Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-14
BLUES READY FOR DUTY,
WHEREVER IT MAY LEAD
II Famous Richmond Organization Is
Disrupted, Men Say They Will
Grin and Bear 1t.
FRIENDS AT HOME ARE ACTIVE
Delegation That Visits Washington
Given Every Assurance Identity
OF Command Will BE Preserved, IL
PossibIe-Up to General Duval.

While discouraged over the prospect
sorbed and split up In a national
artillery brigade. members Of the
First Squadron. First Virginia Cavalry.
formerly the Richmond Light Infantry
Blues. have arrived at the conclusion
that they will grin and bear It and
serve the nation TO t.. best Of their
ability. no matter what duty they are
called upon to perform. This senti-
ment was expressed In "a dispatch last
night from Admission. Ala. where the
Blues are in training at Camp McClel-
ian before being sent abroad.
While the Blues are willing to ac-
ccpt their tate as cheerfully as posi-
BILE. their friends at home are sparing
no effort TO have the identity Of the
famous organization preserved. AS an
organization. Rich.lond's noted mil
i,ary command has a record of l2S
years Of enviable history.
Captain Clarence Wyatt. president OF
the Blues Association; Captain j. G.
Sol Cutchins. all former Blues. yester-
day went as a delegation to Washing
ton and enlisted the :-id of Senators
Martin and Swanson in behalf Of the
preservation OF the identity of the
Blues.
PRESERVE UNITY If 1T is
POSSIBLE. ORDERS BAKER
Accompanied by the Virginia Sem
ators. the Richmond delegation visited
Secretary of War Baker and laid the
matter before him. While Secretary
Baker made no promi. :. indications at
the conclusion of the difference were
that the Blues would be allowed TO re-
tain their identity.
In response to telegram from
Mayor Ainslie. Senator Martin said
that both he and Senator Swanson
were entirely in accord with the move
to save the Blues from dismember-
ment.
While late dispatches from Wash
ington stated that renewed assurance
that National Guard units will be
broken up as little as possible in the
army reorganization had been given,
1t was explained It the War Depart
ment that in many cases it will be
necessary TO change the status or unity
Of organizations. The decision rests
with the department commanders. not
with the War Department. 1t was
said that Senator Martin anC the Rich
mond delegation were informed by
Secretary Baker that Major-General
Duval, commander Of the southeastern
Department. had been instructed 10
retain the Blues as an organization. If
possible.
TWO OTHER COMMANDS
FACE JANE PROSPECTS
According to information from An
niston. there are three cavalry organ
izations at Fort Mcclellan facing the
discouraging prospect OF disintergra.
ton. They are the Blues, the Essex
Troop. of New Jersey. and tho First
Cavalry OF the District of Columbia,
Protests against breaking up all of
these organizations were quickly made
at Washington when it was learne,
that the army's reorganization wouId
probably put an end to their separat.
existence.
The Blues were changed from an
infantry battalion to a n:ounted suuad
ron just before they left for service
along the Mexican border. Now tho
possibility Is imminent that thew vii,
become artillery. Tho ,Aen will not so
much mind the change if the organ
izatton Is permitted TO remain intact
what Is feared is that the men will. be
so distributed that there will not be
the remnants of an organization left
Like the Blues" stated Il dispatch
from The Times Dispatch correspond
ent at Admission. "the Washington cav
alrymen and the Essex troop sacrificed
a great deal in a social and business
way for patriotism. but many would
have waited for draft-chance IL they
Continued on Third Page.)