One of the oldest National Guard units in the United States, the Washington Artillery [by that name] traces its origins back to 1819, although it may have descended from an earlier military unit in New Orleans.

The unit first saw combat during the Mexican War. The 1st through 4th Companies saw combat in every major campaign of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, and the 5th Company saw combat in every major campaign in the Western theatre, from Shiloh to the final battles in Alabama.

The unit was mobilized during the war with Spain in 1898 but saw no action. It served on the Mexican Border in 1916-1917 in support of Pershing's Punitive Expedition, and saw action in France during WW1 [by this time it was officially known as the 141st Field Artillery Regiment].

It saw combat action in the Italian campaign during WW2, and continues as an active unit of the Louisiana National Guard to this day.

In 2012, Shorpy showed us the Cathedral housing the

Washington Artillery as a Buick dealership, with the regiment long gone, before final demolition in 1952

Before the more well-known green Perley streetcars, the St. Charles line used Ford, Bacon & Davis cars, built in the 1890s.

Here's of the one remaining FB&D cars, next to a traditional Perley of the 1920s. Also a great article, explaining the history.

https://gonola.com/things-to-do-in-new-orleans/history/nola-history-the-...