The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-08
THE HAPPY HOWITZERS.
FUN AND FRoLIC YESTERDAY,
Animal Targct-Practice and Reunion-tiood
Marksmanship and Rich "Reminiscences
Pleasant and Genini Occasion.


Perhaps no military organization IN the
capital city Of the State has prouder and
more glorious record than the Richmond
IIowitzers. In days agone, when hours
came that tried mems souls, it was expect
ed OF them TO do much, and throughout
the history of the trying times OF war
there is nothing on record to show aught
else but golden account Of tne manner in
which they always bore themselves. Many
an old Confederate soldier, spared from
the hurting missiles OF death on the bat
tle.fields OF Virginia, will recollect this
artillery organization and recall the pleas
ing sensations their presence always gave
whenever a prospect OF tough work or
stubborn encounter lay ahead. The How
itzers always were cheered by the infantry,
and they worked so bravely and stood to
their guns so manfully that they deserved
the high praise that was so generously ac-
corded them.
The war Is over now. The old Howitz-
ers are peace-loyiug people. with snow
fecked hair, time-marked faces, and figures
that tell Of age and scrvice-not OF the
holiday sort, but sincere and sharp, mack
ing OF priyation, devotion to duty, even
unto death. They no longer stand beside
their loved guns, but in their places are a
new generation, worthy successors to the
rich legacy OF fame that clusters about the
name they inherit. The young and the old
have annual retnions, and yesterday an an
niyersary celebration OF this sort took place
at Dover Mills. on the Richmond and Ale
ghany railroad, and was Joined in by the
members Of the Richmond Howizer Asso-
citation, comprising the surviving members
OF the war organization, 4 few invited
guests, and the present fine command,
Richmond Howitizers, Captain E. j. Bo-
sher.
The night before, detail from the COM
pany took two riflc-pieces up to Dover,
and, under instructions, target s by 10
feet was placed at distance OF 1,S00 yards.
The IlowitZers and their friends reached
Dover IN good time yesterday morning,
and at II O'Clock the artillery target-prac-
tice commenced.
Captain Bosher placed himself in position
near the target in order to observe the
score closely, and be is authority for the
statement that the firing this year was
much better upon the average than upon
any similar occasion Of previous years.
The men handled their pretty rifcd can
non beautifully, and their shots kicked up
a cloud Of dust all around the target, but
none actually strucklt. The best shot was
made by John r. Jones, bugler; the second
best by C. W. Mcfarland OF the old Second
Company; and the third by Mr.. Il. NJ.
Gwathmey. All OF these shots barely
missed the target.
A free shoOting-match open to all was
offered by Captains ii. G. Jones and A. J..
Bargamin, Of the First regiment. Provided
with Winchester rifles and n plenty OF
shells, these gentlemen had 4 target set up
at a distance of 500 yards, and invited every
one who felt so disposed to compete for the
prize Of the best Workmanship. Some re-
markably fine shooting followed, the best
shot beng made by p. j. Burton, who
drove the centre OF the bulps-eye. Major
Henry c. Carter and Captain A. l.. Barga-
min also struck the bulrs-eye. This shoot
ing-match was witnessed with great deal
OF interest.
With a provident regard for the wants
OF the inner man, the Howitzers brought
along with them generous supply OF GOOD
things to eat and drink. Even on the ears,
before the twenty-one miles 10 Dover hnd
been run, lemonade and sandwiches were
served; and after the arrival at Dover the
same lunch was kept standing until near din
ner-time. COmmissary-Sergeant A. 1. Am
mons, although suffering from his recent
accident, did his duty manfully, and de-
serves special praise for the manner IN
which he had the collation. served.
One curious thing about the HoWltzers
is this The old veterans are boys in genial
behavior, and the boys who now wear the
uniform Oyerwhelm You with polite atten-
ton. IL was a noticeable and unprece-
4. =. fhat
pushed forward, and that the Howitzers
with unsparing pains waited upon every
one and saw their friends satisfied before
they looked to themselves at all; and AL
this was done so gracefully that it seemed
to be pleasure; and when il is considered
that these gentlemen were hungry all the
time some idea OF their poiteness may be
inferred.
Some of the boys brought out football,
and the amount Of fun this provoked was
not bv any means small Then there was
talk OF old times-hOw Mr.. T. Roberts
Baler. an old Howiizer, stood to his duty
as cook while 4 Yankee gunboat shelled
the men TO cover and caused him to be or
dered away from his post early in the war,
leaving the supper TO fall prey to hogs,
and how Sydnor and Lumpkin came
back from AppomattoX Courthouse,
and later how Corporal Odn G. Clay
has kept watch and ward over two gallons
OF whlskey given the boys by Mr.. Il. u.
Blankenship on the occasion OF the York
town Centennial, which said two gallons
were duly produced yesterday. Again,
there was game OF baseball by old yete-
rams and young Howitzers, OF which the
following is the score:
pkTTFpy cr