A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
RICHMOND LIGHT INFANTRY BLUES
Before the American Revolution, the city of Richmond raised a group of soldiers for protection, which was called into service in the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington . After the war ended, the Richmond Light Infantry Company returned to Richmond, marching in public parade shortly after their return. This display wasn’t met with great enthusiasm from the people, largely due to the Company wearing a traditional red uniform which bore a resemblance to the uniforms worn by the British Army at the time. Following this, the Company elected to change the color of their uniform to blue, and as such, the Richmond Light Infantry Blues was formed in 1789.

The Blues entered active service again for the War of 1812 in order to repel British forces as they pushed into Virginia, not seeing combat as the war ended before the British forces reached Richmond. Several decades later they were called to service again during the American Civil War as part of the 46th Virginia Infantry. The Blues participated as part of the Army of Occupation in Cuba during the Spanish American War, as well as serving during the Mexican Border Campaign. The Blues were reorganized for service in the 1st World War as part of the 104th Ammunition Train, seeing combat in France at the battles of Alsace and the Meuse and the Argonne. Members of the Blues then went on to serve in World War 2, as well as the Global War on Terror.

Due to a reorganization of the Virginia Army National Guard, the Blues were stood down in the year 1968, remaining dormant until December of 2016, where they were reestablished.