 | Virginia Historical Society Department of Manuscripts and Archives |
Richmond Light Infantry Blues Records, 1871-1980
Mss3R4157cFA2
Description & Guide
Abstract
Main Entry: Richmond Light Infantry Blues Title: Records, 1871-1980 Size: ca. 4,100 items Historical Note: 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 first time the company saw active service was during Gabriel’s rebellion in August of 1800. The next time 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 company’s social calendar were George Washington’s Birthday and Christmas.
Summary Note: The records of Richmond Light Infantry Blues are arranged into three series. Series One, The First Virginia Regiment, includes correspondence, agendas, financial materials, photographs, speeches, and newspaper clippings documenting the organization’s activities, in particular the May 10th celebration of its founding. Series Two, The Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps, concerns an organization established in 1925 to honor those who served in the Blues prior to their reorganization as part of the Virginia National Guard in 1968, and includes correspondence of officers, materials concerning annual meetings, and addresses of members. Series Three, The Blues Monument Memorial Corporation, concerns the group founded by A. Simpson Williams to erect a statue to the Blues, which was unveiled in 1978. The papers concern raising funds for the statue and include some historical materials concerning the Blues’ visit to Paris in 1926, and their attendance at various balls and parades throughout the twentieth century. Each series is arranged into three subseries based on format: correspondence, financial materials and administrative materials. Provenance: Gift of the Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps through the courtesy of Roger M. Marks, Commander, in 1990. Accessioned 6 February 1997. Restrictions: None. Related Collections: Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad Company records, 1839-1983 (Mss3R4152bFA2 Section 15)
Richmond Light Infantry Blues Association papers, 1877-1884 (Mss3R4157a)
Richmond Light Infantry Blues Association papers, 1882-1886 (Mss3R4157b)
Guide
Series 1: First Virginia Regiment Records, 1871-1975
Series 2: Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps Records, 1931-1968
Series 3: Blues Monument Memorial Corp. Records, 1899-1986
Series 1: First Virginia Regiment Records, 1871-1975 (ca. 1,200 items)
Series 1.1 consists of correspondence, chiefly of Edwin Cox, who was onetime colonel-in-chief of the regiment. Other major correspondents are Arnold Ellis, Edwin Conquest, John Beazley, Henry Snyder and Herbert Harris. Series 1.2 is mostly bank statements and ledgers. Series 1.3 contains agendas for meetings, photographs, speeches and news clippings.
Series 1.1 Correspondence, 1948-1975 (ca. 400 items) Folder 1 1948-1965 2 1966 Jan-Apr 3 1966 May-Aug 4 1966 Sep-Dec 5 1967-1968 6 1969-1970 7 1971-1975 Series 1.2 Financial Materials, 1962-1970 (ca. 500 items) Folder 8 Checks/deposit slips of Col. Holt, 1966-1977 9 Contributors list (Paul Booth gift fund, no date) 10 Dividends, Virginia Power Company, 1967 Dec-1972 Sept 11 Expenses list, 1966 Jun-1969 Jun 12 Financial letters, 1963 Apr-1972 Jun 13 Financial lists, 1966 Mar-1970 Nov 14 Headquarters, Bills, 1962 Sept-1972 May 15 Ledger, First Virginia Regiment Permanent Fund, 1967 Dec- 1972 16 Ledger, First Virginia Regiment Permanent Fund 1966-1968 17 Ledger, Virginia Trust Company, 1962 Feb-1964 Jun 18 Ledger, Virginia Trust Company, 1964-1966 19 Ledger, Virginia Trust Company, 1966-1967 20 Ledger/checkbook, Virginia Trust Company, 1962-1967 21 Receipts/expenditures, 1970 22 Statements/deposits, Virginia Trust Company, 1964 23 Statements/deposits, Virginia Trust Company, 1965 24 Statements/deposits, Virginia Trust Company, 1965-1966 25 Statements/deposits, Virginia Trust Company, 1967 26 Statements/deposits, Virginia Trust Company, 1968 27 Statements/deposits, Virginia Trust Company, 1969-1970 Series 1.3: Administrative Materials, 1871-1972 (ca. 300 items) Folder 28 Agendas, 1963-1968 29 Addresses and speeches, 1962 Sep-1970 May 30 Applications for scholarships, 1965 Dec-1972 Mar 31 Award certificates, 1871 Sep (Photocopy), 1943 Dec 32 Invitations and replies, 1966 Nov-1972 Jun 33 News clippings about the First Virginia Regiment, 1962 Apr-1966 Jul 34 Newsletter, Centennial Legion, 1972 Jan 29 35 Newsletter, 29th Div. National Headquarters, 1966 Apr-Jul 36 Necrology, 1944-1972 37 Policy for the appointment for the commander in Chief of the Regiment 38 Reservations list for May 22, 1970 39 Rosters, 1963 Apr-1971 Feb 40 Streamers (Argonne, Alsace) 41 Photographs of First Virginia Regiment, 1871-1963 Oct 42 Special and General Orders, 1961 Jul-1971 Jul
Series 2: Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps Records, 1931-1968 (ca. 2,000 items)
These materials concern the Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps, established in 1925. Membership is restricted to those who served in the Blues prior to the company’s reorganization in 1968. Series 2.1 contains correspondence, primarily concerning the three annual meetings. Series 2.2 contains financial materials, including receipts for the meetings. Series 2.3 contains a complete address list of members, and the years in which they paid their dues.
Series 2.1 Correspondence, 1935-1967 (ca. 300 items) Folder 43 1935-1942 44 1943-1950 45 1951-1959 46 1969-1967 Series 2.2 Financial Materials, 1931-1968 (ca. 1,000 items) Folder 47 Dues receipts, 1934-1938 48 Dues receipts, 1939-1940 49 Dues receipts, 1944-1956 50 Dues-receipts, 1967-1968 51 Expenditure notes, 1953-1960 52 Expenditure notes, 1961-1967 53 Financial statements, 1948-1951 54 Financial statements, 1953-1967 55 Ledgers/statements, First and Merchants National Bank, 1931 Oct-1941 Jan. 56 Ledgers, First and Merchants National Bank, 1952-1959 57 Receipts and Disbursements records, 1958-1967 58 Receipts, Alcohol transportation permits, 1950-1967 59 Receipts, Beverages, 1936 May-1962 60 Receipts, Catering, 1934 Nov-1951 Oct 61 Receipts, Cleaning, 1949 Mar-1965 May 62 Receipts, Clock repair, 1947 Dec-1949 63 Receipts, Craige and Company, 1945-1950 64 Receipts, Electric bills, 1946-1949 65 Receipts, Electric contracting, 1949-1956 66 Receipts, Florist, 1935 Dec-1951 Jul 67 Receipts, Hardware 1949 May-1950 Jun 68 Receipts, Hotels, 1941 May-1951 May 69 Receipts, Insurance premiums, 1948-1967 70 Receipts, Mailing advertisements, 1936 May-1967 71 Receipts, Miller and Rhodes, May 12, n.y. 72 Receipts, Miscellaneous, 1938-1967 73 Receipts, Printing, 1935 Jan-1951 Mar 74 Receipts, Office supplies, 1952-1965 75 Receipts, National Seal Works, stamps, 1949-1964 76 Receipts, Paint, 1956 Jan-1959 Apr 77 Receipts, Paintings (portraits), 1956-1965 78 Receipts, Photography, 1937-1951 79 Receipts, Storage and transfer, 1956 Oct-1958 80 First and Merchants National Bank, deposits, 1934 81 First and Merchants National Bank, deposits, 1959 82 State and Planters Bank, statements, 1935-1939 83 State and Planters Bank, statements, 1939-1940 84 Savings Bank and Trust, statements, 1941-1948 (yearly) 85 Savings Bank and Trust, statements, 1946 May-1950 Oct. (monthly) 86 Savings Bank and Trust, statements, 1951-1959 87 Virginia Trust Company, statements, 1959-1966 Series 2.3: Administrative Materials, 1940-1968 (ca. 700 items) Folder 88 Address list of members 89 Address list of non-members 90 Applications for membership 91 Dues paid, 1948 92 Dues paid, 1951 93 Dues paid, 1951(cont) 94 Dues paid, 1952-1961 95 Dues paid, 1962-1966 96 Dues paid, 1967 97 Davenport Insurance, policies, 1953-1963 98 Davenport Insurance, policies, 1963-1968 99 Invitations, 1966-1967 100 RLIB programs for anniversaries. 1949-1965 101 Rosters, 1940-1952 102 Rosters, 1953-1967
Series 3: Blues Monument Memorial Corp. Records, 1899-1986 (ca. 900 items)
The Blues Monument Memorial Corporation was founded by A. Simpson Williams, a former commander of the Veterans Corps. Williams formed the monument corporation with an intent to honor the Blues with a statue. The unveiling occurred on October 20, 1978, with the statue located just outside the Richmond Coliseum. Most of the materials in this part of the collection are concerned with raising funds to pay for the statue. The correspondence is primarily letters of solicitation, invitation, and acknowledgment. Series 3.2 concerns financial matters. Series 3.3, consists of administrative materials, with some historical materials, including a copy of the address given by the Marquis de la Lafayette on his visit to Virginia in 1824 and photographs of the Blues on their 1926 trip to Paris and attending various parties and balls and marches, including the inaugural parade of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Series 3.1 Correspondence, 1972-1986 (ca. 200 items) Folder 103 1972-1977 104 1978 Jan-1978 Jul 105 1978 Aug-1978 Sep 106 1978 Oct-1978 Dec 107 1979-1986 Series 3.2 Financial Materials, 1974-1980 (ca. 200 items) Folder 108 Financial Statements/Annual Reports, 1974-1979 109 Heritage Bank, statements, 1974-1979 110 F&M Bank, statements, 1974-1980 111 Dominion National Bank, ledger, 1977-1980 112 Dominion National Bank, notes, 1977 113 Dominion National Bank, statements, 1977 Nov-Dec 114 Dominion National Bank, statements, 1978 Jan-Jun 115 Dominion National Bank, checks/deposit slips, 1978 Jan-1979 Jan 116 Heritage Savings and Loan checks (copies) 1979 117 Receipts, Downtown Club, 1978-1979 118 Receipts, Davenport and Co., 1979 Series 3.3 Administrative Materials, 1899-1979 (ca. 500 items) Folder 119 Addresses of the Marquis de Lafayette to Virginia, (Photocopy) 120 Articles of Incorporation, 1973 May 29 121 By-Laws of Corporation, 1973 May 30 122 City of Richmond zoning approval for monument, 1972 123 A commentary (a History of Blues Service) 124 Commissions, Army, A. Simpson Williams 125 Contributors list, 1977-1979 126 Insurance policy, 1978 127 General Lafayette-account of 1824 visit 128 R.E. Lee monument corp. letter 1899 129 Newsletters: The Commonwealth-May 1939
Drill Bits 1978
The Visitor Jul 1978130 Obituary of Col. Robert Rose, n.d. 131 Photos of Blues Monument 132 Photos of Paris trip, 1926 133 Photos of Anniversary balls 134 Photos of Parades 135 Photos, Miscellaneous 136 Program, Dedication of the Monument, Oct. 20, 1978 137 The Richmond Light Infantry Blues: A Sketch 138 Solicitation ad, 1978 Dec 1 139 Taxes, 1973-1979 140 Taxes, 1099 forms, 1968-1971
Container List
| Box 1 | |||
| Series 1: | First Virginia Regiment (folders 1-29) | ||
| Series 1.1: Correspondence | |||
| Series 1.2: Financial materials | |||
| Box 2 | |||
| Series 1: | First Virginia Regiment, cont. (folders 30-69) | ||
| Series 1.2: Financial materials, cont. | |||
| Series 2: | Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps | ||
| Series 2.1: Correspondence | |||
| Series 2.2: Financial materials | |||
| Box 3 | |||
| Series 2: | Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps, cont. (folders 70-99) | ||
| Series 2.2: Financial materials, cont. | |||
| Series 2.3: Administrative materials | |||
| Box 4 | |||
| Series 2: | Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veterans Corps, cont. (folders 100-140) | ||
| Series 2.3: Administrative materials, cont. | |||
| Series 3: | Blues Monument Memorial Corporation | ||
| Series 3.1: Correspondence | |||
| Series 3.2: Financial materials | |||
| Series 3.3: Administrative materials | |||