The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-08
LOCAL: MATTERS.

Yesterday morning at 10 O'Clock the Public
Guard met at their armory, in pursuance Of
orders from military headquarters, to be
disbanded. The arms and accoutrements
of the company were turned over to Gene
raj Richardson by Captain Gay. General
Richardson being introduced to the Guard,
said that in mastering the company out
he had performed one Of the saddest and
most painful duties of his life. He had
known the Guard through, long series Of
years, end had noted it's general good con-
duct, and he would now bear testimony to
the uniform honesty and sobriety of its
members. In conclusion, he counselled
them. to be good citizens for the future, as
they had in the past been good soldiers.
The following was then addressed to
Captain Gay: sR4at1,@s
"Captain Gay,-On last evening meeting
Of the Public Guard was held at the Virginia
Armory. Through their chairman, Sergeant
S. T. Sullivan, n committee consisting OF Ser
geants F. J.. Bullock, E. w. Drew, J. Shields
Beard, and j. W. Carr, was appointed to
draft resolutions expressing the unanimous
voice of the Public Guard toward yourself
and Lieutenant Coleman for the many kind
nesses received at your hands. The committee
reported the following:
& Resolued, That we will ever cherish with
grateful recollections the impartiality and
kindness which have characterized Captain
Gay and Lieutenant Coleman in their official
relations with the members Of the corps.
"Resolued That we tender our venerable
and esteemed commander, and to our consid-
crate Lieutenant Coleman, onr best wishes for
their future welfare and happiness"
Lieutenant Coleman being called upon,
briefly bade the company an afectionate
goodbye. .,.
Captain Gay, in response to call, ex-
pressed his thanks for the honor that had
been paid hin. he hoped that the mem
they had closed their military career. he
trusted that the movement disbanding
them might turn out to be for the best. He
advised them to let by-gones be by-gones,
to let politics alone,' and to devote them
selves to useful pursuits.
Ed. s. Gay, Jr., formerly orderly SER
geant of the company, being called upon,
expressed himself in brief and feeling
manner. ..--.-..
Lieutenant Poynor was called for, and
spoke of the sadness which the occasion
gave him. He was aware that he had enc
mics among the Guard, bat he was con-
scious that he had always done his duty
as On officer. It was an unfailing source OF
bitter regret to him that he had in an evil
moment consented to grasp by the hand
those adventures who were seeking the
destruction of the State. He was impelled
to this by urgent ecessity starvation was
staring him and those he loved most IN the
face. He thanked God, however, that his
better judgment had prevailed. He had
repented the step, and was determined in
the future to act as true Virginian and
an honest man. There were three men
living who could testify to the fact that
when the commission of his venerable and
respected commander was profered him he
rejected it with scorn.
Sergeant Eve addressed the company
briefly, and bade it an afectionate farewell.
The company was then disbanded.
Subsequent Meeting of the Guard.-
After the disbandment meeting Of the
Guard was called by Lieutenant Poynor's
friends. The following is an official report
of the proceedings:
cat a meeting held January 7, 1869, at the
of the members of the Public Guard were
present. a committee was appointed-consist- t.
ing of Messrs. q. B. Childress (chairman),
E. A. Baugh (secretary), R. I. Lambert, and
John ]. Har1oW-to draft the following reso-
lutions which were unanimously adopted;
"Resolped That Lieutenant Poynor has per
formed his duties as an officer of the Public
Guard in soldierly and gentlemanly man
ner.
RESOLVED, That any resolutions drawn pre-
judicial TO, or rejecting on, Lieutenant Poy-
nor, we heartily disapprove; and whilst we
approve the compliments to Captain Gay and
Lieutenant Coleman, we censure the disre-
spectfui neglect of Lieutenant Poynor.
"ReSolued, That Lieutenat Poyner having
publicly and repeatedly renounced the false
step he took, we consider it unmanly and bar
baric to persistently cultivate by cones, and
especially in his case, on account of his youth
and inexperience.
"Resolued, That the resolutions showing dis
respect to Lieutenant Poynor by utterly
neglecting to mention him therein Were gotten
up without the knowledge of the majority OF
the members of the Public Guard. %
"Resolosd, That he has our best wishes, and
that his journey through life may have the
attendance Of health, happiness, and pros.
perity."