Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-09-06
FAMOUS BLUES
in THE JOINT
CELEBRATION
To Be Present At The Fifth's
Memorial Of The Star
Spangled Banner

Among the famous military units
of the Centennial Legion that will
represent the thirteen original colonies
at the Fifth Regiments joint celebra-
ton of the 121st Star Spangled Ban
ner anniversary and the Rededication
of its Armory, is the Richmond Light
Infantry Blues Battalion of Virgin
la.
This command was organized by
William Richardson in Richmond, May
10, 1889. Only one company was
formed, the original name having been
Richmond Light Infantry. The uni
form adopted was brilliant scarlet
trimmed with white closely designed
after the British Regimentals. Ow-
ing to the high feeling against the
British at that time the company had
great difficulty in obtaining recruits;
accordingly, in 1893 the scarlet uni
form was abandoned and the present
blue and white adopted. After this
the records state the recruiting was
easy and the new name Richmond
Light Infantry Blues was chosen.
The Blue Battalion has grown to
the present strength of three rifle
companies, one machine gun company,
one headquarters company, and the
battalion medical section, so that the
command is in complete accordance
with the United tSates Army tables
of organization. 1t now consists of
16 officers and about 289 men exclus-
i've of the band. Major Robert B.
Rose is commander, the commanding
officers Of tie companies being, 1t. w.
H. Dorm, Adjt., Capt. w. R. South
ward, Battalion Surgeon, 1t. w. T.
Burrows and Captains w. w. Atkins,
E. W.. Rankin, H. w. Harris. None
has had less than ten years service
with the battalion and some have had
many more.
The Richmond Blues is one Of the
oldest National Guard commands in
the Unitet States ant it's service has
been uninterrupted isnce its inception.
1t has taken pae in every major en-
gagement of the United States in
that time except turing the Civil War
when it fought for the Confederate
cause. It's first active service was in
1900 to quell the slave uprising To-
mentet by the so-callet General Cab
riel.
Beside its military duties and func-
tions the Blues take leading part
in the social life of Virginia. In adj
dtion to balls, banquets and other en-
terttinments, it has turned out in hon.
or of many visiting dignitaries includ-
ing the President of the United States
at Yorktown, arshal Foch and Rear
Admiral Byrd. It attended the Con-
federate Reunion in New Orleans,
made a peace trip to Europe in COM
pany with its friends Of the Connecti-
cut Footguard, with will also come to
Baltimore for the Fifth's festivities,
and acted as escort to Rear Admiral
Byrd in New York, beside being pres
ent at Presidential inaugurations.
The Richmond Blues was at first
part of the old 10Th Virginia Infantry
but later became an Independent unit
functioning as a volunteer organiza-
ton; as such it remained until 1916.
I nthat year it volunteered for Next
can Border service but as no separate
battalions were being accepted the
Blues requested that the organization
be changed to cavalry. AS the first
squadron, First Virginia Cavalry, it
was modified and sent to Brownsville,
Texas. After a few months on the
Border the unit was brought back,
transferred to the Artillery and sent
overseas for service in the World War
in France as the 104th Ammunition
Train. On returning to the United
States it was demobilized but the
Blues was Immediately reformed and
designated as LIST Battalion 183rd In
fantry. Virginia National Guard, the
183rd being the new designation of the
LIST Infantry. In recent years. how
ever, due to the great traditions of
the old LIST Infantry, the regiment was
redesignated the LIST and remains so