The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-11
rho Richmoad ! Light i infantry Blues,

l., SATTJRD.A Z MORNI]
Tho Richmond Light Infantry Blues.
i fCELEBRATIoN OF the EIGHIYsFIFTH ANNTvER
sARY-swoRD DPREsENTED TO THBcAPTAIN
4 STREET PARADE-DI INNER AT CLARKE's
sPRIEG-LETTERs PROM pIsTINGuIsHEI
/ GENTLEaEN-TARGET- ET-sH0oTING. .'sa.
The active and honorary members OF the
Richmond Light Infantry Blues on yester.
day celebrated their eighty-ffth anniYer.
/ sary. The company assembled at their
armory about $3.50 with forty-seven
men in uniform. On behalf OF the
members Of the company, Lieutenant T.
N. Page presented to Captain John
S. Wise a splendid sword as a mark OF
esteem for him as commanding officer, citi-
zen, and friend. The speeches Of Messrs.
Page and Wise were worthy OF the occa-
sion, and eloQuently breathed the true sol
dierly spirit and deep affection for the or
ganiZeSsn which has stood through more
than three fourths OF the time Of the ma.
toms existence, and many Of whose men,
bers have been famous in various depart
ments Of life.
From the armory the Blues, headed by
Voelker's band, marched through several
of the principal thoroughfares, their white
plumes waving gally in the breeze. and
their appearance and fine movements at
tracing general attention and eliciting
hearty praises.
Clarke's Spring, famed in days gone by
as the rendezvous for such social gather
ings, was the spot selected for the target
practice and dinner. a very pretty place
it is. The trees afford abundant shade, and
the fields Of grass are spacious enough for
any sort OF games or exercises.
AT the company targetshooting NJ. Wat
kins Norvell won the meGal. DR.. Bougarel,
by his fine craftsmanship, captured the sad
die OF mutton. Colonel Thomas B. Bigger,
a veteran OF the war OF 1912, made shot
which aroused the envy OF many young
sters, SO near the bulps-eye did it strike.
After the shooting there was summons to
dinner. The etables were set by Frank Sherry
under the trees, and company Of about
one hundred and fifty guests, embracing
distinguished members of the judiciary and
| bar, prominent merchants and business
men, doctors, and leading representatives
of the good folks OF this metropolis, sat
down. The bill OF fare was all that the
most epicurean could have demanded, and
lQf eXhilarating compounds there were
Enough to inspire free flow Of conyersa-
| ton. There were no speeches at the din
ner-tabie, much to the qualification Of all.
FROM PRESIDENT HAYES.
MIR. John Bell Bigger, by request, read
letters from number Of gentlemen, who
wrote in response to invitations to be pres
ent-among them the following:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, I
9th May, 1878. :
My Dear Sir,-I beg you to present my
compliments to the members OF the Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues, and to express
my regret that cannot accept the invita-
tion with which they have honored Inc to
attend the celebration of their eighty.ffth
anniversary. Sincerely, R. B. HAYES.
Captain John S. TVise, de-, dc.
The above is in Mr.. Hayes's own writing.
GOVERNOR HOLIDAY.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINA,l
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
RICHMOND, May 2, 1878.
Captain John s. Wise:
NV Dear Sir,-I received through you the
very kind invitation TO attend the eighty
fifth anniversary celebration OF the Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues, to be held on
| the 10th of this month. / thank you for
this compliment, but / fear absence from
the city on that day will prevent my accept
anee.
1t would give me great pleasure to be
| with YOU on an occasion which testiGes to
the strength and vitality Of an organization
whose birth dates back almost to the be.
ginning OF our present system of govern
ment, and which has been kept alive in
peace and war by so many generations OF
noble men.
May it continue for many more, stimu-
lus to the formation Of other such organi-
cations all over our State, and an example
in skill, courage, and efficiency; for be-
lisye the strongest bulwark a republic can
have is it's citizen soldiery-not only to
protect it from foreign foes, but to protect
it against disturbing elements in its own
midst, by teaching all its citizens that ODE
dience is the first and most profound lesson
to be learned, il they would perpetuate the
blessings Of freedom and exalt and dignity
the State. Very truly yours,
FRED. W. NJ. HOLIDAY.
SENATOR wITHEEs.
| SENATE CHAMBER, May 8, 1878.
Committee Of Richmond Light Infantry
Blues:
GentIemen,-Please accept my thanks fol
| the polite invitation to attend the celebra
ton OF the eighty-fifth anniversary OF thai
historic organization.
Could I spare the time, few occasion!
would tempt me SO strongly as your ami
yersarv celebration, for / am sure the re
. union will be exceedingly pleasant. Al
organization which, having passed beyond
it's four score years, seems perpetually t(
renew its youth, must possess all the ele
ments OF vitality essential to prosperity
May its honorable record in several wars bt
still sustained undimmed and untarnished
and may prosperity ever attend it and it
members, individually and collectively.
With much respect, your obedient serV
ant, r. E. WITHERs.
MAJOR JOHN w. DANIEL.
LYNcHBURG, May 6, 1878.
Captain John s. Wise, Richmond Ltgh
Infantry Blues:
NV Dear Sir,-ReturniDg home from Camp
bell Circuit Court, I have had the pleasur
of receiving the invitation so kindly eH
tended me to be present at the celebratlol
of the eighty-third anniversary OF you
honored and famous command.
! Accept, il you please, and express to tn
company also, il you please, my warm AZ
probation OF this kind remembrance, an
be assured that il am not on hand in pei
son to Join in theinteresting occasion it wi
be because find my post OF duty elsewhere
under orders, as 'twer, not less peremptor
than those which control the men still in th
line.
Your anniversary is that also Of one OF th
great victories OF the Confederate arms, an
as am this day not celebrating but recall
ing very vividly the fourteenth anniversar
; of the day when received my dischare