Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-24
CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
Captain Duncan, of the ChfckasaW
Guards, Resigns HIS Command.
= Movement witch Creates n
~sensati0n The Chicks Make a
SUCCESSFUL Nighl Attack.

captain Duuoan, OF the ChfckaaaW
Suards. Resigns Hts Command.
8~enBatiOn = The Chicks Make a
s~uecessfu Night Attack.
Last night, at the armory Of the
Chickasaw Guards on Adams street,
Captain Duncan presented his resigna-
ton as commanding officer. stating that
business engagements necessitated the
step, a step which he regretted exceed
ingly. Considerable opposition was ex.
cited, but Captain Duncan was inexora-
BILE, and the Chicks unwillingly accept
ed the resignation.
On invitation Of Captain Duncan and
Mr.. P. @. Bethel, the Chickasaws attend
ed a repast, during which wit, humor
and song sparkled amid champagne.
Captain Duncan has commanded the
company ever since its organization, and
through his efforts the company has been
brought up to a very high state of efici.
ency in every soldierly particular. Uu-
der his command the Chicks and the
Porter Rifles met in two friendly con-
tests or competitive drills, the Chicks
losing in the first, at Nashville, and the
Porter Rifles in the second, at Memphis.
The third or deciding contest, which
was to have taken place at Huntsville,
was prevented by Captain Donelsou, Of
the Porter Rifles, who insisted upon in.
Producing new exercises in the drill other
than those introduced in the two former
drills or contests. This left the Chicka.
saw Guards the champions OF the State,
because they hold the winning badge I'm.
til fairly wrested from them.
At IL o'clock last night an unusual
commotion was observed in front Of and
around the Peabody Hotel. Lieutenant
Camp, Of the Chichasaw Guards, sud-
denly gave the order to fall in" and
the boys at once fell into line and went
through the "facings." They formed on
the street in front of the Peabody, and
in a few seconds Arnold's brass band
sent music floating on the air Of night.
Quite a large crowd assembled to listen
to the serenade. When the music
ceased three cheers we're given for Capt.
Duncan, and, in response, that gentle
man appeared on the hotel balcony. In
an instant gas lights appeared at all the
windows, and the occupants OF apart
ments thrust their heads out in order to
see what was to pay on the street. The
Chicks" gave a greeting cheer and
stood uncovered while Captain Duncan
made them an elegant and eloquent
spsech, expressing bis regrets at being
compelled by business engagements to
separate from them. He depicted the
proud position Of the citizen soldiery Of
a Slate, and counseled the Chicks " to
ever maintain their high position and
great efficiency in military matters.
At the close of the speech when the
cheering subsidized calls we're made for
Captain Cameron, of the Bluff CITY
Grsys, aud hat gentleman responded il
a telicitous manner, making many happy
hits and creating great amusement
Arnold's band then played several air
in an artistic manner. The Chicks
gave three cheers and marched off t
their armory, headed by the band.
Who will be Captain Duncan's sue
cesser2 is an important question for tn,
Chickasaw Guards to settle. Whomso
ever they select he should be one who
can and will devote his time to the bes
interests of the company-who will at
tend the meetings and conduct the drills
A nominal captain never makes a gooc
company; he must be a soldier who lovet
the life of a soldier, and who takes Q
pride in the development Of everything
a%ppertaining to the duties of q soldier
BE must be a man who can represent the
Chickasaw Guards before the people
with honor to himself and bis company
and must also be q man who will repre-.
sent his company on the drill ground
and 10 the armory.