The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-05-12
LOCAL MATTERS.
RICHMOND LIGHT INFANTRY BLUES.

Spring. The excellent turnout, displaying some
forty odd members, the largest parade for many
seasons gave ample surety of the fact that though
old In years, 1t was young In spirit and activity
and returning to its ancient landmarks of strength
and efficiency. The new administration is certain.
ly pattern one, and has infused new life into
this honorable organization. The morning was
propitious, and the country seat of The Blues was
found upon their arrival, budding and blooming in
beauty; the giant canopies of the groves turning
ehectually aside sols hot and piercing gances.-
The target was soon made the butt of musketry and
the medal was won by Mr.. Edward Davis To MIR.
HughsR. Peasants was accorded the task of present
ing the medal. He said
am requested by Captain Patton. in the name of
the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, to present you
this medal the just reward O.. your supeor skill
OF ire arms as this, 1t is slight achievement to
have come OH victorious over many competitors;
and the qualification it must afford you is doubt en-
HANGED by the reflection, that it is the superior pre-
cislon with which they fire that distinguishes the
American Infantry from all others. do not mean to
say that they are not good at the bayonet-history
the palm with them in this particular, in the deadly
effect of their fire they have rivals An anecdote,
newspaper controversy having occurred, few
years since with regard to the precise locality in
which the celebrated Star Spangled Banner was
written Mr. John S. Skinner who had been on board
the British fleet with Mr. Francis s. Key the author,
during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, and who
therefore better able than any body else to testify
to the factf, called to do In his etteri1 re-
ply, he mentioned incidentally, that he and Mr.. Key
during their detention dned board of the
in company with General Ross who was very polite
and very communicative. The conversation turning
upon the late expedition Washington and the bat
tie of Badensburg General Ross spoke of the uncom-
mon skill of the militia marksmen. He said, that
hal tioh chad1
them, though on the point of breaklug to rum they
gave fire. which surpassed in the deadiness off
execution all that he had ever seen in his long exPe
rence in the Peninsula and other parts of the world.
He declared that, mad they possessed the rmness to
maintain their ground long enough to have de-
lvered three such fires, the British veterans must in
evtaby have given way for that there were no troops
in Europe that could have stood it.
Such is the most striking peculiarly of the Anne
ncan soldier Even In the hands of raw militia, the
musket is deadly instrument. In the hands OF
trained volunteers who the bayonet well as We
terans, and who fire, every man OF them, as well as
the militia, 1t makes an American army superior to
all others.
take pride and pleasure in presenting you with
this evidence OF your skill.
Captain Patton, at the request of Mr.. Davis, r.
piled as follows, in his behalf:
In response to what has fallen from you sir, in
discharging the task of presenting our successful
marksman with the prize which the Company
offers for such success the wixner has called upon
me to reply for him. Had he given me an hours
notice OF his intention, should have regarded the
compliment perhaps more kindly. | think may
say, though unrequested by him, that in conse.
quence of the embarrassment which suddenly
overcame him when he commenced to make a
speech, he called upon me to represent him,
| and that that embarrassment arose from the fact
| that the spectators around, expected from him
| something of hit Speaking was not his forts he
said, and he thought he could net make nlt-but,
sir point to his hit upon that board, and ask it
that is not a most appropriate response, and a
marked evidence of q most decided hit! daughter
| and applause)
The company then filed of and broke line. The
| honorary members and guests having all arrived
at about 81 O'Clock, the entire assembly, in the
most convivial mood, sat down to the sumptuous
| dinner prepared in Mr. C. Thompson's most unex.
ceptionable STYLE Charley T. and Jack T. Ger.
tainly were up to their rs in business
Captain Patton set the speaking ball in mo.on
by reading apologetic letters from invited guests
unable to attend: Major Selden, Col Tompkins
| Captain Dimmock, 1t De Lagnel and Messrs w Y
leopard, J Jones, E Welsh, T Lambert, P John.
ston, ] M Sheppard and A Paul. French Consul
| Mr. w. F. Watson naively remarked, ON hearing
the last letter read, that 1t might with proprety
be termed Pauls epistle, and Major August sug'
| gested "to the ram-uns" (Romans).
| The regular toasts were then read.
l. oar Anniversary The history of the past af-
fords the best guaranty for the success OF the tu
ture.
| Music-Bold Soldier Boy.
2. Our Old Captains We honor the memory
| of the dead-the living, we grspple to our souls
| with hooks of steel
Music-Auld Lang Syne.
Captain G. w. Mumford simply responded by
| giving the following toast: The oldest company
in the State of ViIgna-prosperity to it as corps,
success and happiness to every one of its members,
| and the kindest and most reverential feelings for
| their wives. children and friends.
| Captain Bigger followed, saying, "That is a cap.
TAIN but this is Bigger" daughter and applause
will give you The Blues:-May the return OF this
day find in you, ranks one hundred true and good
members.
3. Our Honoriry Members We greet them with
| pride and pleasure at our festive board.
MIN Bots was then loudly called for. He
replied 81 thiik may say that am the worst
shaped and the worst fitted man of this company
for dinner speech. If | could set pattern for a
public speech, l had the warmth of an august
sun, if ] had anything pleasant about me, or if l
were bigger nan, then might make satisfactory
speech. (Chetrs and laughter) Speaking, may
say, is no longer part of my vocation. "Othellos
occupation 3 gone" (Laughter.) 1t has been a
long time sine first associated with this company
as one of its MEMBERS but from that day to the
present, permit me to assure you, that in all my
feelings hsse never ceased to feel interest in
the success of this, the oldest volunteer corps in
the State o. Virginia; not only the oldest, but as
far as my knowledge extends, without meaning
any Displacement to any other company, the best
and mos, respectable | have ever known
(Cheers,) 1t has been thirty odd years-I am sor.
~ to mate the acknowledgment (smiles) since
l first BECAME a member of the Blues, then under
the command of Captain Murphy. In conclusion,
gentle1en, permit me to give you the memory of
one of ihe finest gentlemen and best officers ever
knew Captain William Finney. Drank standing,
and iIslence)
Thi fourth regular toast, "The President of the
UnitA States" and the fifth. 1.-THE Governor of vr.
ginis "a worthy successor of Henry and Mellow.
ell, were then read, WITH music.
6IThe Sons of the South and the Rights of the
Sofh: The former are ever ready to defend the
LATER.
Captain J. NJ. Patton, ST., made some pertinent
NJ