Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-25
blues Retain IDENTITY
AS IN YEARS GONE BY
Transformation From Infantry to
Cavalry Will Not Cost
81 Ancient Name.
MAJOR BowLEs MAKES REPLY
Commander of Organization Wishes
to Dispel Any Doubt That Change
WilI Oblitcratc Noble Career of
Famous Battalion.

u 1.-THE question. VIII the Blues lose
their IDENTIFY has been asked 50 often
Esince the call came on Wednesday last
that 1 am glad OF the opportunity to
make 4 statement" said Major Il. W.
BowleS last night.
THE separate identity Of the Blues
and their privileges under the Dick
lin fact, enlarged under the terms Of
the new Hay Chamberlain bin. Is not
dependent upon their being a separate
infantry unit, but is based solely on
the fact that II has been established
to the satisfaction Of tho War Depart
mont that the Blues have been in
existence since 1888 The privileges
which the organization has enjoyed
organizations which can prove con-
tinuous service since 1892.
'"The change from infantry 20 cav
n1ry will rot affect the organizations
identity and its ancient privileges
under the two bills. but, on tho con-
trary, will more closely serve to con-
tinue that identity by reason Of tho
fact that It will undoubtedly continue
as cavalry, and. inasmuch az tho d.
vision to which tho members belong is
entitled to one squadron of cavalry to
I'LL Ats cavalry complement. It can read
lily be seen that there Is more reason
than ever why the identity and tho
continuous existence of the organiZa-
ton Should not be disturbed.
MAMIE OF BLUES WILL
CONTINUE ALWAYS
"a number of people havo asked
what is to be the name Of the now
organization. 1t matters not whether
we are infantry. cavalry or artillery,
We Shall always he known as the
Richmond Light Infantry Blues, or as
we arc moro often spoken of in recent
years the Richmond Blues. and. fur
,ther, the fact that We are now cavalry
instead of infantry serves only to
change the official designation. In fact,
wo have not, for the last several
decades, been light infantry When
tho Organization was first formed there
was distinction made between light
and heavy infantry. and the Blues were
Rt first known the Richmond Light
Infantry, and. as ia we'll known. wore
uniform with red trimmings. At
the reorganization of the command In
1898, the red trimmings were turned
to blue, and the word Blues added
When, however, there ceased to be an
arm OF the service known as light in
fantry, and the Blues became just in
fantry of the line. uloy did not change
their designation. and as long tho
organization ia continuously in OK
istence as apart of the organized
militia, the Blues will always be In
existence; just as their friends. tho
Grays, arc known unotl! ctn!iy as tho
Richmond Graya and officially as tho
First Battalion. Virginia Infantry. so
we, In future, will be known un-
officially as the Richmond Blues. bu;
officially MS the First Squadron. First
Virginia Cavalry.
Answering tho second question, l
might add that we all realize fully
the difficulties which are in our way,
and that an enormous amount of work
will be required and many difficulties
surmounted before we will be ms eff
ficient in cavalry we were consid-.
cred in infantry. The men In the or
ganization have. realizing that this d.
vision was deficient In cavalry. deter
mined to accept tho opportunity thus
offered of seeing service as special
unit. fully conscious OF the fact that
1T might ta11e consider
able while to really become efficient
cavalry.
BATTALION TO REMAIN
1.-THE RICHMOND BLUES"
"After this service we should certain
ly have q splendidly trained organiza-
ton capable of handing down cavalry
Instructions to future generations OF
Richmond Blues, and, from the govern
nents standpoint st may not be with
out interest to note that had &c been
necessary to call for volunteers for
cavalry not only would there have been
required training in horsemanship and
cavalry tactics, but enormous trouble
would have been experienced IN organ
izing a squadron.
LILO biutS nhNo d Eaou many men
who are accustomed 10 riding. and
now have a squadron organization with
all the commissioned officers elected
and the noucomm!ssioncdo officers APP
pointed, and with q uuartermaster's de-
i partment which has had experience in
. this important department Of military
activity thoroughly organized
LAS the commanding officer Of the
organization. 1 have no hcsitancy---on
tho contrary, have great deal OF
bers and friends OF tho Blues that
the identity of the Richmond Blues
will be continued u must be remcm-