Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-06-12
The Council then adjourned.


Ractmond Grays-Anniuersary Celebration.
This spirited and well-disciplined corps, under
command of Capt. w. NJ Elliott, celebrated their
9Th anniversary on Thursday last in the beautiful
"Clarke's Spring.
The corps paraded about o'clock, on the
morning of the anniversary, on Broad street, and
formed in front of the City Hall. They then
marched up Broad to 1st sreet, down 1st to Cary
street, and up that street to the Plank Road, and
from thence across the fields to the place selected
for the ceremonies. Shortly after reaching the
grove, the company was dismissed, when all pre-
sent partook of Refreshments spread out upon a
table under the trees. The Captain then gave
directions relative to the order of exercises stat
Ing that about noon the men would, at the tap of
the drum, again form for the purpose of target
practice. All were thus left free to seek anuse-
ment in the mode best suited to their individual
tastes. Some plunged iuto the forests hardly for
stockholders entered the enclosure surround
ing Hollywood cemetery, and rambled over this
beautiful "city of the dead-whilst others again
sought recreation and amusement in the manly
pastime of quoits
The day was surprisingly lovely-not cloud
obscuring the rays of the cheerful sun ;-the
temperature too delightfully."- cool and pleasant
a fine breeze from the south west prevailing
throughout the whole day, rendering walk
through the green fields, unshetered from the
rays OF the sun, not only pleasant but really de-
lightful. When we add to these, the recollection
that it was the 10th June, season when fields
and woods are clothed in all their honours-when
wild birds carol cheeriy in the forests, and flow
ers adorn every dell-the reader will readily per-
ceive that all who participated in this anniversary
celebration, found themselves surrounded by eve
ny natural adjunct to enjoyment.
Between the hours of twelve and one O'Clock,
the drum beat to arms-the line was again form
ed-when the Captain ordered his men to pre-
pare for target practice. After firing three rounds
Lit. Crawford was declared be to the victor and to
him was awarded the medal, though the ceremony
of presentation was deferred until later hour
in the day. The target was placed near the bank
of the reservoir, distant eighty yards from tho
point where the firing took place, and better shoot
ing with muskets we have never witnessed. The
competition for the medal was IN ost spirited, and
for some time it seemed almost impossible to
determine who would prove to be the VICTOR
Should it ever be the fortune of this gallant corps
to encounter the foes of their country the bat
tie field, wo betide the division which shall OPP
pose them-at every fusilade scores of them
would bite the dust.
After the contest for the medal had been decided,
the company again dismissed, with Instructions
to prepare for dinner. About three o'clock all
present. including few invited guests, sat down
to an excellent and substantial dinner, which was
discussed with much zest--the active and divers-
fed exercises of the forenoon giving all present
keen relish for the good things so bountifully
spread before them. Dinner over, private Miles
T. Phillips was called upon for song and COM
poral Brown-better known as "Yankee Brown"
for story. Both gentlemen cheerfuly cor
piled with the requests made, each in turn afford
ing much enjoyment by the exercise ofhis peculiar
talents. Subsequently Mr.. Mayo was called upon
for speech-then Mr.. ]. H. Gilmer, Col. Spald-
ing and others-all ofwhom responded in the
happiest manner. After the s. feast of
son." cotillon party was formed and many
tripped it the eight, fantastic toe" to the mel
odious strains of strnged and other musical instru
ments. Thus pleasantly engaged the afternoon
imperceptibly wore away. The heightened shad-
ows ofthe trees at length admonished the CAPTAIN
of the necessity of performing the ceremony of
presenting the medal to 1t. Crawford. He accor
dinghy ordered the line to be formed, and then re-
quested Mr.. ]. H, Gimer to present it in the
name of the corps, to the fortunate gentleman who
had won it. 1t is scarcely necessary to say that
Mr.. G. performed this service in the handsom-
est manner-or that Mr.. Mayo, who represen-
ted Lit Crawford, responded in terms we'll suited
to IL o occasion. Both gentlemen are too we'll
and favorably known in this community to render
it necessary for us to say that they invested the
occasion with charm which true oratory alone 10
capable of exerting.
Shortly afterwards the corps, accompanied by
their guests, took up the line of march forhe city,
which they entered about sunset
In closing this imperfect sketch, we may be
permitted to remark, that we experienced one
and only one, aay to the happiness of the &C.
casion This was produced by the reflection,
that in city as large ours, and where, too,