Early Life of Lexington Before the Year 1820
Military Organisations
Early Lexington believed in preparedness. The proximity of her foes kept her constantly ready for any military service that she might be called upon to fulfill. As a centrally located point, the city was the general mustering ground of the state (Sept. 19, 1789), and the meeting place for the commanding officers of the different counties in the district of Kentucky (Feb. 5, 1791). It was a common sight in those days to see several companies parading in full uniform on the public square (May 10, 1794). In 1803 an article in the newspaper entitled “Worthy of Imitation” called attention to the parading of Capt. Wyatt's militia and Capt. Postlethwaite's company of light infantry (Nov. 22, 1803). In 1819 the Lexington Independent Light Infantry was holding morning drills at five o'clock at the arsenal on Cheapside (June 11, 1819) —the regimental arsenal at this time was located on Main Street (Mar. 3, 1820).
Among the various kinds of troops were the Lexington Light Infantry (Jan. 29, 1816); the Fayette troop of light horses (Mar. 22, 1797); the Lexington troop of cavalry (Aug. 15, 1814); the Lexington horse guards (Apr. 18, 1814); and the Mississiniway cavalry (Mar. 13, 1815). During the war of 1812 there were many volunteer companies (May 9 & 26, 1812; Feb. 6, 1813). At the departure of the fifth regiment of Kentucky volunteers, under Lieut. Lewis, one citizen stated that never in former times had there been so large a number of people in town (Aug. 18, 1811).
The merchants of the town kept in stock all the necessary equipment for the troops (Aug. 24, 1793).
In 1816 Joseph Hollis, who had given lessons on the German flute and fife for ten or twelve years in New York and Philadelphia, opened a military music school. His own opinion of the need of music in the army is stated thus, “the want of military music is much felt by everyone, who knows the effect of the soul-stirring drum and piercing fife on the heart of the soldier” (Aug. 24, 1793).
In 1814 Major R.J. Dunn, late principal of the Philadelphia Military Academy started a similar academy in Lexington. This gentleman taught “cavalry and infantry discipline as adopted for the United States army, broad-sword exercise, and cut and thrust with the principles of attack and defence against cavalry and infantry on foot and also on horseback at full speed” (July 25, 1814).
Companies must have vied with each other in their markmanship. In 1816 a very peculiar shooting match was advertised to be held at Manchester, adjoining Lexington. The prize was a lot and a two-story brick house, with a stone smith-house, all valued at $3,000.00, or 30 shots at $100.00 each at 60 yards off. The captains of the companies were requested to subscribe one shot, and send their best marksman (Feb. 12, 1816).
Delcamp, Mary Estelle. Early Life of Lexington Before the Year 1820. Transylvania University, 1916.
Transcribed by P. Brinegar.
Updated January 7, 2026.