Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-10
rnn sA,ANNAn MlL1rARY.
What the Atlanta People say About
the BaTs.

the Boys
Ina report Of the military pageant al
Atlanta on Thursday the Constitution
says:
From the arrival Of the first eonpa-
MES until the line of march to the GENE
terv was taken up the armOry was always
crowded with uniforms. Members Of one
company met and mingled with others,
and while all were impressed with the
solemn mission which they were upon.
the meeting was s pleasant one and one
which Will long be remembered by those
who were here. There were no speeches
Of welcome. In squads OF two or more
the companies spread over the city. Id
no direction could an eye Be turned with
out coming in contact with bright uni
form Of gray or blue. During the entire
DAY these gentlemen in uniforms were on
the streets. and everywhere they Went
whether in ranks or out Of ranks, they
created a favorable impression, and won
many compliments by their sOldieriy
bearing.
Despite the fact that each company had
its quartermaster along, every member
went foraging. They dined all over the
city. some went 10 hotels, some 10 res
taurants. some to private boarding houses,
but the majority were made the guests OF
Atlanta people. In fact, hundreds Of resi-
dences were thrown open, and uniform,
though its wearer was total stranger,
was as welcome as if he were an acqualnt-
ance OF years.
THE First Regiment Georgia Volunteers
was the largest military organization in
the city. 1t was nearly two hundred
strong. and was composed Of five compa-
MES. Lieutenant Colonel Reilly in COM
mand. In the line Of march the five COM
panies were assigned posi- ion as length of
service gave il TO them, the first in line
being the Republican Blues.
The second company was the Irish
Jasper Greens. This company fought
years ago, and once General jackson,
who spoke Yesterday Of the dead Gov
ernOr, led it on to victory.
'sClOse up behind the Greens in the line
Of march-but never behind in the line Of
battle-was the Oglethorpe Light In
fantry. Their uniform was gray with
buff trimmings. and with them was flag
at which many a shot had been fired.
The company, like all others Of its regi-
ment. is made up Of young and old men,
bers. Side by side walk men who have
fought a half-hundred stubborn battles
and men who have never smelt powder
except from a shotgun at target practice.
'sThe Germany Olunteers marched IN the
rear Of the OglethOrpes. The members
were large, fine looking soldiers, whose
bearing would make military chieftain's
| heart rejoice.
HLast in the First Georgia was the Sayan-
nah Cadets. The regiment is an old mill
tary organization, 1t was reorganiZed in
1872. and Yesterday there were in its ranks
veterans who fought in two wars.
s.There was a strong contrast between
the Savannah Cadets and the troops
which followed. This was the Savannah
Military Academy, and although they
followed men the youthful cadets kept
step and bore the fatigue Of the march
| like heroes.
"The members Of the company ranged
from eight years to fifteen years Of age.
Some were so small that their guns,
though light as finder, seemed great
| burden to them. They were attired in
cadet uniforms. and for an hour or more
! held large crowd on " hitehail street by
their drilling. Their eyOlutiOns seemed
almost faultless and by the ardOr which
each cadet displayed they Won golden
/ opinions for themselves.
1.-The oldest military organization in the
/ South and the oldest artillery company
in the United States, followed the Gate
/ CITY Guards. There was only detach-
ment Of the Chatham Artillery, but they
made an elegant appearance. AS the
I heavy carriages upon which the historic
I Washington guns were riding rumbled
along the spectators mind went back to
/ the dark days at Valley Forge On the
| carriages were seated the men. There
] was a veteran, whose empty sleeve and
crutch told Of the battlefield and the
/ beardless youth whose hardest toll was
/ his drilling school. Wherever military
organizations are known there is the
/ Chatham Artillery spoken Of.
when the lind Of march was taken up
! to the cemetery, the Savannah Volunteer
Guards Battalion We're in front. Before
/ this company was their brass band and
/ drum corps. and the music which they
{ furnished indicated that the band was
worthy to lead one of the oldest military
| organizations in the State. They carried
with them the magnificent flag which was
! presented to them by the dead Governor.
[ The banner is precious treasure to the
! company. 1t was draped in heavy mourn
/ ing, and as each soldier passed it, he not
only saluted it, but raised his cap from his
| head,
Probably Atlanta has not seen a cavalry
| company since the war, except the United
| States troops, until yesterday, and when
| the Georgia Hussars, booted and spurred,
went dashing by, the bloody days Of . go
were recalled. The company followed the
| Chatham Artillery. The men were
well mounted, some on their own horses,
which they brought with them, and some
on Atlanta steeds, and presented strik-
/ ing appearance"