Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-06


SAVANNAH VOLUNTEER GUARDS.
The old Battalion HOnOrs Its New Lieu
tenant Colonel.
Last evening about one hundred MEM
beers and invited guests Of the Savannah
Volunteer Guards Battalion, preceded Dy
the band Of the battalion, marched from
the armory, on Whitaker street, 10 the
residence Of their newly elected
Lieutenant Colonel. William Gar
rard- on President street, between
Abercorn and Drayton, and formed IN
single rank ON the pavement
h, front Of the residence.
Quite large delegation OF members Oh
other military organizations in the city
were formed in double rank in the rear OF
the line. which extended from
OgIethOrpe square on the east
to DraytOn street on the west:
The fGuards' Band in full uniform, and
with their new instruments, rendered a
number of popular airs, after Which
Colonel Garrard appeared and was enthu,
siastically greeted by the battalion, and
after quiet was restored, addressed them
in substance as follows:
sFellol1 members Of the Savannah V0tlnl-
feer Guards: l appear to thank you for
this cordial greeting, but regret that
NV quarters are not Suinclently
large to permit me to invite you
in. am about to leave the
city on the train tonight, and
hence regret that / cannot return the
compliment you pay me, but If you VIII
tender me your escort to your armory we
NAV there, for brief interval, indulge in
conyivialities suitable 10 the occasion"
The COlOnel's remarks were received
with rounds of applause, and the battalion,
with the Colonel at its head, preceded
by the band. marched up Presi-
dent street TO the armOry, where
a most tempting array Of refreshments
was spread. with three mammoth punch
bowls and number of bottles of cham
paene in the foreground, together with
bOuntiful supply of fragrant Havanas.
Colonel Garrard here advanced to the
front and centre, and asked his fellow
soldiers to charge their glasses before pro-
ceeding further.
When the glasses were filled the Colonel
said that he regarded this occasion with
a great deal of sOlemnity as well as pride,
and not merely as time for the drinking OF
the health Of those who participated in the
festivities of the hour, but in renewing
the pledges which were given by him when
he was elected to command the bat
TALON. He said that the
election made himself and the
members of the battalion parties TO
compact which he, on his part, would
strictly execute, and he hoped every men,
Der would unite with him in maintaining
the well known reputation of the corps, as
pithily expressed in two wOrds-'splendid
history" Applausel.
He then referred to the history of the
command in 1902 and 1872, and said he felt
himself bound to maintain its prestige
and advance its record, but with
out the aid of his fellow soldiers he could
not discharge this duty.
The Colonel then referred to the time
when. as member of an Alabama bril-
gade. he participated with Georglans IN
covering the retreat of one of the COnfed-
crate armies, which would have failed but
for the bravery of the GeOTgians, who
rushed upon the enemy and put them to
flight.
In conclusion, Colonel GarTard renewed
his pledges TO the command, and proposed
a toast in honor of the battalion. His re-
marks were greeted with enthusiasm from
first 10 last.
Colonel Basinger was then called for,
and made a few remarks cOmplimenting
his successor and wishing the Guards
BattaliOn-as glorious a record in the fu-
ture as il had achieved in the past.
A number of members of other military
organizations in the city also made
speeches, and the remarks OF Sergeant j.
X. Saussv, Solicitor General Charlton,
Mr. James L. Taylor, Colonel Mcintosh,
Captain Thomas Screyen and others took
the assemblage by storm.
Colonel GaTrard finally advanced to the
front and requested the members of the
command to remain in the hall and enjoy
themselves. and not escort him to the de
pot as they had intended to do. Where
upon the band gave "DiXie" with fine
effect, when Colonel Garrard was escorted
to his carriage. and the festivities were
soon afterwards brought to a close.