Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-05

Rauardipo s. Ssnchez, JuniorSecondL Lieut..
presented themselves under the commits
sions which they acid from the Gov
ernor. On May l. preceding their being
mustered into the service OF the Conted-
crate States,the seventY-htth anniversary
of the corps was celebrated with most in
teresting ceremonies, on which occasion
an eloquent Grafton commemorative OF its
history from it's earliest organizationwa as
pronounced by the Hon. Charles Z. Jones,
r.. then their Senior First Lieutenant.
on Oct. IA. 1862, Lieut.. Jones was pro-
NOTED and commissioned as Lieutenant
Colonel OF artillery, and ordered TO report
for duty to Brig. Gen. Mercer, by whom
ne was announced as chief of artillery,
and ordered to the command Of the light
batteries in the military district OF Geor-
ga. in which capacity he continued to
render most efficient and valuable SER
vices to his state and country during all
the bardships, and encounterlng all the
dangers of the war.
THE GALATIANS HISTORIAN.
And since it's close, rendering not less
valuable services to your corps and the
State as the distinguished historian OF
both, and l gratefully acknowledge my
obligations to him for the aid aud assist
ance received from HIM In my prepara-
ton for the duties OF this day: Every
man WAS III GdTuSsAs bCI hAoOAooO0g
not the political questions OF the day, as
TO the right or wrong Of secession. Their
State called the soldier to the field and
that call was Obeyed. Captain Claghorn
was ever unremitting in his eXertions,
careful in his plans and regulations, and
the company was soon recruited 10 more
than 100 men. with horses, drivers and
cannOneers, making them thoroughly
drilled and mounted battery. On Dec. "a,
lob sFNy fhNnNNfn0 q
cOnlcal projectile Of nearly II pounds
In weight, which had been brought
through the blockade, was assigned to
this battery by Brigadier Gen. LawtOn as
a special mark of the esteem in which the
battery was held by him, and as a reward
for the proficiency ard skill which it had
already attained. For many months 1t
continued in their possession, and was
USED by them in the battle OF Secession
willie. W hen the armament of the battery
was changed it passed out of the hands of
the company, and was abandoned by
Wagner's German artillery upon the re-
treat from Bryan county, when at the
close of the war it was retiring within
the Confederate lines on the old DarIen
road, upon the advance of Sherman's
army.
THE FIRST HOSTILE GUNS.
The first hostile guns were heard in the
encampments of the battery on Oct. 80,
1861. On that day launches from block
aiding vessel attempted to set fire to a
schooner which had stranded near the
Confederate battery on the North point of
Warsaw Island. This battery was at
the time garrisOned by the Republican
Blues of Savannah, and opened fire upon
the launches, which resulted in an en-
gagement which was terminated by the
withdrawal OF the Federals without &C
complishing their purpose. This was the
hrst passage of arms on the coast of
Georgia.
Immediately after the battle OF Seven
Pines, Gen. Lawton. who from the first
moment when as Colonel of the State reg
iment under the order of Gov. Brown, he
had occupied Fort Pulaski, and thus as
serted the independence of Georgia, and
her determination to resume her State
sovereignty, had with ability and patriot
ism devoted his entire time and all his
energies to the defense of Georgia, re-
ceived an order to prepare 5000 men to
move on to Richmond at the shortest no.
tice. His prompt reply was: ''My men,
to the number designated, are ready to
march at once, and l earnestly request
that / may be ordered to Virginia with
them" This request was granted, and
history records how he. there illustrated
his State, and gladdened the hearts of
Der people by his gallant deeds
PREPARED FOR WAR.
The Chatham Artillery, then a part of
his command, earnestly solicited to be
allowed to follow their General 10 the feld
OF battle. Their application was warmly
seconded by Gen. LawtOn, but was re-
fused because their services were deemed
absolutely necessary on The seacOasS of
Georgia.
On Dec. r. 1862, when by the exertions
OF Capt. ClaghOrn the battery had been
raised to the number of 1865 men, the ami
mails carefully trained and all the appoint
meDts OF the battery in excellent order,
be resigned the command of the company
70 accept the appointment Of Lieutenant
Colonel and Ordinance Officer upon the
staff of Mai. Gen. GustaVus W. Smith,
commanding the Georgia militia and the
state forces. Passing through all the
dangers of the war, Capt. Clagh0rn died
at his own home, in the city Of Savannah,
on April s, 1879, bOnOred as your former
commander, respected and beloved by you
As your feil0w-citizen, having been as a
man, all that wife, child or friend could
aOpe for. He was buried by tue Chatham
Artillery with military hOnors, leaving no
one of your eX-Captains surviving but
him who now addresses you.
THE GALATIANS HoNORED COMMANDER,
The vacancy occasiOned by the resigna-
sion OF Capt ClaghOrn was filled by the
promotion of the then Junior First Lieut..
John #. Wheaton 10 the Captaincy, who
Is yet your hOnOred and beloved COM
mander, having been your Captain for
more than one-quarter Of the entire pc
Rod OF the existence Of the corps.
John +. Wheaton was born at Clifford,
New Haven county, IN the State of Con.
nectcut on Jan. -, 1872. After a short
residence at Hartford and Bridgeport ia
MS native state, he came TO Savannah in
1907, and having selected this as his
nome, has been one OF our most useful
and valued citizens for more than one
third OF century. lie became a member
OF the Chatham Artillery in May, 1856,
was appointed chairman Of the armOry
ssmmi'tee, 1859, which position he has
held rom that time up 10 the present. Du-
ring that period the entire debt for the orig
inal cost OF the armOry, about $4,000, un-
uef DIS Jtdlcious management has been re-
ureu. A large amount has been expended
10 repairs to tue armOry building, aud the
c0lhpany's quarters have been comfort
aDly ana tastelully furnished. Your
washington guns have been handsomely
mounted on substantial carriages, one
ppounder gun, two caissOns aud har-
nesses for four guns have been purchased.
inc harness room has been built from the
brmory fund, and on May /. 1885, there
we're $4,000 TO the credit OF that fund.
plnce that date the armOry has been im-
proved at an expense OF about $1,000. and