Brief History

The Centennial Legion was organized on 4 July 1876, in Philadelphia, at the Centennial Celebration of our nation. A mammoth parade featured the newly formed Legion comprised of historic military commands from the thirteen original states. The Eutaw Flag was included in the colors of the Legion and was carried by the Washington Light Infantry.

The suggestion to form the Legion was made a year earlier (1875) at the Bunker Hill Centennial Celebration by Major George W. McLean, Commander of the Old Guard - City of New York, and Captain Robert C. Gilchrist, Commander of the Washington Light Infantry, Charleston, SC.

The unhappy war between the states had ended only ten years before and there still existed very strong sectional feelings which many level-headed men of that day sought to eradicate for the general national good. Two such men were Major McLean and Captain Gilchrist. This friendly association of soldiers at Bunker Hill, many of whom had a few years previously been engaged in actual warfare with one another created a feeling of fraternity and good fellowship that set the stage for organizing the Centennial Legion.

The Centennial Legion remains an active organization and is comprised of historic military commands from each of the 13 original states. It seeks to perpetuate the military organizations who served and protected our country in the early days of its history, before, during and after the Revolutionary War. It was formed to unite those military commands that still existed, along with their successors, in one body, pledged to keep their ancient traditions and to preserve the records of their military achievements.

The organization fosters patriotism and encourages national defense. It is bound to uphold the national institutions of the United States in their integrity, and to maintain a spirit of brotherly union and benevolence among our armed forces. It recognizes and honors all citizens who served or are serving in the Army, Reserve Corps, Naval, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Guard.

One of its principals is to teach and impress respect for our flag, and to the U.S. Constitution, as well as obedience to constituted authority. It is dedicated to uphold allegiance and loyalty the United States of America, and to defend it against all enemies.

Linked where available:

Connecticut

1st Regiment-Connecticut Militia (HQ, 1st BN , 169th Infantry) "1672"
Regiment of Fairfield County (2nd BN , 192nd FA , CTANG) "1672"
Second Connecticut Regiment of Militia (102nd Infantry) "1739"
First Company Governor's Foot Guard "1771"
Second Company Governor's Foot Guard "1775"
Sheldon's Horse, 2nd Continental Light Dragoons "1776"
Connecticut 6th Regiment , Continental Line "1777"
First Company Governor's Horse Guard "1778"
Second Company Governor's Horse Guard "1808"
New Haven Grays, Company A, 1BN, 103rd Infantry ,CTANG "1816"
Putnam Phalanx "1858"
First Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry , Inc. "1861"

Delaware

1st Delaware Regiment (American Rifle Assn., HQ, 198 Sig Bn, DANG) "1776"

Georgia

Chatham Artillery Corporation "1786"
Savannah Volunteer Guards , Inc. "1802"
The Columbus Guards "1835'
The Old Guard of the Gate City Guard "1854"
Gate City Guard "1855"
First Volunteer Regiment of Georgia "1860"

Maryland

Fifth Maryland (HQ 1st BN , 175th Infantry MDARNG) "1774"
2nd BN, 175th Infantry ( Fifth Maryland ) "1774"
Veteran Corps Fifth Regiment Infantry , MDARNG "1888"
115th Infantry Regiment Association " First Maryland Regiment " "1775"

Massachusetts

North Regiment (1BN , 182nd Infantry MARNG) "1636"
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts "1638"
First Corps of Cadets ( 211th MP BN , MARNG ) "1726"
Lexington Minutemen, Inc "1773"
Acton Minutemen "1775"
Bedford Minutemen Company "1775"
Second Corps of Cadets, (1BN, 101st FA, MARNG) "1775'
Fusilier Veterans Corps "1787"
Marine Detachment "1797"
USS Constitution "21 Oct 1797"
Massachusetts National Lancers "1836"
Veteran Association of the Lawrence Light Guard of Medford "1857"
Fifth Mass Battery (E) Light Artillery, Army of the Potomac "1861"
Second Corps of Cadets Veterans Association, Inc "1785"
Veterans Association First Corps of Cadets "1876"

New Hampshire

Amoskeag Veterans "1854"
Second Company, First New Hampshire Regiment "1775"

New Jersey

*Morris Guards "1887'
*Essex Troop , Inc. "1890"
*Pulaski Cadets "1833"

New York

Veterans Association of the Eighth Regiment, IN, NYARNG "1784"
1st BN, 9th New York Militia (New York Guard) "1786
Veteran Corps of Artillery, State of New York "1790"
Utica Citizens Corps "1808"
258th Field Artillery (Washington Greys) "1809'
2nd BN, 104th New York Militia (New York Guard) "1867"
Old Guard City of New York "1826"
Pulaski Militia of America 1833 , Inc. "1833"
1st BN, 69th Infantry, NYARNG "1846"
Columbian Rifles, 187th Signal Brigade, NYARNG "1848"
Veterans of the Seventh Regiment NYARNG "1859"
Veteran Association of the 71st Regiment, NGSNY "1869"
Veterans of the Ninth Regiment "1871'
Veterans Association of the Thirteenth Regiment, 59th AEF, 254th CA, NYARNG "1874"
Veterans Corps 69th Regiment, Inc "1874"
Veterans Association of the 12th Infantry, NYARNG "1883"
101st Cavalry Veterans Association, NYARNG "1884"
Squadron A Association, (101st Cavalry) "1885"
Squadron C Cavalry Association (101st Cavalry) "1895"
1st BN 47th New York Guard "1862"

North Carolina

Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company "1793"

Pennsylvania

Veteran Guard Third Infantry Regiment NGP "1747"
First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry "1774"
103rd Engineer Battalion, ARNGP, Colonial Company "1777"
State Fencibles Infantry "1813"
Old Guard State Fencibles "1819"
108th Combat Support Hospital (Second Pennsylvania) PARNG "1840"
Old Guard City of Philadelphia "1856"

Rhode Island

Artillery Company of Newport "1741"
Gloucester Light Infantry, R.I.M. "1774"
Kentish Guards, R.I.M. "1774'
Pawtuxet Rangers, R.I.M. "1774"
Varnum Continentals "1775"
Bristol Train of Artillery, R.I.M. "1776"
First Light Infantry Regiment, R.I.M."1818"
The 2nd Rhode Island Regiment of the Continental Line
Federal Blues, R.I.M. "1798"

South Carolina

Headquarters, South Carolina State Guard(South Carolina Defense Force) "1670"
Washington Light Infantry "1807"
Sumter Guards of Charleston, Inc "1819"

Virginia

First Virginia Regiment "1652"
Richmond Light Infantry Blues Veteran Corps "1789"