The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-26

orier Resume OF the Company's Organi,
AS''0"-a Pleasant Day Spent at "wiiton
on the James" Yesterday,
Ihe semi-annual retinion Of the veterans
OF "F" Company Association took place
Yesterday at Wilton" on James river,
ABOUT eight miles below the city. This Asso-
ciation ranks among its members some OF The
Dest-known and most prominent citizens OF
Richmond, and it is looked upon with COM
mendable pride by those who know and
have heard OF their deeds in our trying time
For the benefit and information OF our
Younger folks, rs well as for the pleasure Of
the older ones, q brief sketch OF the early
history OF this old company Is published in
The belief that our people generally will
enjoy reading II.
EARLY HISTORY.
The date OF the original organization OF
IF" Company is the 10th OF October,
1850, now nearly twenty-four years ago.
The company had been formed some time
before that, but the 10Th Of October being
the anniversary Of one OF the most event.
full days OF the American Revolution, it
was decided to adopt that day as the COM
pany day, and so date its organization.
Under the command OF that sterling Off
Ger Captain X. Milton Cary Ito whom, by
the way, the company was indebted for the
splendid efficiency in drill for which il
was subsequently celebrated.) the company
assembled at Corinthan Hall, on Main be-
tween Ninth and Tenth streets, on
tie night OF the 18th of October,
1850, for their first inspection in
fttl1 t1 .lo:.
lie parade on the 10Th. Previous to that.
during the same afternoon, our people had
been thrown into ferment OF excitement
by the news from Harper's Ferry OF the
John Brown raid, and a report that Gov
ernor Wise was preparing TO send troops
there. Captain Cary being apprised OF the
latter fact, promptly rendered the services
OF his corps for immediate duty il required,
and the Governor, believing prompt action
necessary. accepted the offer and ordered
Captain Cary TO prepare his command for
immediate departure. At night rs the men
began to assemble at the hall, Captain Cary
placed two sentnels at the door. with or
der to allow none to leave the room
after entering it. BY hali-past I O'Clock
sixty men were present, and, forming the
company, Captain Cary informed them Oi
the trouble at Harper's Ferry and the
Governors orders for the movement OF the
company in that direction. The men re-
ceived the information with cheers, and
amid great enthusiasm preparations for the
march were at once began, and in a few
minutes finished, the only thing necessary
for active service, in addition to what they
already lad, being ammunition, which was
speedily procured. The mail train over
The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Poto-
mac railroad, for Washington, had been
delayed hall an hour for the military, and
at O'Clock they reached the depot. corner
Of Eighth and Broad streets, and embarked
for the scene Of trouble, Governor Wise
accompanying them. An immense crowd
OF people had gathered to see them off, and
as the train started cheer upon cheer fol-
lowed the departing soldiers.
THE ROLL or HONOR.
The following is n list OF members who
left on that memorable night for Ilarper's
Ferry
Captain r. Milton Cary.
First Lieutenant: t. q. Peyton.
Sergeants First, Jesse Wherry; Fourth,
r. II. Cunningham, Captain Cary's success
sor soon after the breaking out OF the war J
Corporas: First, T.. ID. Sturdivant: Sec
ond, A. n. Walker; Fourth, w. r. j. Pc
gram.
Privates: E. W. Ayres, J. W. Archer,
J. r. Burwell, W. Leigh Burton, 4. A.
Brander. G.. T. Bruen. j. Thompson
Brown. George Baughman, Z. 5. Calvert,
Jr.. V. II. Claiborne. Isaac \. Cooke, Jesse
Child, Clay Drewry, Thomas Elicit, J. II.
Ellerson, William Ii. II. Gregory, W. 7.
Gibson. Charles w. Harwood. Irving Hull,
Lucien Hill. w. o. Harvey, W. \. Jen-
kins, Joseph ;. James, William Jackson,
Thomas q. Jackson. L. {. Kcrrigan, \. \.
Lorentz. c. Mitteldorier, Charles 4. Me-
Evoy, John II. Munford, II. c. Macmurdo,
II. +. Miller. :. ;. Nicholas, William b.
Newman, John 4. PzZini. n. Il. Pate,
Parke PoindeXter, j. b. Payne, Henry V.
Picot. +. T. Robinson, VI. l.. Randolph,
II. w. Starke, J. T. Smith, Charles +.
Smith, 4. W. Snead, f. G.. Tompkins, NJ.
seph j. White, j. J. Woodruff, p. \.
Wexford, and l.. Zlmmer.
The following members followed by the
next train: Second Lieutenant j. X.
Crenshaw, Third Sergeant Harvey \. Dud-
ley, Color Sergeant L. q. Rawlings. Cor
poral Patterson Allan, and Priyates 4. Il.
Courtney, W. :. Jinkins, Shirley King, Il.
T. TAYLOR, John W. Powell, and w. w.
Turner seventy all told.) The remainder
of the First Regiment Of Virginia Nolun-
teers Ito which "F" Company was At
tached) were also on this train.
Upon the arrival OF the company at Har-
per's Ferry the next day il was found that
the so-called insurrection had been quelled
by United States marines sent from Wash
ington, and several OF the raiders, includ-
ing the prime instigator, John Brown, cap
tured. Their services not being needed,
the company was ordered back home.
THE COMPANY AT CHARLEsTOwN.
Their next experience OF active soldier
life was at Charestown, after the cOnyic-
tion and sentencing OF John Brown. when
many rumOrs were circulated that organ
lied bodies Of men would attempt a rescue.
In view OF these rumors Governor Wise
ordered the military OF the State to assem-
bic al and in the vicinity Of Charlestown.
"F" Company being then a component
part OF the First regiment OF Virginia vol
unteers, reached CharlestOwn on the 10Th
OF November, 1859, and remained there on
duty with the other military until the day
after the execution OF John Brown, which
occurred on the I'd Of December, when
they returned to Richmond.
IT'S WAR RECORD.
From that time until the breaking out Of
the war the company continued TO improve
in efficiency and to rank among the best
volunteer organizations Of the country. Its
war record is a matter OF history, which
would occupy too much space in these
columns TO even summarize. Suffice 1t TO
say that no organization in the Confederate
army acquired more enviable reputation
for its general efficiency and the gallantry
OF its men, individually and collectively,
and not another, II is believed, contributed
a. many officers to the command of the gal