The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-24
statutes. George Ainslie. mayor ~
Richmond. was the first captain ~
p, Company n "

statutes. george Ainslie, mayor ~
hichmond. was the first captain OF
Company b. y
FIRST UNIFORM uNpopuLAa
The first uniform was SO similar -
the uniform Of the detested relocate
OF that period as to cause the organi-
eaton to become unpopular with tha
popuiace. This sentiment was ~
marked that on May 10. 1898, the com
pany was re-orEanized under the nanca
or the Richmond Light Infantry RIuas
ana the uniform changed to blue faced
with white.
The Blues fast saw service in tho
General Gabriel slave insurrection.
in August. 1900. They were again
called upon II bear arms in the war
of 1912, A detachment OF the Blues
was used in ruelling the Nat Turner
Instruction in August, 1890, and the
entire company was sent to Harper's
Ferry, Tuesday. October II, 1859. in
connection with John Browns his
toric raid.
From 1899 until the present date.
the Blues have volunteered their SER
vices in every national or local emer-
gency. serving with great distinction
throughout the war between tho
states. The company, under COM
mand of Captain O. Jennings Wise,
was mustered into the service Of the
Confederate states on June II. 1861,
as Company 4. Forty-sixth Virginia
regim ent, in the brigade of Brigaiier-
General Henry A. Wise. governor OF
Virginia and father of Captain Wise.
Although a complete record Of the
compaHy's engagements during the
war is not available. the company II
known TO have conducted itself with
conspicuous eallantry on all occasions.
1 L.
Blues participated in the battle Of
Roanoke Island. on February 8.
1852, and was practically annihilated
in the struggle between $500 Con-
federates and 5000 Union soldiers.
Captain Wise being killed In the bat.
tie and both heutenants wounded
Ordered to Yorktown.
The company was recruited again
and after receiving training in Rich
niend was ordered to Yorktown.
/ April ]. 1862. and it's operations from
that time until the close of the war
were confined &c the various sections
Of Virginia. Sixteen men. all that was
left of the command. surrendered with
General Lee at Appomattox. Captain
Fred Carter was KILLED and Lieutenant
Bigger and Levy wounded in a-charge
on the 15t1 of June. 1854 OF the
five war captains, two were killed and
three wounded
The Blues was the only southern
organization to take part in the un-
yelling OF the monument in New York
of General Grant. the great COM
mander to Who, the remnant OF eix-
teen" surrendered.
Although iisoy saw service IN all
minor emergencies. such as uprisings.
strikes etc. the activities of the Blues
prior TO the civil war and since Gen
eral Lees surrender have necessarily
/ been mostly OF a social nature In
the social history of the organization.
two events stend out as of pre-eminens
! importance. General Lafayettc's visit
| 10 Virginia In 1874 was the signal for
widest dem onstrations throughout
| the state. The Blues marched To
greet him on octover is. and perced-
! ing his entry into Richmond, again
! saluted the distir guished and beloved
visitor and acted rs his body-guard
| during his atav in this city
On February q. 1871. the Blues en-
tertained as their dinner guests thu
! newly electro president and vice.
president rf the ttrrtted States, Frn-
eral William II Harrison and Hon.
John Tyler. who were In Richmond
| TO attend "A celebration Of washing
! TONS birthday. Governor Gilmer. OF
| Virginia. and his staff: General Lam
/ bert and his staff, and many other
notah'es were present at the function1
/ Chartered by Legislature.
| On the 2ath Of Jenuary. 1855 the
! company was re-organlzed and III
/ 1877 Withdrew from the First vira
/ ginia regiment Of which II had beer
part and ives chartered by the legfs1
, lature as an INDEPENDENT command
On May 10. 1894. battalion od
two comnenies was formed sincA
which time the official DESIGNATION ~
| the organization has been Richmond
tLirht Infantry Blues battalion. yirl
! ginia Volunteers"
| On May 20 1894. the hattalion saul
, its first service in connection with thsI
I Pocahontas coal strike. and in 1898
i tho two cnmps n!es became a part al
/ the Fourth Virginia regiment and "a
! service in the war with Spain form
| ing n part OF tho army OF occupation
! in Cuba
/ Again in faoa the battalion was II,
service twno,yseven days IN connect
ton with the Richmond street ca /
strike
on March 3 1907, The third cona
| pany. &C" was formed making n
| battalion OF three companies and oil
| May 10, 1911. tho fourth comran,s)
ID" was eormcd. thereby making TIL
/ organization a complete unit
In addition TO having seen sen
| vice In every war In which the s,aiy
1 or country has engaged. and evera
! local disturo@ nee since its organixaS
I tion--except the war with NexicGI
when Its servieeF were not accepted--sl
! the Blues have been the escort to 'hsl
! governor NJ Virginia on the occasscsl
! OF his official visits to the big en-
| positions of the country and on oihTl
/ official occasions. and thcv have beeS
| entertained tN. md have had TN
/ pleasure Of entertaining. the old on
! ganizations throughout the north anil
| south. n