Evening star., 1928-04-22
Washington Infantry Contributed to Theatrical History

pany Of soldiers has Just been organized
in this city, TO be denominated the
washington Light Infantry. We under
stand that the number amounts at pres
ent TO 40 members, who are all Of them
gentlemen OF respectabihty and good
standing. This company will be hand
somely equipped and uniformed, so as
to make a respectable and SoldierIike
appearance on the 18th of Septem-
ber when they expect to meet and Join
their Baltimore companions in arms
The following gentlemen have been Sc
lected officers OF the Washington Light
Infantry:
81 A. Blake, captain; Richard
France, first lieutenant; w. H. Mauro.
second lieutenant; John Mills, third
lieutenant"
In the same paper five days later,
Is this item:
1--WE understand that the number OF
volunteers into the Washington Light
has considerably increased since we last
noticed them. The company amounts
ar present to about co, all Of them re-
spectacle mechanics or tradesmen.
From all that We have learned relative
To the military movements in the city
there Is a very hattering prospect Of
raising three or four new companies Of
cavalry and infantry, such as viii do
credit TO the metropolis. and be OF
powerful advantage in case Of emer-
gency.'
IN addition to the foregoing officers,
Joseph Borrows, as surgeon, and
James P. Mexican, as quartermaster,
were Of the first officers of this ceIe-
brated corps. It was subsequently sue
cessively commanded by Capts. Richard
France. James P. Mexican, Joseph 3.
TAFT, z. c. Darlington and James 7.
Davis
Company A was, from its infancy. z
very popular organization. Though the
campaigns Of the sea" and the long
pllgrImages which characterized the
latter history of the corps were prob
ably at that day undreamed Of. still the
renown Of the company vas not con-
fined to the District
At the beginning of the Civil War, O:
the "a District companies that vo!un-
teered tor the three months service,
members OF the Washington Light In
/ fantry were among the first troops 20
be mustered into service. The name OF
| its orderly sergeant was the very first
TO be placed on the rolls OF the Vo!un-
| teer Army which afterward swellad into
| millions. and it is said mot a man re-
ceived bounty or extra pay or aid for
| his family. or even compensation for
| his military uniform. soon worn out n
! service" AS has always been the case.
| during the War Between the States the
| District furnished more men in pro-
portion TO its population than any State
or Territory.
At the close of that great struggle
| little else was left OF the Light Infantry
| but its name. In 1871. a reorganization
| was effected and Company A was again
brought into beng with Col William
| G. Moore as captain, r c. Lewis first
| lieutenant. Oscar Hough second lieu
| tenant. w II. Beau third lieutenant
and NJ P. Fisher first sergeant On
July 4, 1871. the company paraded and
| its appearance met with such great
favor that Companies B, c and D we're
| quickly formed and commanded. re-
| spectively. by J. W. Mcknight, J. T.
| Luttren and R. c. Lewis
| In February. 1880. the infantry gave
fair for the purpose OF raising funds
| with which to procure uniforms and
! equipment for recruits. The results so
greatly exceeded the members expecta-
ton that in the Autumn Of 1893 an
other fair was held. the money obtained
| from this one being used TO purchase
the armory and theater site.