The West Augusta Guard

The Staunton Junior Blues were a boys military company formed in the summer of 1860 to be an outlet for martial training the young men of Staunton.  We offer this same training to our young men today.  They will learn the drill and how to be a soldier.  Preparing the next generation of reenactors for the next great campaign! 

In July of 1860 the Junior Blues were commanded by Captain Robert Lilley, who would end his service in the Confederate Army the rank of Brigadier General. 

Gen. Robert Doak Lilley

This section will list the original members of the Staunton Junior Blues.

Veitch, Wilberforce 1846-1921 VMI Class of 1867

Staunton Spectator

Tuesday, June 25, 1860

Junior Blues

A juvenille military company called the Junior Blues,

lately formed in this place, had their first public parade

on Saturday afternoon last, Capt. Lilley commanding. 

They made quite a handsome appearence. 

 The Staunton Spectator

July 3, 1860

Officers of the Junior Blues

It affords us pleasure to publish the names of the officers of the "Junior Blues",

that interesting juvenille military company composed of boys between the ages of 10 and 15:

J.D. Lilley, Captain;

 L. Harman, 1st Lieutenant;

 R.T. Phillips, 2nd Lieutenant;

 A.H.H. Stuart, Jr., 3rd Lieutenant;

 J.W. Blackburn, 4th Lieutenant;

 C.W. Turner, Orderly Sergeant;

 J.C. Lilley, 2nd Orderly Sergeant;

 J.H. Wayt, 3rd Orderly Sergeant;

 E. Berkeley, Ensign;

 F. Stribling, Surgeon;

 F. Brook, Quartermaster;

J.B. Scherer, 1st Corporal;

 E.C. Kinney, 2nd Corporal;

 C. Stafford, 3rd Corporal;

 J. Scherer, 4th Corporal.

Staunton Spectator

July 10, 1860

The local military companies (the Staunton Artillery, commanded by Lieut. Harman, and the Augusta Guards, commanded by Capt. Baylor)

 paraded and had their arms inspected at the Staunton Armory by the Governor and a number of generals including Brigadier General William H. Harman.

The "Junior Blues," a youth company, also paraded, led by Captain Lilley.