There were four regiments of infantry in the 1st Brigade, 5th Division, of the train-band. The Halifax Light Infantry, organized in 1792, attached to the 1st of these, was the first company in the entire district to rise from the condition of militia to that of volunteers; and presently became the senior member of the Light Infantry Regiment. During its long career from 1792 until 1876, the Halifax Light Infantry was always one of the foremost military bodies in Plymouth County, and indeed in the entire state. Capt. Asa Thompson, who commanded in 1814, and who led his men into the 1st Division territory for the purpose of assisting to build and garrison Boston forts, was a giant (a “Saul” in the Scriptural language of the day), six feet, seven inches in stature. The towering head-dress of the times brought his height up to eight feet. As he led his men across South Boston bridge on the way to the forts and duty, every one stopped to look and admire,--and wonder whether the bridge could stand up beneath the load. Alas! Captain Thompson presently fell into disgrace, and was dismissed by court-martial. Oct. 21, 1818, patriotic citizens of Plymouth met and organized a light infantry company, to which they gave the name, Standish Guards, in compliment to the great “Captain of Plymouth.” Coomer Weston was elected Captain, James H. Holmes, Lieutenant, and William Randall, Ensign. Under the drill regulations of the period, the captain marched at the head of the column, the lieutenant at the rear, and the ensign in the center, carrying the flag. The most notable early parade of the Guards occurred on Dec. 22, 1820, when they escorted the Pilgrim Society, and Daniel Webster as orator of the day, in commemoration of the bi-centenary of the Fathers’ landing. To be sure, the date is now known to be one day too late; but no error of detail could prevent the occasion from being one long worth remembering. As regards personnel, the Cape companies did not differ from those in Boston; prosperous merchants and tradesmen and mechanics made up the bulk of their membership; moreover a certain percentage of farmers were enrolled. There was less opportunity for social interchange and less of the stimulus arising from competition, owing to the relative smallness of the cities and towns. But in general the constituent organizations of the 3d Regiment passed thru the same experiences as did their sister companies to the northward. It will therefore not be necessary to repeat the details of events as outlined in previous chapters; we need only speak of those matters which were distinctive of the Cape.