The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-21
MILITARY MATTERS.
+" Company's Competitive Drill
East Nisht-AVpointmen or stsa
Omeors-The Ccsebratiou OF the 22d.

Last night there was large gathering Of
citizens, including a goodly number OF
ladies, at the Regimental Armory TO witt
ness the competitive drill OF that iayorite
organization "F" Company. Ats O'clock
about twenty-five Of the veterans OF of"
Company Association met in the oflicerS
room, and, under command OF Captain
Maxwell I. Clarke, were marched up into
the drillhall, and took position In line
on one side, and In few minutes the
company, numbering thlrty-fiye rank
and file, followed and proceeded TO per
form various evolntions, some OF them be-
ins SO well done that they elected generous
applause from the spectators. The COM
pany was then drawn mp In single rank
and underwent rigid inspection from the
officers who had been selected TO act as
Judges on the occasion-Lieutenant- Colo
mel 10. Lane Stern, Captain l.. j. Bossieux.
and Captain II. c. Jones. The men were
then put through the manual OF arms
for some time, when rest was ordered.
The judges, after consultation and COM
pairing notes, ordered all but fifteen
TO fall out, aud then the COM
test in the manual became lively. One by
one, as mistake was detected, the Num-
Der decreased until only two-Sergeant U.
G.. Cosby and Private Thomas Carter. the
latter n new member-were left. A few
minutes more Of sharp work followed,
when the recruit succumbed, and victory
perched upon the banner Of the tall and
soldierly-looking Sergeant. The result
was greeted with great applause, and the
successful contestant was heartily congrat-
ulated by his comrades and friends. The
prize which had teen so earnestly
striven for was presented to the
company by the veteran Association,
and is an exquisite and costly piece OF
workmanship-the letter "f" in gold,
studded with diamonds, inside Of golden
circle, upon which i engraved the in
scription, "F Company Association; to
the Best shot, the whole pendant from
golden scroll with crossed rifles embossed
upon It. This beautiful prize was pre-
sented to Sergeant Cosby by Captain ". I.
Clarke, Of the Association, in a hsppy and
appropriate little speech.
In the absence OF Captain A. l., Elicit,
the company was commanded by Lieuien-
ant I. \. Cary, who was ably seconded by
Lieutenant W. c. Leiebyre.
The veterans OF the Associaiion-thosc
war-wOrn men who, by reason Of yalor and
actual war experience, to say nothing OF
the lame ol uflli ana company cNCelcnce,
who gained n Confederate national fame
must have OF course enjoyed the recalling
Of the recollection Of those brave and IA
nous days that have served to perpctuate
their individuality.
Captain John II. Dinneen, adjutant OF
the First Virginia regiment, has, at his own
request. by reason OF residence ont OF the
city, been granted leave OF absence until
October 1st, and Lieutenant 7. A. Cary. OK
F Company, has been appointed acting adj
jutant until further orders.
. Captain Jacob MichauX, assistant sur
geon, has been appointed surgeon, with
the rank Of major.
Colonel Charles J. Anderson has ordered
the regiment to parade tomorrow after
noon at O'Clock to celebrate Washington's
birthday.
The Blues, too, will parade tomorrow.