Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25
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The best people in the city were members
Of the Light Infantry, and their uniforms and
drilling and their soldierly bearing just nat
urally captivated all Of Washington. Their
enterprise In erecting this expensive structure
was applauded, and when they later resorteo
to giving fairs to help pay their Indebtedness,
the citizens responded freely as the Washington
public is known to do upon every worthy occa-
sion To the washingtonian, the soldiers of
today do not mean near so much, sentimentaAy,
as the soldiers we used to have; indeed the
same contact and pride is not as apparent a.
formerly.
"A T the time the building was completed, one
Of the original members of the Infantry,
in giving his "reminiscences of the old corps
said:
1.-THE Infantry was not just home guard
made up Of gentlemen soldiers, as some might
suppose but quite number of the older menu
beers had smelled powder during the Civil War
in many of the big engagements and were ready
to turn out again if the occasion had arisen.
Capt. W. w. Moore, the father of the present
popular commander Of the Infantry, had, prior
to 1886, when the Infantry was FIRST organized,
commanded a company called the NATIONAL
Cadets, composed largely of printers and book
binders, and this company ceasing to exist.
number of its members, in the early part OF
1886, formed q new organization, which took
the name of the Washington Light Infantry.
MIR. John A. Blake, who had been the first
sergeant Of the cadets, was the captain; Rich
lieutenants; DR.. Joseph Borrows, surgeon, and
James p. Mexican, first sergeant.
1.-THE uniform adopted was that of the Regu-
lar Infantry at that time.
1.-THE first parade was made on the 18th OF
September, 1886, when the Infantry, mot being
fully uniformed, paraded with one-half OF the
men dressed in white jackets and pants and
the other in uniform to receive the Baltimore
troops who came over on the occasion OF the
opening of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad TO
this city.
'"The FIRST trip made by the Infantry from
this city was to Baltimore in June, 1887, when
they paraded 100 men and took with them
the Marine Band. They were heartily well
coined by the Baltimoreans, given the freedom
Of the city and for three days they had what
might be said to be a high old time They
were quartered at the General Wayne Inn in
that city breakfast was served during their
stay, in what was then the woods but now Is
the site of the Union Depot in that city.
From time to time the company changed
the style Of hat, but retained the uniform first
adopted till they were mustered into the service
in 1861, and many well remember the splendid
appearance of the corps when wearing the hat
with metal sunburst and visor and white drop
plume.
ga one time the Infantry had fine band
attached to It, led by Prof. Marcoletti, .
number Of members of which are yet living.
Capt. Richard France succeeded Capt. Blake,
then Capts. James p. Mexican, Joseph B. Tate,
e. C. Darlington and James Y. Davis (after-
ward colonel.
About 1858 the number had increased 10
such an extent that battalion was formed,
Capt. Davis having command as colonel, and
the two companies commanded by Capts Lem
Towers (afterward coloneD and Peter M. Du-
bant. Subsequently a third company was
formed, commanded by Capt. B. Hail. Under
the battalion organization in July, 1860, they
went into camp at Fort Washington for three
days. Other companies were added till the
commencement of the war.
1.-The Light Infantry Battalion, under Col.
Davis, took part in the first inaugural process
sion of Mr.. Lincoln, and carried that day 40
rounds of ammunition-the muskets loaded with
bali and buckshot. They were fully prepared
for an emergency should 1t have arisen
ION the 9th of April, 1861, an order was
issued by Gen. r. G. Weightman, commanding