Elements of the division participated in the suppression of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859, but its members found themselves in a difficult position at the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861.

Many of the citizen volunteers, especially the senior command, wished to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America.

[6] In 1859 elements of the First Light Division, the City Guards, participated in the suppression of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, an abortive attempt to ignite a slave rebellion.

[6] The First Light Division found itself in a difficult position at the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861.

Many of its members, especially the senior command including General Steuart, wished to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America.