The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-04

1HE tLAY.STREET METHODIST CHURCH TIC'
Nlc.-The picnic and excursion to Freder-
icksbarg of the Clay-Street Methodist
church yesterday was indeed an immense
affiir. at an early hour the vicinity Of the
depot, on Broad street, was alive with ladies,
children, and their escorts, all fastening to
the train which was to take them to that an
cient and historic town, and by the time set
for starting every car was full to repleton-
so much so that additional accommodations,
/ in the way of more cars, had to be procured.
The military portion of the eXcursonlsts
consisted Of Company D (Stonewall Guard),
commanded by Lieutenant R. NJ. Taylor,
aud detachment of Company F, command
ed by Lieutenant John A. Pizzini, both
commands being reinforced by volunteers
from other companies Of the First Regiment.
Captain w. G. Carrington, Of the S.onewaH
Guard Qhe senior ofticer), commanded the
battalion.
Finally, at about Gas O'Clock, train of
thirteen cars heavily ladened started from
the depot, amid the adieux and God-speeds
of those who witnessed the departure. So
long and heavy was the train that at Ashland
it was found necessary to put into use an
other locomotive. The excursionists arrived
at Fredericksburg ut few minutes before II
o'clock, and Immediately betook themselves
in every direction, intent upon enjoyment,
sightseeing. and visiting points OF interest
in and about the city; especially such as
were connected with "reminiscences Of the
late war. The military, after march through
some of the streets, during which they at
tracted much attention from the citizens, and
brief rest at the courthouse, proceeded TO
a field near the town, where the target.tiriDg
for the silver medal presented by the church
committee took place. This resulted in vic
tory for Lieut.. Taylor, of Company d, who
was declared the successful contestant, he
being the only one who put three successive
balls in the target. After tue firing was con-
,cluded the commands were marched back to
the courthouse, where they stacked arms
and were dismissed, to circulate as they saw
fit until the time for returning to Richmond.
At 6 O'Clock the eXcursoni>tS started home
ward, and without accident or other trouble
arrived in this city at 0 o'clock.
1t is to be regretted that on au occasion Of
this sort, where everything should pass Oft
agreeably and pleasantly to all, anything
should occur TO mar its enjoyment. Such,
however, was the case Yesterday, an episode
occurring that, while it resulted in the
slightly injuring OF but one person, might
lave caused serious consequences. During
the target-prsctice one of the soldiers charged
his gun with a blank cartridge, and either
purposely or accidentally fred it in the face
Of q colorcd boy abou eighteen years Of
age, burning the lower portion of his face
quite painfully. This created considerable
excitement, particularly among the negroes,
and it was but short time before wild ru-
mors Of every description were aficat regard
ing the shooting.
When the military returned to the court
house, Captain Carrngtoa severely repri-
manded his men for this apparently wanton
outrage, and stated that if he knew who the
perpetrator was he would at once hand him
over to the civil authorities to be dealt with
by them. At this point the City Sergeant
entered the room and pointed out the guilty
party, who was also identified by the
wounded boy. He was at once handed over
to the Sergeant, by Captain Darlington, and
taken to the Mayors office. 1t having been
by this time ascertainCd that the boy was
but slightly hurt, and that the shooting was
believed to have been done with no malicious
intent, consultation was held between the
Mayor, Captain Darlington, and the injured
boy and some of his friends, which resulted
in an amicable compromise and the discharge
of the prisoner. The excitement then soon
subsidized and everything went on as before.