District of Columbia Militia Scrapbook Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of three scrapbooks about the D.C. Militia (National Guard) Engineer Battalion. Materials included in the scrapbooks include: clippings from local and national newspapers, correspondence, programs, flyers, maps, blueprints, and photographs. The scrapbooks are labeled "1890-1898," however, the materials extend to 1906. Each scrapbook contains notes at the beginning regarding the contents.
Dates
- Creation: 1890-1906
Creator
- District of Columbia. Militia (Organization)
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Use
No known restrictions.
Biographical / Historical
The District of Columbia was established by the Organic Act of 1801 with no provisions as to which state militia would be responsible for the city’s security. President Thomas Jefferson realized this vulnerability and created the D.C. Militia with the Assumption Act of 1802. The Militia held its first muster on October 30, 1802 and the officers were hand picked by President Jefferson. Congress officially recognized the organization in 1803. The Militia saw action during the Battle of Bladensburg during the War of 1812. Eventually the outmanned and under funded unit was forced to withdraw and watched as the British Army burned the city. Following the war, Congress increased the size and equipment of the unit and its members have gone on to serve in every conflict since. In 1888 Congress changed the name of the D.C. Militia to the National Guard of the District of Columbia.
Extent
1 Linear feet
3 Boxes
Arrangement
Processed without series.
Custodial History
Gilbert Thompson donated the scrapbooks to the DC Public Library in 1907.
Processing Information
Basic archival processing procedures were applied to the collection when it was processed.
- Title
- District of Columbia Militia Scrapbook Collection
- Subtitle
- An inventory of District of Columbia Militia Scrapbook Collection at DC Public Library
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Ryan P. Semmes.
- Date
- 2006-08
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository