The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-11-29
LOCAL MATTERS,
The Richsnand Grars.

-J1hSI Nlodi-PhESESIaIlOS tF -IdE BRAD
LEY T. JOHNSON NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.!
OF COLONEL PURCELL, CAPTAIN DossIEEx
AND MAJOR STERS-THEN A BANQUET.
The Richmond Grays Captain Louis j
Bossieuy) assembled at she reginental ar.
mory last night, and with iifty-eight staIwart
men in line went through series OF move.
mebts and exercises in the manual which
clearly showed that, like good soldiers, as
they are, they have greatly profted by the
instructions OF their faithful officers. For
appearance, discipline, dril!y and all The
other qualities that go to make up first
rate company, it will be cheerfuily con-
ceded that the Grays have few, il any, SUI
Derlors in this land. The men love the or
ganization, and it is their pride and plea
sure 10 keep the ranks full, to attend drills
and meetings regularly, and yield implicit
obedience to their worthy captain. They
never looked or moved better than they did
last night.
After about an hours exercise they were
halted in front OF the Colonel OF the regi-
ment and bis staff, and were brought to
present arms. Colonel Purcell stepped for
ward. aud, with the medallion sent by Cen
eral johnson in his hand, said that he was
deputed to present to Captain Bossieux
and his command testimonial from one
whom they all respected and revered. The
following letter from General johnson,
Colonel Purcell said, expresses what he bad
not the language to express:
BALTIMORE. November %, 1879.
Colonel John b. Purcell, First Virginia
Regiment, Richmond, Va.:
Colonel,-I sent to you by Captain L. F.
Bossieux medallion, to be presented to
the Grays Company Az for me.
I want the boys and their old captain to
have something to-akeep to remember me
by, for never shall cease to feel the warm
est affection for them, and all Of you OF my
old regiment.
| know they will make such arrange
lnents about the care and use Of it as will
ensure its preservation, SO that their chill.
dren and yours and mine may know that
their fathers were friends, bound TO each
other by ties OF love, respect, and honor.
My best wishes to you and yours, to them
and theirs, and all the old regiment.
Your friend, BRADLEY T. JOHNSON.
Colonel Purcell said that The performance
OF this duty was one Of the greatest plea.
sures OF his life, and that in doing it he felt
that he was welding together the links oil
friendship between two friends be loved.
Here was Il mcmcnto that the GrayS, with
all their historic past, could always refer 10
with pride and pleasure, as typifying the
esteem Of their friend and old colonel, Gen
eral Bradley T. Johnson.
Captain BosSicux thanked Colonel Pur-
cell for the happy manner in which he had
discharged his duty on this occasion. Never
so much before in his lilc had be the desire
to make q speech. BE would like TO talk
about General johnson until about Il
O'Clock. He knew what he wanted TO say,
but could not say 1t; but he had posted
Major Stern, and so called upon that gen.
tleGlan to come forward and speak Tor him.
Major Stern responded. lie spoke OF
General johnson as one Of the foremost
public men OF his day. and declared that
Richmond had lost Il valuable citizen when
he removed from her midst. The Major
spoke with warmth in praise Of his absent
friend, and his remarks were heartily ap
pIauded, as those OF Colonel Purcell hat
been.
The speeches overall OF them having
been brief and happy-the men put away
at The American.
The banquet was an agreeable affair, ant
was enjoyed greatly by the Grays and theil
invited guests. Brie1 Speec les were lhattt
by the following: Colonel John =. Purcell
Captain l.. J. BosseuX, William l.. Royal
Esq, lieutenant Jno. E. Laughton, Cap
tian Tazewell Elicit, Captain II. L. SPOTS
wood, Captain Fl. &. Jones, Captain A
TomIinson, Surgeon L. B. Edwards, Ma
jor Joe Lane Stern, Major Charles Andcr
SOP, Lieutenant James L. Phillips, Captain
James e. Tyler. The name of Genera
Johnson was often mentioned by the
speakers, and many were the pleasant
things said OF him. The General has 4 warn
place in the hearts OF the Richmond sol
dicry, and his association with them vii
always be kindly referred to. There wa,
but one regrct-that he could not be pre-
sent and join the festivities OF the evening