The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-19
Shall the Organization OF the First
Virginia Regiment COneinue7

Editors of the Dispatch: We respectfully
ask the privilege OF addressing the citizens
and Common Council Of the city, through
your columns. in regard to the present condi-
tion of the First Virginia regiment. Our
object in doing so is to enable US to ascertain
from such response as they may make
wbe'he or not 1t is their desire that the Or
ganizlton of the regiment shall continue.
Believing that full and wel-equipped
regiment should be maintained In the capital
of the Safe we were induced (from sense
Of duty TO organize our respective compa-
nes nearly four years ago, by which act, on
our part, the regiment was formed. This
has been done at much expense to the officers
and men composing the different companies,
most Of whom are not able TO encounter the
expense which necessarily deyolyes upon
them, although willing to discharge their duty;
for In volunteer companies the expense as
well as the duties must be borne equally by
each member without regard to his circum.
stances, or its proper financial condition cam
not be maintained. 1t Is not our purpose to
institute comparison with volunteer or
ganiz.tions in other cities, or with what has
been and is still done to promote their sue
cess and continuance. We simply desire TO
know whether or not our regiment Is re-
garded of sufficient importance or considera-
ton to continue its organization. If it is not,
We will be relieved OF much trouble and eX.
pense. If it iS, it is time that we should ask
aud expect some proof of II.
Without an armory the proper condition
and discipline of volunteer companies can-
not be maintained ). and from the OrganiZa-
ton of the First Virginia regiment in this
city it has been without the encouragement
OF an armory, or any other than that afforded
| by small contribution on the part Of the
| city (Which we gratefully acknowledge, ne
| cessarily imposing great expense upon each
company, We have been compelled to assem-
| BILE in such rooms as each company could
procure-rooms which are either unsuitable
or at too great reut to enable us to continue
| to occupy them; aud we find it impossible to
procure suitable armory. One company
| has already been disbanded, and we regret TO
| say that the proper organization and discipline
Of the remainder cannot be maintained with
out your assistance in providing Us with an
arnGry suitable for drill and for the safe
keeping Of the arms with which the State has
provided US. and thus giving Us your sane.
ton in our efforts to render the regiment an
auxiliary to the police Of the city. The State
has made provision towards arming and
tquipping the regiment. but, located here in
the city, 1t isa body for your protcc ion should
it be required, and We simply ask, in all re-
spect, whether or not it Is your desire that
the organization of the regiment shall con.
tinue? Respectfully, &C.,
| Maxwell L. CLARE, Captain Company
l.. l.. BASS, Captain Company B
| LOUIS j. BossIEUx, Captain Company f;
RICHARD NJ. TAYLOR, Captain Company D
GEORGE W. JARVIS, Lieutenant commanding
Company II;
J. V. BIDGooD, Captain Company C;
WILLIAM Z. NJ. KELLAM, Captain Company
G.
Iapprove the above. In my judgment it
| is impossible TO maintain an organized and
disciplined regiment of volunteers without
an armorv. BRADLEY T. JOHNSON,
Colonel commanding.