Col. Gideon W. Young of Scituate, who had commanded the 2d Regiment in the train-band brigade, was chosen first commander of the Light Infantry regiment. Col. John Cushing, Jr., of Abington, succeeded Col. Young and served from May 20, 1837, until May 13, 1839. Col. Nahum Reynolds of North Bridgewater came next, receiving his commission Aug. 31, 1839. Col. Henry Dunham of Abington followed on March 25, 1841, being first to receive commission as Colonel of the “3d” Regiment. Presently Col. Dunham was chosen Brigadier General. During the administration of Col. Albert Whitmarsh of Abington, Aug. 1, 1842, to May 1, 1844, new companies were organized in Middleboro and Abington, while the Wareham Grenadiers disappeared from the records. The original New Bedford City Guards were organized in 1842, with Capt. George A. Bourne in command; and in 1846 they became Co. K of the 3d Regiment. During their first year, the Guards paid a visit to the Rifle Rangers of Boston. The occasion inspired someone to compose the “Whaleman’s Quickstep.” While we are not today interested in this as music, still it finds place in all our bibliographies because, on the front cover, it bears a picture of the two companies mustered on Boston Common. The Rifle Rangers stand in line as the New Bedford Guards march past, straight in the direction of the large refreshment tent which bounds the vista. New Bedford’s company paraded in four platoons of eight files--a fact indicative of a large membership. The City Guards were disbanded in 1849. Eliab Ward of Middleboro was Colonel from July 10, 1844, until April 10, 1850, an unusually long term. Elnathan Wilbur of Middleboro was Colonel from May 4, 1850, till Jan. 28, 1853; Col. Stephen Thomas of Middleboro succeeded Col. Wilbur and remained in office from March 12, 1853, until Apr. 8, 1858. While companies were disbanded in Plymouth county, the loss was made good by the formation of new units in Bristol county. On June 29, 1850, the Assonet Light Infantry of Freetown came into existence--a company destined to go to war eleven years later with only twenty-one enlisted men, equipped with ancient bullets which had been moulded for use in suppressing Shays’ rebellion. Yet one of their members was to have the distinction of bringing in, at Fort Monroe, the first three escaped slaves or “contrabands.” July 22, 1852, was the birthday of the new City Guards of New Bedford, commanded by the same Capt. Bourne who led the former company. This organization is today the 4th Company, Mass. C. A. On Feb. 26, 1855, the regiment was redesignated the “3d Regiment of Infantry.”