The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-01-21
THE DAILY DISPATCH.


THE DAILY DISPATCH.
Wednesday HIornins, January 2I. 1857,
The Fnyette Artillery. = -
we have been favored with some corresponds
ence with regard to this volunteer company. We
have not room for Il entire, but win CLEAN from Il,
the most interesting of the facts 1t presents, by
way OF continuing the remarks submitted In the
Dispatch of Saturday.
The frat is letter dated oad of May, 1876, from
that worthy gentleman, COL JOHN RuTHrRrooRD.
who was the first commander of the Artillery.
addressed to Col. THos. H. ELLIS, who at the date
Of the letter was captain of the corps From It
we learn that in the month of April, 1921, when
the military spirit Of the State was at low ebb,
the design was formed OF raising An Artillery
company In Richmond. There had been no
such corps in Richmond from the close of the last
war with Great Britain up to that time. On ali
public occasions when salutes were required at the
seat of Government, the Executive was forced to
call on the State Guard to perform the duty. 1t
was believed that an Artillery company would not
only be an ornament to the city regiment, but
particularly efficient should any emergency arise
requiring the services of military force
the military ardor and untirng activity of the late
Capt. JOHN B. RICHARDSON and bis coadjutors in
the undertaking, induced the requisite number to
enlist within few weeks" The organization was
prompt, under the following officers, whose COM
missions were dated on the Goth May, 1921, viz
John Rutherford, Captain; Nathaniel Charter
lst Lieutenant; John B. Richardson, ID Lieuten.
ant; and Samuel Overtop, Sd Lieutenant The
uniform consisted of citizens blue cloth dress
coat with yellow metal buttons, with a double
strip of gold lace on each side of the cape,-plain
blue cloth pautaloons in winter,-wbi'e panta-
looms in summer-white vest-citizen's black hat,
with black silk cockade. with eagle-boots under
the pantaloons-black leather stock-white sword
belt. When frst organized, the company was
armed with artillery swords only, in addition to
their cannon. Subsequently they were armed
also with carbines, which after time were sub
stituted by . pair of pistols as preferable. The
plain uniform was peculiarly suited to designate
the citizen soldier. The commissioned officers
wore chapeaus with white plumes, and the mill
tary coats, &c, usually worn by artillery Off.
GERS.
The muster roll numbered about eighty men, as
long as the plain uniform lasted-about eighteen
months. When it was changed for = more expen>
sive dress, the list fell off The change consisted
of blue coat, more highly ornamented with but
tons and lace; leather bell-crowned caps, highly
vanished, with brass trimmings of scales, plate
stamped with eagle, cannon, &c.-white plume for
parade black pompogn, tipped with yellew, for or.
dinary irlls-brass scales or wings for shoulders.
This uniform continued for many years, and though
its introduction weakened the ranks, they soon
picked up again. The company made fine mill
tary appearance, was much complimented at the
celebration in honor of Lafayette at Yorktown, in
1924 and its Captain was, by the order of General
Taylor, naMed to command oil the artillery pre-
sent on that memorable occasion; but he was not
able to be present to take the honorable position.
1t was in compliment to Lafayette, that on the
year he visited the United States the company
took the name of Richmond Fayette Artillery
Under the order of the Governor, they promptly
repaire to Southampton, Immediately after the
insurrection there, and this well as on other
occasions Of different kind, when visiting other
parts Of the State, they acquired much credit for
their correct department. good discipline, and high
military bearing. They always celebrated the
national anniversaries, 4th Of July and 22d Feb.
ruary, and their own of the 29th May, with enthu
siasm. They sometimes Joined other volunteers
on festive occasions, and the intercourse between
them was ever marked by the courtesy which cha.
racterises the true military spirit One of the
most delightful and exhilara a,iug occasions of this
kind, was the dinner given by the Artillery, at
C.arke's Spring. to the Dragons, under Captain
Harrison.
Among the interesting events in the history of
the company, was the presentation of sword, at
the Yorktown celebration, to Lieut.. Commandant
John B. Richardson, by the Committee of Ar
rangements, or portion Of the officers there as.
sembed. The company subsequently presented
to the same gentleman, whil their Captain, a
piece of plate.
Jypon the promotion OF Col. RUTHERF ooRD to
the rank of Lieut.. Colonel of the Regiment, the
Artillery gave him a valedic.-ry diuner, and pre-
sented him with q silver pitcher.
In the correspondence is letter from General
WIN. H. RICHARDSON to Colonel Ellis. reel ing
many of the particulars give in that from Colonel
Rutherford Gen. R. says If the Artillery:
"Wlilst 1t has made parade Of pretension, it has
always been as Efficient and prompt at the call of
duty as any have ever known, and have every
reason to believe that at II, time (March 1e46)
it is the very best company of Artillery in the
State CT Virginia; indeed 1 do not know one equal
military knowledge aud such rigid di,ciplinarian
that his Judgment In this case may be set down
as very high authority.
Another letter is from Major HYDE, who at one
time commanded the artillery. He bears testi'
nony to its high military character aud also to the
excellence of its target practice He mentions
one instance of its practice in Chesterfield
below Rice's Mill, when at 700 yards more than
two-thrds Of the balls struck the target!"
In August 1s45, the services of the company,
we're rendered to the U. s. Government, for the
Mexican war, under a resolution adopted with but
one dissenting voice. The letter of Capt Ellis to
the Secretary of War, Mr.. Marcy, rendering the
services of the company Is creditable to the Cap
tain and his company, for the public spirit and
patriotism 1t expresses. The offer was at the time
declined, because the President was not Authoriz.
ed to take into the service volunteers
!. We trust that company, which has In Its past
history exhibited such creditable military ardor
aud patriotism, may not Iinger and decline for the
want of proper support. Il Is commanded by q
young officer of decided military talent. of one
Of its former Captains, who was one of the most
sfyscient and popular officers il ever had Ii bas