Welcome to the Washington Light Infantry

Welcome to the Washington Light Infantry

Welcome to the Washington Light Infantry

Located in Charleston, SC and founded in 1807. One of the nations oldest militia units.

Welcome to the Washington Light Infantry

The Washington Light Infantry

The Washington Light Infantry (WLI), organized in 1807, is one of the nation’s oldest militia units. Anticipating a second war with Britain, the citizens of Charleston planned for a number of volunteer corps, one of which was the Washington Light Infantry. It alone survives.

The Corps was named in honor of George Washington. Annually, on his birthday, February 22, a military banquet is observed by the Corps. The famous Eutaw Flag (the story of which follows) was borne by another Washington, Colonel William Washington, a cousin of General George Washington.

The Eutaw Flag

The flag commonly known as the Eutaw flag, now in the possession of the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, S.C., is a relic of the Revolutionary War.

It formerly belonged to Colonel William Washington, a cousin of General George Washington. John Randolph compared the Colonel, in one of his speeches in Congress, to the “Sword of Marcellus.”