Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company

Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company

Organized August 23, 1793

"He That Hath No Stomach To This Fight Let Him Depart"

Under President George Washington's administration, On March 5, 1792, Congress passed the Militia Act. The Militia Act, in effect, continued and legalized all of the old colonial and state militia organizations and practices, including the recognition of independent organized militias. Each of the militia companies was authorized one Captain, one Lieutenant and one Ensign.
There was soon talk of war with England and the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry was organized as the European was situation threatened to involve the United States. It was organized on August 23, 1793 and Robert Adam was elected Captain, John Winslow was elected Lieutenant and Robert Cochran was elected Ensign. Throughout its' history the F.I.L.I. has always remained a "corps of gentlemen."
In 1797, shortly after the F.I.L.I. was organized, Isaac Hammond, a free black veteran of the American Revolution, became the first Fifer. According to North Carolina colonial records, Isaac Hammond was a member of Captain Jones' Company in the 10th Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Line. It was his dying request that he be buried on the F.I.L.I. Parade Ground, near the famous Cool Spring, where he could be near the Company, in spirit, that he loved and served so faithfully.