The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-07

of the third
oldest volunteer company in the United
States have looked forward with pride and
pleasure 10 the time when the hand
somest military body in the Old Domin-
ion would do honor TO her past career
by celebrating in a manner BETTING the
occasion the one hundredth anniversary
OF her existence. The time has arrived,
and the details Of the festivities have
been arranged with that taste and com
pleteness for which the company has al
ways been known.
Richmond looks back with pride upon
The past career Of the Blues. Men whose
names have been synonyms of CHI
airy. honor and heroism have led the
company into the thick Of the fray. and
brave sons OF the Old Dominion have
marched to the very brink Of the cannon
under her victorious flag. Her members
have suffered hardships. defeat and
death Humiliation or disgrace, never.
Her future too, is as bright as her
past is memorable. Though the storm
clouds Of several wars have swept over
her forces and struck down in the midst
Of brilliant military careers many Of
those who proved an honor TO their
country. and an inspiration TO their
comrades, she still stands as a peer
among military organizations, chival-
rous in time of peace. answering in
the duties Of true soldiery, and ever will
Ing and ready to step upon the scene Of
turmoil and strife for the protection Of
her friends, her country and her citizens
rights.
on public and festive occasions the
Blues have always attracted general at
tention They are an excellently drilled
body, and skilled in al the movements
of military tactics There is a certain
uniformity of appearance and unity Of
action about the company which few,
If any other, military companies have.
On occasions Of public fesuvity the
handsome uniforms, picturesque hats
and general bearing of the men never
fail TO be the subject Of much comment,
and no wonder that Richmond should
feel proud Of the Blues. with their gior-
ious past, their honorable presence and
their encouraging future. They are
fine body Of men, and they number their
friends by the thousands, those hand
some, chivalrous, soldierly fellows. whose
name and achievements have been so
closely identified with the brilliant mill
tary record Of the Army Of Northern
Virginia.
The Richmond Light Infantry Blues is
(Which has been in continued service) In
the United States. Like the moscow
cred bucket, reVered for its age, IL is
now cherished for its antiquity and as
the young green moss grows healthy upon
the old bucket, so the youth of this
city. who have taken the places Of the
ancient of other days, put forth their
vigorous limbs. renewing the life of the
old stock and keeping alive the spirit Of
former times.
The First Record.
The date of the formation Of the COM
pany cannot be precisely ascertained.
The register of the company officers In
the service of the State prior TO the
year 1893 has been lost, and the earliest
record of the company has its date about
the latter end Of that year, but sufficient
evidence has been gathered to establish
the fact that the company existed sew
eral years prior TO that time. George
Witt and Zalma REFINE were the last
OF that noble band that reformed the
company. The former was one OF the
Oldest and most respectable citizens Of
Richmond, and the latter a worthy resi-
dent Of Baltimore. Mr.. Witt was the
secretary of the company in 1898 and Mr..
REFINE its second corporal. BY these two
gentlemen it has been ascertained that
the company was in existence prior 10
1893, probably since 1888 or 1889.
At the commencement Of the organiza-
ton its uniform consisted Of scarlet coats
with white trimmings, but, in conse-
quence of the prejudice then existing TO
the uniform, but few could be induced
10 become members, and IT was a great
struggle TO keep the company in exist
ence. In April. 1898, it was reduced TO
about twenty men, and had not many
public-spirited citizens determined 10
make an effort to sustain it, the company
would have been disbanded.
AT the instance OF these citizens a meet
ing of the company was held, and IT
was decided 10 discard the scarlet coat
and TO adopt the blue coat trimmed with
white in its stead. AS soon as this deter
mination was known, upwards of sixty
of the most respectable citizens of Rich
mond became members. a new election
of officers took place by consent Of the
old members. and the whole corps was
thoroughly reorganized William Rich
ardson, the first captain of the company
was reelected, and other officers neces-
sary TO complete the organization were
chosen as follows: George Richardson.
lieutenant; Robert Mccartney, ensign;
Alexander Yuille, first sergeant: John
Dunsmore, second sergeant; James Cron-
ley, third sergeant; Manuel judah, fourth
sergeant; Francis Hyland, first corporal !:
Zalma REFINE, second corporal; Henry
Ball, third corporal; James Warden,
fourth corporal; George Watt. secretary.
AT this period the name Of the company
was the Richmond Light Infantry" but
after the change of the coat from red TO
blue they were called 1.-THE Blues" and
this name seems TO have been added 10
the other by general consent.
The Anniversary Fixed.
On the first Monday Of May, 1898. the
company paraded with siXty-two men.
and in a short time their numbers in
creased TO upwards OF eighty. From the
Militia Register, in the Executive Depart
ment OF State IL appears that the officers
elected the preceding months We're COM
missiOned on the 10Th of May. and. this
being the first date on record when the
existence of the corps was recognized
By the State, the 10th of May has been
selected as it's anniversary. For many
years this day has been kept as a day
OF festivity, when the old friendships
are renewed and strengthened, old scenes
talked over and revived, when the old and
honorary members meet with the new
and keep alive the esprit du corps, :"
so essential 10 the preservation Of all
military companies. 1t is pleasant TO
listen TO the story and the song, and 10
Join In the merry laugh over the glad
some tales OF other days. This is the
day. too. when the company practices its
target fxiny. on which accession q silver