The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-07-01
4 GALA DAY FOR TIE R1FIEMEH.
Maroon Of the Palmetto Guard Rihe
Club-Target Exercise at Middleton
PfAse-Distribution OF Prizes-The Re-
ception at Home. az


Club-Target Exercise at Middleton
Pfh6e-Distribution OF Prizes-The Re-
ocption at Home. ~
The regular anniversary of the Palmetto
Guard Rifle Club, which occurs on the 2sth Of
June, was celebrated Instead on Saturday by
the usual maroon; and target exercise. The
weather was clear. and at half past six O'Clock
the members, In their handsome uniforms of
black Alpine hats, gray frock COATS, edged
with green cord, and white. pants, assembled
at Archer's Hall. Each gallant rifenan' bore
his trusty short Enfield, and with the left rim
of bis hat looped up with cockade OF pal
metto, miniature palmetto tree of the same
material upon his left breast, and copy of
The NEWS in bis pocket, was fully equipped
for the duties and pleasures Of the day" The
club formed quickly and, preceded by music,
marched down King street. where they were
met and saluted at the corner of Society street
by the delegation OF the Washington Light In
fantry Club, twelve In, number, who, had ac:
cepted the invitationsof the Palmettoes and
were about to accompany them on the maroon.
The same Invitation to the Sumter Rife Club
had been accepted by but two of the members,
and these marched along with the Palmetto
Club. 'i"o-n,i.i' ~
THE PARADE. - l1ns,1,' -.
The Washington's fell In at the rear Of the
column, which proceeded through Hasel,
Meeting, Market and East Bay streets, to the
Pilot Boy at Accommodation wharf. The
rlfemen then embarked aud waited o few mo-
ments until seven o'clock, for chance strag.
gler. While waiting, the PheulxlBsn with
eleven pieces, got together and began to dig
course acceptable music. The band has come
out In new uniform Of black felt hats, blue
coats trimmed with blue velvet, and edged
with yellow cord and white pants, and Its
playing has Improved as much as Its costume.
Its programme OF brilliant .quickstep drew
out many sailor upon the; wharf opposite,
and O. chorus Of laughter echoed from the
steamer as one barsheaded and hunpbaeked Id
d ashort.sleeved blouse, an apolosetleal pair Of
pants and bare feet, began 20 caper nlmbly to
the inspiring strains of the music. Loud ap-
plause followed each saltatory feat, aud the un-
couth figure was yet revolving like a spinning
Dervish upon the, poop of his vessel, as his
enthusiastic audience glided out Of the dock
and down the river upon their swift steamer.
TIE TRrP UP THE ASHLEY
was most enjoyable. A fue breeze upon the
water made the decks of the steamer q de-
lighifnl resting place after the march, and
every bend Of the bold river brought new and
varied scenes TO view, which afforded unceas-
ing subjects for comment and admiration.
The steamer moved rapidly along with its
goodly company at ease, theirjess and laugh
ter being occasionally Interrupted by the
sharp crack of o rifle as the sangulne marks
men broke rudely upon the meditatlons OF
some lndolent "poor job" or alligator upon
the muddy banks of the river. At the. first
alarm scores of ridemen seized their shooting
irons, and formed continuous lines along both
sides of the steamer. Cartridges were rammed
down, and woe beide. the uulucky "'gator'
which.dared to show the smallest particle oi
q snout above the water. At q sharp bend
of the river, however, syerltable young gator
was discovered snoozlng In the sun upon the
hard beach. The boat was almost upon the
sauriau, when shout upon the larboard told
that gator was at hand, and the starboard
line of rifles rushed over to the attack. The
small steamer careened over under the unus
ual rush, and score of rifles were pointed
downwards, aud score of minnie bullets
went pepperiny the beach In aud around tRs
game. The enemy was thrown into coRfu
sion al once. and the newly.awakened gator
instead OF rushing into the water, run blindl!
high and dry on the beach.
A STEADY FIRE
was kept up at him until the boat had LETT MIN
fer behind, when the animal was seen to craw
slowly down to the water and swim of. HI
was pronounced dead, however, and no les
than eighteen marksmen claimed the homo
and scored their gator. As the river narrow
ed, however, dozens of the ugly animals coult
be seen, every one Of which were greeted
with shower Of minnie balls. This was KEEP
up until the steamer arrived at Middleton
Place. The gators must have suffered terribly,
and their fosslllzed bones will form valuable
deposit for phosphate hunting generations In
ages to come. After some difficulty In bring
Ing the steamerup to- the wharf, on account
of the very low ude, the riaemen effected
landing and, crossing the small rice fields,
entered the grounds of Middleton Place, es-
corted by The hospitable proprietor himself.
Here the marooners refreshed themselves
awhile among the shady walks, and rested be-
meath the prlmsval oaks adornlng the river
banks. One of the moss.covered monarchs,
with a rustic bench around his base, was q
magnificent, venerable old tree one hundred
and seventy-tour years ago, when the place
was first settled by the original owner. The
buildings were all burned during the war,
and the massive walls alone remain standing,
but the splendid lawns, regularly laid out
grounds, the gardens sloplng In terraces from
the residence down to the river bank could
not be removed or destroyed, and yet remain
source Of pleasure to numerous excur
sIonists. u',.l ,i!,-. y.,os' sa-..-rs h.. r
THE SHOOTING CONTEST: 50
With the advice Of the proprietor the tar
gets we're placed at,the further end OF 9 grassy
glade, each company having Its own shooting
place. While thIs'was being done, however,
the Palmettoes formed and marched over to
the Washington Light Infantry. and there pre-
sented tho latter with handsome set OF studs
and sleeye.buttons. Mr. George 8. Holmes
III. .ho lo,nra and Mr. g. a. TrumbO