Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-09-20
THE LATE RESERVES.
Their Coming in and Their Going Out

~ tNSH 4aANH Q9A
The inside history Of the late short
lived Reserves is brief but interest.
ing. They went up like a rocket and
came down quicker than the stick Of
one. Within a few days after they
were first organized over eighty names,
all clever young gentlemen and fine
soldierly material, Joined their ranks.
Much enthusiasm was manifested by
the members and great interest was
indicated in their behalf by the COM
munity. Everybody wished them sue
cess and hundreds expressed a desire
to lend such aid, substantial and
otherwise, as might contribute to it.
They marched out one evening several
weeks age, making a fine display;
eheered DR.. Porter and the citizens
safety committee headquarters as they
passed up Madison, went to the depot
at the station-house on Adams street.
received guns and marched back to
the Bluff City Guards armory on
Second street, going through a variety
Of evOlutions in a most soldierly man
ner, and during the excursion we're
cheered by the populace, proving
thereby that the enthusiasm in their
behalf was on the increase. Only a few
days elapsed, however, before discord
entered, and one fine evening a squad
of colored troops was ordered to the
front door of the armory they oecu-
pied with directions to take posses
sion and permit no Reserve to en-
ter there, After that the company
which had risen so quickly in
the public estimation we're seen
drilling on the streets without guns.
Squads were noticed at intervals and
in various places engaged in warm and
animated discussion over the dissen-
siOns that pervaded the ranks of the
Reserves. Sometimes, it is said, these
discussions grew quite acrimonious
and bOrdered on the belligerent. It
is also stated that the widest latitude
was invited by the chief officers of the
command into the merits of the ques-
tons at issue. The mantle of charity
was held up by the friends Of all con-
cerned, and the newspapers RETAINED
from yentilating the unhealed divisions
within the company's ranks. The
most that went forth through news
columns was that discord reigned. 1t
turned out that all efforts to pour oil
on the troubled waters were of no
avail, and the company, if not totally
disbanded, was in part at least formed
anew under another name. IT'S a
pity tbs, It's true, but this is a fact
that cannot be gainsayed. And now,
because in this paper an ~innocently
designed paragraph appeared yesterday
relating to the inability of the Hanni-
bal Guards to secure arms for lack of
proper bondsmen, the late captain
of the Reserves, for whom the writer
has always entertained high personal
regard, imagines himself especially
struck at and strikes back through an
explanation in the Avalanche, in
which he calls the little item a "con-
temptible fling" The ex-captain is
mistaken about the fling part.
There was no intention to make a
fling" as he calls it, either at him
self or his late company, and in tell
ing how many offered to sign bonds to
the State for the security of any arms
That might be Entrusted to the Re-
serves, that portion of the reported
troubles which beset his command
none were ever heard to question. But
the want of guns, many of the young
men say, contributed largely to dis
member the company. The result is
greatly regretted in many circles, be-
cause it was a military company to be
proud of, and the splendid start it
made won its way quickly into the
hearts of everybody. This sentiment,
so general, was participated in by
none to a greater degree than it was
by the local of this paper, and despite
the ex-captain's display of ill-temper
no feelings of ~unkindness have yet
been engendered toward him.