutenant John G.. Gamble and
Ensign John Ct. Blair Of the Blues.
1t was soon ascertained that the hostile
feet had made no progress up the river,
and no other demonstrations having been
made, all cause Of alarm ceased. and the
company was ordered home. They re-
were mustered out on the following day.
Thus ended a disagreeable campaign,
which, however. served to demonstrate
the readiness Of the men TO endure Ia
tigue and encounter danger.
Celebrating the Anniversary.
The first detailed report on record OF
the celebration of the anniversary OF the
Blues is that of May 10, 1854, when the
company as sixty. one years old. The
company on that day assembled early in
the morning. in command Of Captain
John NJ Patton, Jr., and participated In
a drill with the regiment, under Colonel
August, in the rear OF the Fair grounds.
At the close OF the drill the Blues march
ed TO Buchanan's Spring, wheSe the day
was properly celebrated. Among the in
vited guests are mentioned the following:
Lieutenant Churchill OF the Boston Ca
diets. Lieutenant Murphy OF the Phila-
delphia Washington Grays. Senator Bald
win, Hon. John NJ. Bolts. Hon. John NJ.
Patton, Colonel August. Colonel Harri-
son, Colonel Bigger. Colonel Pickett,
Robert NJ. Burton. principal engineer Of
the Richmond Fire Department; c. w.
Purcell, Thomas II. Roberts. Beverly
Blair. Charles Workman, Major Seldom
OF the United States Army, Captain
Moore Of the Montgomery Guard. s. d.
De1oon. T. w. Dudley. ]. v. Hardwicke.
Thomas Tyrss. Joseph H Crenshaw> r