The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-06-07
THE WHITE COATS.
An Ancient and Interesting Body OF
Citizen Soldiers.

The Old Guard of the p. L. L. Observe the
93d neutrality-suspicious. Ranks
but Young Hearts.
The Portland Light Infantry is the old
est continually organized body of citizen
soldiers in Maine. Il was organized in
1903, when those turbulent people in
the east were still a province of Massa-
chusetts-17 lyears before Maine strangled
to the dignity of a sovereign state in
the young republic
The Portland Light Infantry has dis
tinguished history, and none regard it
more highly than the cold Guard
or the "White Coats, as they have been
Familiarity known of late years. Their
ranks are certainly diminishing and the
youngest has passed the half century
mark.
The name of "White Coats is derived
from very expensive and striking uni
form which the company adopted way
back in the fifties. 1t was II rich white
coat, elegantly adorned with golden
eupalettes, bright buttons and tastefully
trimmed in blue and gold. Bright blue
pants with white stripes and lofty black
bearskin hats, after the old style Rus
sian grenadier garb, making each man
look foot taller than he was, gave the
company an exceptionally distinguished
appearance.
In the early history of Portland Light
Infantry as appears by the records and
historians, they rendered faithful service
in the War of 1912 in assisting in garri-
soning the forts erected for the defence
of Portland. In 1889, during the north
eastern boundary embroglio, the P. LII
were prompt to respond to the call OF
the Governor for the militia and marched
to Augusta and reported to Major Gen
the first call for rs, 900 troops issued by
President Lincoln, the infantry was
prompt to respond and sent fine compa-
ny to the field In fact the whole history
of the Portland Light Infantry, whether
as represented by the Veterans of the
sod Guard or the young men who now
compose the "actives'' is bright with
honor in military sense.
A very interesting episode in the his
tory of the Pill was their visit to
Montreal in 1859 A battalion of two
companies of the Queens Guards of the
Canadian, militia, belonging in Montreal,
visited Portland in 1857 by invitation and
were received by our local militia in
fine style. The Canadians encamped in
then open field near the Observatory.
The Pill did guard duty for their en-
campment and otherwise extended en-
tertainment and hospitality. In 1859 in
response to pressing invitations, the In
fantry made return visit to Montreal,
accompanied by Chambers band 25 pieces,
and brilliantly uniformed.
The Pill were the first United States
troops to enter Canada lin time of
peace.
The reception given the Infantry was
something remarkable. The whole city
of Montreal was ready to do them honor.
DECORATIONS were everywhere Streets
were SPAWNED with arches and the stars
and stripes were entwined with the
British national emblems. For three
days rthe L. Pr. were feted. wined and
dined, until they were glad to escape
lest our Canadian cousens should al
most literally kill them with kindness.
The exchange of courtesies between
the chief city of Canada and the Nation
al seaport, - then so recently connected
by railroad was of much commercial as
well as social value But Of all the large
company that went to Montreal in SO,
but 10 are now living and only four of
the musicians led by the veteran band
master D. FL. Chandler
For the observance of the 93d anniver-
sary of the old guard the veterans met
in Monument square yesterday morning
and embarked in Charley Fairfield's new
big blackboard, which comfortably seats
"a people and had a pleasant drive along
the shore road of Cape Elizabeh for five
miles to the Copeland House This is a
new summer resort opened up only a
few weeks ago by Mr.. Geo II. Copeland OF
the famous Massachusetts, family of that
name so noted in catering for the public
The Copeland was a revelation. 1t was
| that fine old mansion of Minot Dyer
transformed into modern seaside hotel
and fitted and furnished in style equal
to anything on the coast. Refined good
taste marked everything about the Cope
| land.
| Then the old guard proceeded by invi-
tation of course, to Ocean Bluff Cottage
| just across the road from the Copeland
The club own most convenient quarters
for seaside summer outings, and is COM
prised of the following well-known gen
tlemen: G. d. Robinson, A T. Smith, VIM.
r. Naylor, Enos Thompson, Sylvanus
Bourne, James Crawford, James White,
j. N Miller, Geo. H. Hanson, VIII Pear
| son.
| Here the old guard quartered. There
are only about 25 of the living: Samuel
Rolfe, John W. Plaisted, John H. Stick
ney John d. Williams, VIII. Roberts,
James A Tenney D. G. Drinkwater Thos