The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-07
Hoxiixers ana Graxs.


ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS 0Y TWO or RICH.
xoND's VETERAN CORPs-A DAY OF ENJOY.
MENr AND SPORT AT WEST POINr-ARTH..
| LERY AND RIFLE CONTgsrs-THE SUCCESS.
| fUL NARKsMEH--EyERYBODY WELL
| PLEASED.
Probably the largest but certainly one Of
the most enjoyable OF the many excursions
made from the city yesterday was that got.
ten up IN connection with the Howifzer and
Richmond Grays' target practice at West
Point. That II should have been under
the management OF these two excelieDt vete-
ran military organizations was guarantee
| that It's conduct would be characterized BY
good order, temperate and abundant amuse-
| ment. The following was the committee, 10
whom too much credit cannot be given for
their generous and indefatigable attention
to their guests Lieutenant w. +. Smons,
Sergeant j. B. Foster, Jr., Sergeant w.
Z. Ammons, Corporal p. III. King, Corpo-
raj 6. III. Hardwick, ii. VI. Siarke, George
f. Styll, W. j. Baker, George Hutcbers0n,
X. Il. Robinson, r. II. Starke, William +.
Word, and j. f. Waltball.
Punctualy Of s O'Clock yesterday morning
the Gsays, numbering some sixty strong
rank and file, headed by Voelker's band,
and followed by the HOwitZers, numbering
about tifty-tw0, arrived at the York River
depot, where large number OF excursion
ists were already ia waiting. The train con.
sisted OF five coaches and six excursion
fats, which were all crowded. 10 is esti.
mated there were between seven and eight
hundred persons all told. Leaving the city
at S:20, the party arrived without accident
at West Point after pleasant run Of two
hours and twenty minutes. Sergeant w. j.
Baker and detachment OF the HowitZers
with two rifle guns had preceded the regu.
lar excursion on the . A. NJ. train, and had
the battery in position on the prominence
at the southeastern extremity OF the Point,
tents pitched. the target in readiness, and
every thing else in tine order.
The Grays began their rifle contest at 12
O'Clock, which was soon followed by the
target practice OF the Howtzers, as they
aroused the surrounding counties with the
booming OF their rifle guns. The people
OF the town, aud many who had come from
far and near, turaed out TO enjoy the field.
day OF sports. The gunnery OF the Howit.
Zers was excellent. The target, which was
eight by fourteen feet, with black centre
six feet in diameter, was placed out in the
river at a distance OF three quarters OF a
mile, and was literally riddled with shot
and shell, exhibiting at the close OF the
practice forty holes through it. There
were fiity-seven shots fired in all, OF
which the following gentlemen were
successful in hitting the target: Dan
iei s. Mccarthy, OF the Association, who
made the best shot; V. Hall, OF the com.
pany. who made the next best Raleigh
Robinson, Peter Rbam, II. B. Boudar, c.
A. Vim, Il. Lorraine, W. j. Baker, L.
Mamsey, Henry Vance, Captain BDsher,
Captain C.. Bos.ieux, Il. G.. Morton, }.
Thompson Brown, and Captain NJ. l..
Spo'swood, OF the Guard OF the Common.
wealth. Major Carter made beautiful shot
with loaded she'll
The Grays in their target-practlcc, In
which there were two contests for prizes,
did some fine shooting. Mr. Lew. Reese
made The best shot in the first and was
awarded the gold medal Of the company.
| In the second contest the two gold pins
were won by Priyates GOode and Allen.
There was in addition to the above con-
test Tor prze-eup, in Whieb entries were
open 10 citizens and soldiers alike, and
there was exhibited in this some tine ieats
of craftsmanship. The prize was finally
won by Captain Jeter Bocber, of the How
itZers.
A substantial dinner was served within
the shed OF the Boston whaTves at 3 O'Clock.
in the serving OF which the Howizers dis
played their characteristic whole.souied
hospitality. The remainder OF the day was
spent in dancing in. the pavilion on the ho'
tel lawn Emusic being furnished by an Italian
band taken from Richmond. sailing, and
roaming about the place.
A large number of ladies and children
went on the excursion. and all seemed to
have an enjoyable day, free from the slight
est trace OF rowdyism or intemperance.
The Journey home was pleasant one, the
young people enlWeniDg the time with
songs and merry-making. Everybody SEEM
ed in good humor, not even excepting the
benign gentleman who lost his new straw
hat in the land OF the Pamunkeys. and, with
uncovered head, would naturally be sup.
posed to survey the scene with certain de-
gree Of coOlness.