The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-07-06

Company F-This deservedIy popular CORPS
after the dismissal of the Regiment {, proceeded
to the Richmond and Fredericks burg Railroad
Depot. accompanied by the officers and staff of
the First Regiment, and getting on board an
extra train, were soon conveyed 10 the Fair
Grounds OF the Central Agricultural Society
where they had arranged to spend the day
Alter giving the members an opportunity TO
examine the improvements. and to enjoy for
the time stroll IN the shady groves, the line
was formed, and arrangements made for the
"brst target practice" Unknown to many OF
the members, their officers had had prepared 4
beautiful and costly badge TO be shot tor, a de-
scription of which we give
Inc baoge is OF crimson ribbon, about three
inches long, and is 10 be worn on the breast.
AT the top of it is a rich gold slide and pin
with tn inscription, Fortuna, Favet. Forti-
bus.'' One inch below this is the letter "F,''
OF gold, richly set with diamonds. And at the
bottom Is gold slide, with golden tasseis
pending from either corner.
Alter each member had had three shots, it
was ascertained that private ]. II. ANDERSON
(who was on the sick list, and not on parade, }
mad proved the successful competitor, and was
called up to receive the reward of his skill.
Col. TRos. p. AUGUsT. en- behalf of the
officers, then presen ted the badge, In the fol-
lowing appropriate remarks:
History informs us hat games and combats M ads
part of the religion. and had share in most q |
he es'Ivais of the ancehts. Before the inven-
ton oi hre arms the. were introduced among tho
waIllke nations or ANTIQUITY, as proper pfepara
ton tor the profession OF arms, b. holding out to
tAe young the nonors ana rewards decreed tn tte
victors to stimulate their ambition. and inilame
their 10 OF glory and distinction, and at the same
time to enure the bod 10 fatigue, and to sive
trepidit, Ill a close f. sht, IN which SD much de-
penued upon BODILY strength.
The great heroes OF antiquity, whose IS brows
were bound with victorious wreaths, twIDed by
lusttious pu c service. did not deem il unwoI thy
OF their TO enter the lists
the honors OF these games and combats Inc
chapietS awarded III tn wei worn with less
pTl Ie than those which had been decreed them or
dong the State service and contributed but little
less, IN tnelr estlmatlon to the securemen OF that
eternity oi fame Tor which they SO much thlIsted,
and to the perpetuatIon of which the poets and
seu pors OF old freely gave the of their
genius themselves content with the tieceo glory
Of the deeds which .heJ comlnemorated by the
hlg hest sHJIts OF their respective arts.
The ancient idea of preparation for war by ath-
letc exercises time OF peace, has, IN Inodern
lmes, teen revived; and these exercises are hid
by the tactcians OF the present DAY TO be matters
of prime necessity.
however thus may be, we know that, since the
invention Of hIe arms. all military people have
regarded 1t as lndlspensabiy necessary to success
that sold ers should be made thoroughly to under
staId, and To acqulre the highest skull in tine use
OF the arms put into theli hands for the puDlc de-
fence, and Ia every we'll rec nlated army tarset
praetlc h s become one of ,he most interesting <
and important duiles OF the soldier.
Ia limitation OF the practice thus sanctioned, the
CON- am 81 which, today you are the most dls,
troph, an annual tes,iu onla of its appreciation
OF the HI hest skull as n ma ksnaa. In the CON
test to-day. earnest and close 1t has Ueen, by
the unanimous voices OF our companions, you
have been declared vlot'r, and the worthy recpl-
ent oi this dIstIn- ulSnns and beautiful badge
now place 1t upun your breast, and know w II
iJ with that JOY which every true so0ier viii
aDprec ate it is the lie ter of sour company IN
d tmond, and as It flashes the suai ,ht may it S
pare Iays lead you the effort the first sol
deI oI this First Re<iment- hfst In The t &c
of al! the dulles OF owe To your God, your oun
try, and your neIs hbUr. 1t is Ih initial of Fame
and Fortune let II prompt you ID the pursuit "f
these by the empo. nent of ali the meaos JusI q
lS hpnors laws. 1t is the init ii OF FrIeGdsaIp,
Fortltude anu Fldeiity-let 1t remind you TO &C
tIce these ddJIns Jour march through lfs. 1t is
the init al ot Faith, the snieid OF Toe Christian
ne darts of the wicked" Oh. ct lt remind sou
above all things t. have faith in tue great Ca >
tam of your saivatlon-orac5 thai faith a ID
it will guI6e you saiev tn -ough the rufflln. sto ms
lad swelling OF this life ano obi, ain Tor y. In
rne life to come hlsh position IN the army ui
The Almighty and place upon your head lew
siled crown that shall flash with eternal and un-
ceasIng radiance pass, with countless hosts
IN grand review before the Ma est, of Heaven.
The second prize, a leathern medal for the
worst shot, was awarded 10 private Etling. in
an amusing speech, which the recipient en-
joyed as much as his fellow soldiers and which
added no little to the pleasures of the occasion
The Company and guests partook OF an ex-
callent dinner provided for them; and at a
late hour in the afternoon marched into the
city and were dismissed, having celebrated
the saith anniversary in very agreeable and
rational manner.