The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-19
was clear, mild,


RETURN OF THE LAST DETACHMENT OF THE
WALKER LIGHT GUARD FROM COLUMBIA
The last detachment OF the Walker Light
Guard, Company 3, First Virginia regi-
mcnt, left Columbia, s. c., Saturday at l
O'Clock A. NJ, and arrived III Richmond at
7:45 at night.
The Journey homeward was devoid Of in
terest or incident, but was cnlivened by the
constant singing OF "Carry Me Back to Old
Virginia"
The members OF Company b complain OF
their inhospitable reception and treatment
while at Columbia. They state that they
did not seem to be recognized as southern
soldiers or as friends. but were treated
almost entirely rs strangers. The company
arrived at Columbia before daylight, and
found no one to receive them. They
marched up to the hotel where the officers
were uuartered. About 10 O'Clock A. NJ.
the company took part in the parade, and
at2P. NJ. the competitive drill came of.
Lots were drawn by the several compa-
MES competing for the prize for position in
drill. The Clarke Rifles, OF Augusta, Ga,
drew the first position, the Richland Nolun-
teer Rifle Club the second, and the Walker
Light Guard third. The men were put to
the most severe test, and it was the opinion
Of some that the Richmond company was
REQUIRED to execute movements that were
not required Of the home companies: The
movements were executed in sand over the
shoe-soles.
The Judges were United States Army
officers from Columbia, Charleston, and
Augusta, and they dictated all the move
ments, and at times ordered the execution
OF five or six manGuvres before bringing
the company to halt. 1t was the opinion
OF experts that under the circumstances
no company outside OF South Carolina could
have secured the prize.
When Company B had commenced their
drill, and after they had executed only one
or two movements, they were ordered from
the field for the review. To this Captain
Binford objected, and begged to be excused
from going into the review on the ground
that his men were 80 fatigued that it was
with difficulty they could be kept in ranks,
and he was anxious to conclude his drill at
once. His request was refused, and his
comDany then took part in the review.
After the review Captain Binford took his
company to the paradc-ground and con-
cludcd his drill. As he was taking his COM
panv off eXclamations Of praise were heard
on all sides, together with remarks from the
Judges stand to the effect that "if the Fir-
ginia soldiers don't get the prize none Of
the other companies will'; and ii those
bows haven't got it none OF them have
The officers and soldiers speak in the most
exalted terms OF the kindness OF Captain
w. h. Bachman, prominent lawyer OF
Columbia, and Of Mr.. jenkins. Captain
Bachman provided them with room, lights,
and bedding. But for the attention OF these
gentlemen their condition would have been
forlorn indeed. Not one OF the South Caro-
lima soldiers called on them or offered them
the least hospitality or civility during their
STAY. Captain Bachman will be remem-
beled as the gallant commander OF Com
pany B Of the artillery. battalion OF Hoods
livision-one of tue best-kuown battalons
in the Army OF Northern Virginia.
The boys all agree that "'tis distance
that lends enchantment to the view.' The
bright visions OF a happy visit to the Pal
mctto State have been dispelled. The
losing Of the prize was not so much re-
GREETED as what they consider the shabby
treatment received, and the consequent low.
e-ing in their estimation Of those whom
they had been taught to believe were the
pinks OF chivary.