Evening star., 1939-10-15

"OAAA cOOAA RAOAAOuA1CC tAAC1A CO1A.
valescent and fit for duty, when
they would resume their places in
line, and others would be sent to the
hositals for similar treatment.
'The major general, for some days
previous, practiced horsemanship on
the back Of a bull, which proved
too refractory for his generalship,
throwing him in a pile of fresh NOR
tar. He finally secured q steed, de-
scendant of the veritable Rosinante,
and which inherited all the qualities
Of that ancient animal. Another
ofhcer rode a jackass Of the most
diminutive size. His huge spurs
oftener ploughed the ground than.
the sides of his animal.
Some three or four of the off,
GERS horses gave up the ghost be-
fore the troops were dismissed,
dropping in the streets, while on the
march. Such was the heat, crowd
and dust, that 1t was impossible for
the spectators to take full notes of
the affair, further than to observe
that the uniforms. notices, equip
ment, etc., were laughable and gro
tesque in the extreme. Words can
not accurately describe their fam
tastical appearance, nor imagina-
ton supply the ludicrous figures and
costumes or fancy paint the tout
ensemble. On the whole, we may
not soon look upon their like
again."
Light Infantry Born.
1t was during the year following
that the Washington Light Infantry
came into existence. Just prior to
the Civil War. however, it seems to
have taken on added strength, due
to its natural increase in member
ship. Naturally, pleasure was al
ways foremost in the corps activi-
ties, and soirees, hops and picnics
were frequently given by the men,
bers for their wives and the un-
married men for their sweethearts.
In the summer of 1860 we find
the corps picnicking at Arlington
Springs and visiting other we'll
known places. Mr.. Hallet was then
the proprietor of the resort at
Meridian Hill, and on September
we find him pledging to give the
battalion $50 worth Of prizes for
craftsmanship and to furnish din
ner at so cents q head. Although
Thomas Fahey, who was operating
the Columbian Springs, was bidder
for the infantry's outing, yet the
corps decided to go to Commodore
Porter's old home. The report of
the quartermaster showed the affair
to be q success financially, but the
misbehavior Of some of the members
resulted In their dismissal.
Final Meetings.
A special meeting of the Infantry
held February II, 1861, and a drill
meeting which followed on February
II, were the two final meetings be-
fore the body virtually disbanded
and was mustered into the Federal
service on April 10, it being the first
organization to volunteer for service
in the Union Army, and thus became
the first defenders" of the National
Capital in the great crisis of 1861.
This particular contingent. known
as Company A, commanded by Capt.
Lemuel Towers, which was sworn
In as stated, was, on the following
day, on guard At the Long Bridge,
which for many years had spanned
the Potomac. On the night of the
18th 1t guarded the Treasury Build
ing, the State Department and the
White House, and until the first
troops arrived from the North on
April Is, the District troops guarded
public departments and every
thoroughfare of approach to the
Capital by land and water.
Fought on Both Sides.
All members Of the Infantry did
not fight on the Northern side, for
some went South and joined the
Confederate Army, but shortly after
the war was over, and q more tram
quill feeling existed, some of the
surviving members of the corps,
feeling that the body should be re-
organized, called a meeting for that
purpose, and a part of the minutes
recorded at the time follow:
washington City, May IS, 1871.
"A meeting of former members Of
the Washington Light Infantry and
others was held on the evening OF
the above date, at No. 628 r street.
On motion, Mr.. j. Tyler Powell was
called to the chair and Oscar r.
Hough chosen secretary.
"The chair stated the object of
the meeting to be the formation of
a military organization. On motion
the secretary was directed to draw
up the following and all parties
present so desiring were requested
to come forward and sign.
Washington, May Is, 1871.
The undersigned, desirous OF
forming q military organization,
hereby agree to be guided by such
rules and regulations as may be
hereafter adopted, and, as an evil
dence of such intention, have hereby
set their signatures.
William A. Yates. AT New York
avenue; J.. Tyler Powell, 912 M
street; ]. v. r. Towers, 807 K street;
J. A. Roman, 426 Street northwest;
r. A. WhitehAnd, 637 d street north
west; E. Bawsel, 6N D street north
west; Oscar r.. Hough, 926 Eighth
street; w. E. Morgan, 428 Third
street; William S. McKean, 1l03
Ninth street: John w. Dare, Al I
street: Maury I. Ebbs, 423 New York
avenue; Edward H. Sipe, 408 K
street,"
Members Admitted.
At the next meeting, held May
Is, the following additional members
were elected and signed the roll:
]. q. Addison, Sl4 Eighth street;
T. q 1iler. ~ q stFest; william