Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War
"RICHMOND LIGHT INFANTRY BLUES, Co. A" Shield Decorative Commemorative Bronze and Wooden Plaque
Civil War Era, Union Shield Shaped Wooden Plaque, "RICHMOND LIGHT INFANTRY BLUES, Co. A", with central Brass Mounted Federal Eagle small metal "Co" at upper left and small metal "A" at upper right, Extremely Fine.
A decorative commemorative Bronze and Wooden Plaque in nice size measuring 9.5" x 7.5", consisting of a brass eagle with the seal of the Regiment on a shield on its breast, small metal "Co" at upper left and small metal "A" at upper right, all attached to a wooden back in the form of a Union shield. Nice, old patina, with the only defects being some light chipping of the wood in the corners and on one or two places along the edge. A more modern hanger has been attached to the back by two small screws. The Richmond Light Infantry Blues was a volunteer Virginia militia regiment founded after the Revolution and which served in every major war through the Korea War. The only time they were constituted as Company A was from 1861 to just after the close of the Civil War, when they were attached to the 46th Regiment, Virginia Infantry. This may be the only such surviving plaque.
The Richmond Light Infantry Blues were established 1789 as a company of voluntary militia. Named for their distinctive blue and white uniforms, the company became the 19th Regiment of Virginia Militia in 1792 and part of the 1st Virginia Regiment in 1851.
In 1861, they were detached from the 1st Virginia Regiment and served throughout the Civil War as Company A, 46th Regiment, Virginia Infantry. They rejoined the 1st Virginia Regiment after the close of the war, but were chartered as in independent company in 1877, remaining so until the Spanish-American War, when they comprised Companies H and M, 4th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers.
During World War I the company was assigned as the Horse Battalion, 104th Ammunition Train, 29th Division. The company served as a battalion of infantry during World War II. When the National Guard was reorganized in the 1960s, the Blues became part of the 183d Infantry, 1st Battalion, 29th Division, Virginia Army National Guard. The unit was deactivated in 1996.
The Blues volunteered their assistance whenever and wherever a crisis arose. The Blues were an active military unit was during the War of 1812. They were involved in suppressing the Nat Turner rebellion in 1831; guarded John Brown after his capture at Harpers Ferry; and were mustered into the Confederate Army in 1861.
The company later served in the Spanish-American War (1898) and in World Wars I and II, the Korean War (1950-1953) and the Berlin Crisis (1962).
The Richmond Blues were as much a social organization as a military unit. When the company was not involved in military matters, it participated in parades and general celebrations and in the reception of every distinguished visitor to the city of Richmond, ranging from General Lafayette in 1824 to American presidents in the present day. The company traditionally celebrated three annual events, including the Tenth of May (the anniversary of its founding), which was celebrated every year with an anniversary ball. Other important events in the companys social calendar were George Washingtons Birthday and Christmas.