Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-09
CELEBRATION oF FOURTH JULY
BY THE WASHINGTON GRENADIERS.

This Company partook freely OF the enthusiasm
and spirit which characterized the celebration OF the
6oih Anniversary of American Independence, in
Richmond, and each return Of the day will bring
With II associations oftke ivelest character FORM
ing new era in the history ofthe corps. For some
time past the ranks of the Grenaders had been
thin, bu, on this occasion they surpassed themselves
threw of sleeps dewy wand" and like gallant
soldiers came to The rescue OF their hag and bore it
aIon monty. Every cap (of the uniformly in the city
OF Sta'e, was IN requsit'oo, evidence Of the zeal
that animated the descendants Of the "old 81" This
term will be understood by those who STOOD "shoul
der TO shoulder" in the earlier days OF the Corps
! two Of whom ye; stand by their flag, as they have
lone through "weal or woe" But all will no,
comprehend II DEPRESSION, by way OF u hasty
glance at the history of the Company, may not be
Inappropriate.
The Grenndiers date their commission from the
memorable Southampton lnsurreciion Of 1881. The
company was then formed as rifle Company"
and took the lame ofIhe "Washingion Ride Corps"
numbering IN It's ranks the "best blood" Of our
tropoliian youth; Capt. William II. Richardson
now Adju,ant General Of the State, was selected as
hidre tliureR,1 HGss5mbS6yI rss.S,m@and, tby
rs ranks from The original "a" to some 6u o. vs.
Capt. Richardson held the command up 10 1856.
men lad down his commlssOn-honored as an OF
nee! and lamented for his loss TO the company.
The company partially declined after his resisna-
ton but soon rallied under Capt James w. Dibrell,
Ito whom the command was tendered) and was re-
stored again TO its pristine visor Captain Dibrell
commanded the company with great spirit, il reach
ing, possibly, It's most G1urshng condition under
him, until his health forced him to resign in 1889
The command then, was tendersd - osP'uin James
Lyons. Undsr c-ps Lyons, the Corps was cham
sd 90 n eomp1ny Of Light Infantry, and took the
name II now bears: the "W Washington Grenadiers -
Captain Lyons commanded, in the midst Of his
pubic and professional life, with all the spirit VIII ch
the interest and pride he took in the company in-
spreo, but his arduous professional duties constran
Cd nm TO resign his command on the 9Th June last
shocked 10y this blow, II was doubtful whether the
company would rally again. a hope still fingered
however, and brand snlichsd from the altar of the
"old "a" soon bazed forth and dispeled III. mist
OF doubt ond fear In casting around tor a le der
one Hhfidual was seen upon whom the desiines Of
the company hung. To that individual the CON-
mand was ,onderei on the 2s.h June, accented.
and on the 4ih OF July, Joseph Il. Anderson. Z. q
was unanimously elected, Commissioned ouaiih'd
and took c'mmandwiIh 10 IN rank AM file. an even,
which has not occurred in the history of our State
o-iore. Under command OF Capt. Anderson the
company cannot fail 10 flourish. Il will also be-
come school for the solder; and an appeal is
made 10 the young men TO rally around our 6lo.
as well a'hil the ranks Of our brother volunteers.
THE CELEBRATION.
The Grenadiers assembled at Military Hal q,
eight o'clock on the morning Of the 4,h, where they
were ordered by Col. Darlington for the purpose Of
eiecting Captain. The Colonel politeiy attended
az the hour appointed, and superntended The cleo
'''Hs if'h tNcUce tnty matched 10 Can't. Auder.
sons residence under the Lieut.. Cnm'dt. ~ Au.
gnsti who surrendered his command a. follows:
Capt. .4nders0n-On behalf Of the non comnis-
stoned cihcers and privates Of the Warrington
Grenadiers, have the pleasure to announce 10 Won
Uht ihey nave this morning UnIHimously elected
YOU IN their command. For myself SIR and nv
bro'l or officers, who had not the horor of casting
our votes on this occasion, most cordially do we
welcome you among Us. W. pledge Ourselves to
use our best exeriions and abilities to aid and sup
port you ~ the command which an now most
cheeHuliy about to surrender 10 your hands 10
which you hive on this day, the anniversary Of onr
coun'ry's Independence, been elected Commissioned
and qDnlifcd This circumstance, we trust. will
exert upon the company. thsi happy influence Of
which ii should be embiemitical, and render youf
command 10th a pleasant and prosperous one to
y urself and company.
To which Capt Anderson replied.
LisWsnan' 9ugusi- accent with pleasure Tie
eomna1 20 which have this dsy been elected by
the unanimous voco Of the nor-rornmi, stoned ofT
ee.s and prvaies Of the "washngton Grenediers.' -
and neg you 10 convey n hem ny most sincere &c
knowledsmeni for thu honor hey have done me-
TO your broher officers md IN you, I tender nv
warmest thanks Tor the frank and hearty welcome
With which have been greeted, and cordially re-
eP,oeate your "ihoi for the prosperity Of n il corps.
on have alluded 10 the h8llowed renembrarcss
OF that Day which WINS the beRinniog ofour na,;onol
existence. Let the Washington GrcnadiersD ever
bo'r in mind that glorious day, end on this ls on.
/ h'vor.afy, hfmly resolve 70 te ready when dan .
ger thfeattns 70 did efeeiually in maintaining our
natonl freedom, won by the vaor Of our ances.
/ tors. lndulging in reflections like these md re.
membering that promptneSs md good discipline are
essential qualities n the soldier, This eaan, corn,
cannot Tell 10 realize our most sanguine antcip,-
tons. To make il OIL iha, you. Sir ire origiosi
member and faithful Office, would wish Il In IT, I
eheeriully pledge my personal Efforts, confident Of
the hearty corporation q both officers and men
! Capt Anderson then assumed the command. and
the Company repaired 10 the Square, j,ined in the
| noon salute, and left 10 porioke Of the cheerful
/ board awaiting them nt the Exohange Hotel, und,
tho auspices Of the untiring Boydcn Afer a SUNNI
iuous repaai, the cloth wos removed, and amiJs,
hhan'y md hearty good cheer, the following toasts
were drunk
REGULAR TOASTs.
! ]. The Day Rich in associations, ard bsllowed
/ 70 tho votaries Of Freedom.
| Gus.
;. Lafayette kindred spirit Of Washington
Our hearts aites, the love we bear him-his me
nOfy ceases with time.
4. The Presidentof the United States.
Il H. Ali rrTaH