The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-20
BLUES FEAR ORDER
TO JOIN REGIMENT
War Department Considering
Abolition of Separate
Battalion.
CRACK COMMAND TREMBLING
Doesn't Want to Lose Identity.
Might Organize Richmond
Regiment.

1t has become known in Richmond
that the War Department has under
consideration an order directing that
the Richmond Light Infantry Blues
cease to be Il separate battalion, and
be attached to one of the regularly
organized Virginia regiments. No
formal order has been issued. but It
would not be surprising ii it should
be forthcoming
Naturally. the Blues arc very much
averse to any such move. They pre-
fer to retain their identity as an in
dividual command. rather than to lose
IT in Il regiment. where they would
simply become a battalion within other
ranks. There IS opposition 10 the ex-
tent that in the event the War De-
partment acts. protest may be made
Reasons For Chnngc.
Tho reasons for the contemplated
acton are not very clear and the
Blues do not fully understand them In
some quarters It Is believed the re-
commedation came from the inspector
instructor who has been on outs with
the Virginia Volunteers while others
attribute 1t to the ycarnlngs of in
dividual ambition
Among the arguments heard 4,
reference To the recommendation IN
one that the Blues have declinod IN
take part in joint manoouvtos. When
an the Virginia infantry was ordered
to gettysburg two years ago. there
were so many demands for fiIrlourb
that it became evident not even
company OF the battalion could be
gathered together. ana the entire com
nand was finally excused by Governor
Mann.
Again the battalion asked to be ex-
cused from attendance on tho ioint
manoeuvre camp which was held a,
MI Gretna. Pa this year This re-
quest was also granted.
Don't Like Joint Camps.
on this pointSit is Understood the
oihcers Of tho Blues feel thai tbn,.
niue out OF manoeuvre camps.
Where the men crc merely moved
ABOUT at Wall without knowing where
they are going. what they are doing
or without seeing anything that rotns
ior them any practical knowledae %
tho movements OF troops. If m. ,5a.
Is to instruct the officers. thov ~,
me same result could BE- accomolis,..5
ny having them command reqn;sr
lens. ''7 pro-
The officers camps Of instruction
NV neia regularly in Virginia are
IesaFoed as most valuable and sum
clent LOT this purpose AS for Inc
ehlisted men, it is said thev learn
nothing In joint camps except makinr
camp ana pitching tents. and this thev
leHrn In the state camps held eve-,.
alternate year. ana which the Blu.s
are always willing TO attend Last
r. the battalion was encainped a,
Basic city
potent reason FOR not going 10
At' Gretna this year was tho invita-
iion extended the battalion TO vist
the friends Of tho command in Nv
England in September. a trim 10 v.b,cb
an the members have been looking
ioswH with delight all the wear.
Most or the men would have been un-
able TO secure two HOLIDAYS during
the snmmer and, had they gone To
Mt Grctna would have Obliged 10
foreeo the other trip
Department Looks Askancc.
But It is said the war Department.
feels that tho Blues ought to comply
with the orders TO attend the Joint
/ camps. ana that they are missing OPP
/ portun!ties Tor instruction which is
, contemplated in the APPROPRIATIONS
made for this purpose
The members of tho battalion think
Governor Mann would side with them
/ against any attempt to lose their
! identity wi;h regiment
{ Should such an order bo issued ana
enforced IT is supposed the result
would ne regiment OF volunteers in
+ Richmond. composed Of tho four com
panies or Biues and the four OF the
! First Regiment now in existence here
There nigh; also be added the com
panies lin Petersburg Ffedcricksburg
ANA Chase city In that event. the
reginental headquartcrs would in all
likelihood Doe In this city Tho result
would he reimbursement Of all the
existing fesnnents. Then too II
would seem that the two armories
would nave 20 bc used jointly or else
that new asmory might in time be-
come rccessa.y.
Considerahle agitation exists among
tile members of the Blues and there
is much fear that the War Depart
mont may act