The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-31


SERIOUS DtsAsTER.-Y yesterday morning the
r.iiuion of the old aud present members of
"F" Company took place at the pump
house, At y O'Clock the company paraded
the streets with about forty men, rank and
file. They presented decidedly handsome
appearance, and elfcited many favorable com.
ments on their soldiery bearing and general
demeanor. The company upon arriving at
the foot of Seventh street embarked in one
of the canal pleasure. boats, and were trans
ported to the pump-houSe, where, after a
brief resting spell, the soldier boys partook
of refreshments and lunch.
The target. practice was for several prizes,
and resulted as follows:
First prize Gold pin with pendant +
(pers onal present by Sergeant Henry Tay-
lor): Won by Private ID. w. Fltchett, and
presented to him by Captain Clarke. Re-
sponded to on the part of the victor by Colo.
mel james r. CrenShaw.
Second prZe-A set Of fine shirts (personal
present from Lieutenant Ii. T. Aliler): Won
by Private L. r. Isbell. Responded to by
Lieutenant G. D. Wise.
Third prize-Silver medal formerly won
by Private 5. B. Wtt-now lieutenant in
Company D-and returned by him 10 the
company: Won by Sergeant Ira W. Blunt.
Presented by Private R. B. Berkeley. Re-
spouded to by Major A. X. Courtney.
Fourth and last prze-Leather medal for
the worst shot: Presented by Captain Clarke
to Quartermaster Sergeant r. D. Adams.
Responded to by W. Leigh Burton, E>q.
At the conclusion Of the target-prs ctice,
the old members and several invited guests
having arrived, the party proceeded to dis
cuss the merits Of magnificent Brunswick
stew, prepared by Bob Richardson, the ex-
pert cook, and other palatable edibles &c.
The veteran CTS" then had chance to
exercise their craftsmanship, each one tax.
Ing a shot at another target. The best shot
among them wss Mr.. Thomas J. jackson !;
second best, DR.. c. W. p. Brock; third, r.
Alonzo Brock.
At 8 O'Clock the party reembarked on their
return trip. When the boat. reached The
Tredegar Works, and was about turning the
bend in the canal at that point, it cOltded
with the freisht-boat "Nannie, of Brenio
Bluff" which was coming up the canal at
the time. The up.coming boat struck the
other near the stern with such force as 10
crush down the heavy top on the heads OF
the party. Then, of course, scene OF great
excitement and confusion ensued. Several
members of the company jumped into the ca
nal. Many others were caught and pinned 10
the bottom Of the boat il such manher that
they found it impossible to extrlcate them
selves unaided. But for the presence of mind
and energy of some the accident would have
been attended with fatal results. As 1t was,
many of the party were cut and hruiscc.
Fortunately the boat was near the tCW-pa 2,
and those who first succeeded 10 getting OF
of the boat raised the top and eXtrlcated their
more unfortunate companions. s t-E go.
It was ascertained that Private George A.
Haires had sustained the most serious ltJa-
rles. He bad several bruises about The head
and neck, aud upon being taken from Inc
boat tainted. He was conveyed to his resi-
dance. on Main street near Sixth, and Dr..
Edward T. Robinson gave him the Detes.
snrv medical attention. His injuries, though
n,intuI. are not considered dangerous. he
bud several spasms while be was Deshs taken
home. ............s..
There are two accounts of the accident
7, is stated that The top of the boat was
nulled off by the tow liue of the upcomine
Boat. 1t IS also stated that the accident va:
caused by un actual collision Of the tHo
hoats. Had tbe boat been further, out IL
the canal it would in all probability iayt
b. en- sunk, and mary drowned, as they wer,
clsmped together insuch manner that tne.
could not move. From all statements tb
blame attaches TO The captain Of the up
coming boat. According to the ruees OF th
canal Company, all up-conipg boais sse Z
90 on the outside. and these coming dow
90 near the tow path:
The members 0; F Company claim tha
their boat wa. inside, and as near the pn
AS II could be, and that the other boat sh oni
! nave taken more room on the outside, 81
the scciden. would have been avoiaed,