The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-01
ADJUTANT- GENERA[
STANDS BY BLUES
Opposed to Any Plan by Which
Local Battalion Would
Lose It's Identity.
FIVE NEW COMMANDS
Thinks Matter Can BE Arranged
So That All Branches May
Be Satisfied.

Il have been lighting tho battles of
the Bluos over since I have been In
Office" said Adjutant General w. w
Sale yesterday. Il am and have been
opposed to any plan which will cause
that battalion to lose it's distinctive
character and historic associations
Tho people of Virginia do not desire
any amalgamation which would lose
the distinctive features or charactcris-
ties of this organization Only AK
last resort would l consent to have
the Blues assigned to one Of the regi-
ments. and then II would only be n
temporary measure until additional
companies could be formed"
General Sale explained that shortly
after he took Office objection was made
from certain quarters to the plan Of
continuing the Blues as separate
battalion certain people holding that
IT was given privileges to which IL was
Questioned Right to Uniform.
When IT was shown that the Dick
law distinctly provided for the sep
arate maintenance of commands hav-
ing had Il continuous service since
l7?2. the question was raised as to
whether the Blues had had a contin-
uous existence as claimed, and il mem
bers OF the command were, therefore,
entitled to wear a distinctive uniform
The records arc not very clear as to
the actual existence OF the Blues dur
1t appears that members OF a single
company held meetings at intervals
Then came proposition from the
war Department to the effect that as
Virginia has no organized Coast Artil-
lery, and had an extra battalion of
militia not assigned to the brigade
the Blues he made over into a battery
OF Coast Artillery. General Sale OPP
posed this. and after Il time /; was
dropped.
Need Five More Companies.
More recently, without direct ref
erence to the Blues. the War Depart
nent has issued a circular to the effect
that the three regiments composing
the First Brigade must be recruited to
twelve companies each. The First Vir-
ginia Regiment. which has battalion
OF four companies in Richmond. under
Major L. I. Price has twelve compa-
MES, with regimental headquarters in
Staunton. The Second Regiment lacks
three companies of the required mum
Der. and the Fourth Regim lacks
two companies There is now M
Third Regiment. Major Stanley w.
Martin and other officers Of the Vir-
sinia militia. have urged that this sit
uation he met by making the Blues
battalion a component part of one OF
the regiments. General. Sale said he
was opposed TO this. The State fnw
provides for three full regiments and
one separate battalion of infantry
~ ann at any Icss number, he
thought. was step backward Steps
are being taken to organize the I'VE
needed companies as soon AS possible
three having already been partly or
gani2ed, and General Sale is confident
that all five VIII be organized by Jan
uary /, the date set by the War De-
partmcnt for bringing the regiments
up TO the required strength
am in favor" said General Sale
ot orsanizing i've new companies In
me state In sections now remote from
military organizations AS an auxiliary
TO the police and local constnbulory
IL Is desirable to have military com
nanies scattered in all sections OF the
State. '
III we show evidences Of good faith
IN the formation of the now companies.
IL may be that the War Department
VIII give US an extension of time IL
we are unable to make any other ar
rangement 1t may be necessary for a
snort Time to assign the Blues Bat
.niioh 10 inc Second Regiment until
raised" 'e
would Give Chance of Promotion
NIihtary men say that as matter
Oh fact II would make little difference
we're the Blues to be assigned to one
or the regiments. Being complete
battalion, with an armory of its own
us major would continue in command
as now, and the distinctive features or
INC organization could be continued.
Aoout the only differences would be
'hat orders would come through bril-
gaze and regimental HEADQUARTERS in
stead or from the Adjutant- General
uirect: and that officers of the Blues
battalion. who have now no promotion
20 look forward to beyond the rank
81 o., major would be in line for promo
tion to regimental or brigade com
manders.
would require a complete rear
ranScinent Of the entire State Infantry
ana new assignment of companies to
e,ilehts 10 carry out the suggestion
OF Major Martin OF placing tl,a Di,,o
IN the First Regiment. making eight
com panics OF that regiment in Rich
mond The First Regiment, under
coroner Perry. already has it's full
quota OF twelve companies