The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-15

TIcE.-Saturday was q gala day with the Sid
ney Grays, or Company ID, as it Is called in
the First regiment, that day being celebrated
as the anniversary of the organization OF the
company. At 10 O'Clock the men assembled
at the armory, corner of Ninth and Main
streets, and marched thence to Monroe Park.
captain W. G. CarTington, the recently elected
commandant, was at the head of the COM
any.. Forty men were In line, and they pre-
sented fine appearance, marched well, and
drilled with soldicrly precision.
Arrived at the park the company was
drawn up in line, and after short rest the
most interesting ceremony of the dav took
place. 1t was the presentation of an elegant
Tag to the company by the ladies of Sidney.
Rev. George L. Vaudersice was the speaking
representative of the ladies, and his duty
was discharged most happily. After
speaking eloquently Of the labor Of love
which he had been commissioned to fulfil,
and brilliant eulogy upon woman, he
alluded to the motto of the company as in
scribed upon tic banner, "Not for ourselves
but for our country" as truly a soldiers
motto, and badc them ever keep it in mind.
He concluded rs follows: ...
"But sirS, on the reverse is an emblem
that we have all been taught to love; that bus
been tried and loated yictorioltsly over many
bloody battle.ficldS in more than one war,
and to desert which Is treason, indeed. 1t is
the coat of arms Of our beloved old Com
monwealtll--not only the "mother of States
and statesmen" but of warriors. too; for no
brighter names will be written on Fame's
enrolling scroll than Virgiuia's own honored
sonS--Lce, Jackson, johnson, a. 7. Hill, Stu
art, Rhodes, Pickett, and host of others,
headed by the noble Washington, who were
but the leaders of Virginia regiments COM
posed of FirSinia's brave ycomanry. 1t
seems to repeat to us, every time it is unfurled.
the sentiment so ferridly expressed by one
of her own fiery sons when he said Re-
Sistancc to tyranny is obedience to Cod
"With this flag floating over you we bid you,
as we commit it There presented. to keep it in
peace and never to surrendered in it war !;
and, as it is an honor to capture al eHemy'S
flag, it is greater honor to keep one unfair
niShed with defeat"
Captain Darlington received the fiag on
behalf Of the company. His speech was
graceful and eloquent, and we regret our in-
ability to give it in full. We make the fol-
lowing extract:
"SoIdiers," he said, "rCmcmher your COM
rades of Old and emulate their heroic virtue.
|oitiC Va titll lcli ttilucI tit lEl~ tlcN ICNeQ.
You preserve and defend this with the same
tauntIcss heroism; do not forget u>ir devo-
ton to right, and keep their neefE green
in your hearts. While many 4 valley echoes
their glory, and many a hill-topis rich in the
bloody incense OF patriot hearts, which it,
lofty peaks bear sky-ward; yet it is sad they
have left us, even though we pray they have
been tIanspantcd in that ccrillean dome of un.
fading bliss. We can worship ut the remeni-
brancc ofthcir bearing, and know that though
lost to sight, their memories yet live swcctly,
cmbalmcd in 4 sorrowiug country's heart
the grass that springs above their warrior
graves shall keep the falling dew-drops more
swectly than before; the winds that sigh
across their moudcling dust shall watt Il re-
QUEEN of honor to their noble deeds; and
the fragrance which spring-clad vcrt(urc
shall eXhale from its lloWcr-decked wales shall
bear the patriotic incense to the skies.
where eternity itself shall catch the noble
theme, and dwell with unceasing rapture on
its namc.' Look to your tlaG and see its
mut1o--' Non NObiS Sod Pdtrite'-not for
ourselves, but our country. You accept this
motto, and thus nobly sink the biscr thought
of self away from your life"
"Ladics,' he said, "we thank you for this
| beautiful gift. il buoys our hearts and
nerves Our arms. Our SUCCESS Is certain with
your prayers and smiles. Your beautiful
| present shall never be disgraCed in peace or
war; we pledge il by the memory Of the old
Sidney GrayS and their recorded heroi>m Oh
fields of death and danger i'll the past. Stout
hearts and strong arms snail ever defend it,
He returned the thanks Of the Company to
| the ladies for the courtesy Of their attend
ance. He hoped in after years, when their
thoughts REQUIRED to this scene, the proud,
happy hearts they had given the Sidney
Grays would be to them pleasant memory.
In conclusion, he wished that their exist
ence might be like the mirrored surface OF
some placid lake, where time nor sorrow can
write no wrinkles on its brow. "And when
the rugged scythe of death shall seek to fill
his garner up with the withcrcd fi1une OF
| life. NAV that same God-like hand parry of
the icy blow, and in his arms of love and JOY
elevate your disemboded spirits to the
heavcn-llucd gladcs of His New Jerusalem
The colors were then handed by the Cap.
tain to Color-Sergcant Holloway, who, be-
fore assuming his position, proposed three
cheers fer the ladies. They were given,
| after which the flag was salutcd by i present.
arms, and the band played patriotic southern
| air. The line of march was then resumed,
and after parade through the principal
streets the company halted at the pump.
house, where the rest Of the day was whilcd
away. In addition to other interesting eN.
| erciSes there was targct-placficc,
which caused a good deal OF excitement.
Several tirSt-rate shots were fired, but the
prize-medal offered by Captain Darlington
| for the best marksman was awarded to
Abraham Diacont, company marker The
medal is of silver, and bears the following
inscription:
"Sidney Grays, Company D, First Regi.
ment Virginia Volunteers. Organized April
Is, 1871. Presented by Captain W. c. Car-
| riugton to the best shot ut first anniversary
ANOTHER ANNIvERsARY CELEBR ATIoS.--Thc
Walker Light Guard Company ~ will cele-
blate their first anniversary by Il grand BAN
quet. under the supervision Of Zetellc, ut Vir.
| rjnia Hall tonight, The Govcrnorand other