The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-01-28
LOCAL MATTERS.


THE STATE GuARp-This fine, highly disciplined
body of citizen sodiery organized in 1901, pur-
suant to an act of the Legislature passed the 22d OF
January, in that year, and has long been source OF
pride to our citizens. Prior to that period, on the
23d of January. 1893, the Armory and Arsenal Bill
was enacted, and it for the protection of the
arms contained in this Armory, and other public
property in this city, that the Guard organized
Some contend that the Armory established first,
and the Guard next grew out of the excitement and
feeling of opposition that sprung up during Adams
administration towards the General Government
because of the passage of the Alien aud Sedihon
Laws. When it is considered, however, that the
Armory Bill was passed in January, l79s-six
| months before the passage of the Alien and Sedton
Laws in June and July 17S8-and at time when
Adams administration was not particularly OBJ
noxious-and that the Guard was not instituted until
after the Alien and Sedition Laws had expired OF
their limitation, this supposition is certainly not
clearly established or well founded. We shall not
pause to discuss here, however in mere local para
graph the origin of the Armory and State Guard
Suffice it to say that the State Guard constituted
in 1901 of captain, lieutenans sergeants, cor
porals, musicians, and 20 privates. The pay per
month, exclusive of clothing and rations, as fol
lows Captain, $40; LIST Lieutenant $50; I'd Lieu
| tenant $40; Sergeants, $40; Corporals and Must
clans, &c. rivates, SO. An act continuing the pro-
visions in regard to this Guard passed 18th jan
uaxy 1906 and another act pertaining to it and the
Armory, we believe in 1922. The members en-
listed for thr ee years, although Capt. Dimmock is
vested with discretionary power to discharge sooner
if necessary. When honorably discharged at the
end of their terms of enlistment each private re-
ceives SIS, &C., and during their enlistment they
have, when necessary, first rate medical attendance.
They are subject to the orders of the Governor,
and the rules regulations and punishment prescribed
in the regular army, except that Of DEATH which shall
not be inflicted A courtmartia to try member must
consist of three officers Formerly it was customary,
as one mode of punishment to ride the soldiers on
wooden horses; this was at period when their
character VIGOROUSLY bad, out since the corps
has been under the command of Capt Dimmock,
ithss undergone entire change in Experiment and
punishment While speaking of the wooden horse
punishment (which consisted in placing private upon
sharp woodenbacked horse, and then tying his legs
underneath the horses belly-a most infamous and
barbarous punishment-we trust we may be par
doned for here referring to anecdote, illustrating
the estimation in which it held during the last
war with Great Britain. At that period in 1918, Col
Green, who commanded Virginia battalion, located
near Norfolk caused wooden horse to be made for
the punishment ofthe soldiers The carpenter on re-
turning it. presented it to the Colonel with the fol-
| lowing couplet
" 1t was with grief | made him.
And the wood was green.
Therefore call him Grief Green"
Their punishment now consists in tie more hu-
| name mode OF solitary confinement upon bread and
| water-though even that is but seldom necessary
Capt. Dimmock, by untiiing exertion, has infused
into the corps spirit of order, sobriety and indus
try of the most marked character-and it embraces
many gentlemen of intelligence and means. In
bringing this somewhat desultory and necessarily
sketching article a close would say that their
duties consist in mounting guard at the Arsenal, the
Dollhouse, the Capitol and the Penitentary They
have, of course to be ready for any emergency
Of insurrection or fire. Whenever the Dollhouse
rings out alarm of fire, they are required to pa
radein the Armory Square within few minutes at
the alarm is given, under penalty of confinement
This preparation and readiness is necessary to their
efficiency. They are on guard only every other
day, and have opportunities therefore, for making
money in addition to their regular pay, and this they
do by manufacturing boots and shoes, realizing
OF them, 81 per day. They have neat and commo-
dious chapel in which to worship at the Armory,
and suitable books-another evidence of Capt Dim
mocks attention not only to the military discipline
OF his men, but to their mental and spiritual discip
line First, Lieut. Z. 5. Gay, and secondly, I'd
Lieut. A. c. Lane, associated with Can't D. in the
| administration of the corps, are gentlemen thor
roughly familiar with their military duties and who,
by their urbane demeauor towards friends and visi.
| tiers, have won the kindliest and respectful
feelings of the denzens of our city aud the State