Washington Light Infantry
Encyclopedia
The Washington Light Infantry is a military and social organization located in Charleston, South Carolina
. Founded in 1807, it is one of the oldest of these militia
groups still active in the United States
.
Following the American Revolutionary War
, tensions lingered between the fledgling United States and Great Britain
, and many Americans feared another war. In cities across the new country, citizens organized themselves into private militia groups. Several were established in Charleston, including the Washington Light Artillery, which was named for George Washington
. The company was first mustered into active service during the War of 1812
, but did not see combat as British troops did not invade South Carolina
. In 1827, the widow of Colonel William Washington
presented the company with his old Revolutionary War battleflag.
In 1836, the company was activated and sent to Florida
to combat hostile Seminole Indians during the Seminole Wars
. They guarded the city of St. Augustine
. Six years later, the company helped establish the South Carolina Military Academy. During the Mexican-American War, the company became part of the Palmetto Regiment and marched into Mexico City
in the army of Winfield Scott
.
When South Carolina seceded
from the Union
in early 1861, the Washington Light Artillery reformed into three distinct companies and served in the Confederate Army
during the American Civil War
. One company became Company A of the Hampton Legion. A total of 414 men served in the unit during the war, 114 of which were killed.
Following the war, the survivors returned home and helped reopen the closed military academy in 1882. They also formed the Washington Light Infantry Charitable Association to assist the families of fallen Confederate soldiers, as well as those men who had been invalided or otherwise disabled while on duty. (This organization still exists as the W.L.I. Charity Fund.)
In 1916, the unit took the field again, serving as border guards with Mexico
near El Paso, Texas
, at the request of President Woodrow Wilson
. A year later, following the United States' entry into World War I
, the WLI served in the United States Army
overseas in the 105th Ammunition Train, 55th Field Artillery Brigade, 30th Division.
Following the armistice
, the National Guard reorganized, and many of the state militia units were redesignated. The Washington Light Infantry became Company B of the 118th Infantry, South Carolina National Guard. In May 1921, the unit guarded ships and docks on behalf of the United States Shipping Board during a bitter dispute between sailors and shipping companies over wages.
Parts of the National Guard were sent overseas during World War II
, and Company A was reinstituted for guard duty on the home front.
A military banquet is held in Charleston annually on February 22 coincident with Washington's Birthday.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. Founded in 1807, it is one of the oldest of these militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
groups still active in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Following the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, tensions lingered between the fledgling United States and Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, and many Americans feared another war. In cities across the new country, citizens organized themselves into private militia groups. Several were established in Charleston, including the Washington Light Artillery, which was named for George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. The company was first mustered into active service during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, but did not see combat as British troops did not invade South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. In 1827, the widow of Colonel William Washington
William Washington
William Washington , was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, who held a final rank of Brigadier General in the newly created United States after the war...
presented the company with his old Revolutionary War battleflag.
In 1836, the company was activated and sent to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to combat hostile Seminole Indians during the Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
. They guarded the city of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
. Six years later, the company helped establish the South Carolina Military Academy. During the Mexican-American War, the company became part of the Palmetto Regiment and marched into Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
in the army of Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
.
When South Carolina seceded
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
from the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
in early 1861, the Washington Light Artillery reformed into three distinct companies and served in the Confederate Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. One company became Company A of the Hampton Legion. A total of 414 men served in the unit during the war, 114 of which were killed.
Following the war, the survivors returned home and helped reopen the closed military academy in 1882. They also formed the Washington Light Infantry Charitable Association to assist the families of fallen Confederate soldiers, as well as those men who had been invalided or otherwise disabled while on duty. (This organization still exists as the W.L.I. Charity Fund.)
In 1916, the unit took the field again, serving as border guards with Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
near El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, at the request of President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
. A year later, following the United States' entry into World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the WLI served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
overseas in the 105th Ammunition Train, 55th Field Artillery Brigade, 30th Division.
Following the armistice
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
, the National Guard reorganized, and many of the state militia units were redesignated. The Washington Light Infantry became Company B of the 118th Infantry, South Carolina National Guard. In May 1921, the unit guarded ships and docks on behalf of the United States Shipping Board during a bitter dispute between sailors and shipping companies over wages.
Parts of the National Guard were sent overseas during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and Company A was reinstituted for guard duty on the home front.
A military banquet is held in Charleston annually on February 22 coincident with Washington's Birthday.