Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-11-26
THE MILITARY OF THE VALLEY.

1t IS not very pleasant news to know
that the Second Regiment of Virginia
Volunteer Infantry, the companies COM
posing which were two or three years ago
organized in this Valley, is about to 60 to
pieces if. in fact, it has not already passed
out of the list of regiments recognized by
the Commander in Chief, Gov. Lee. At
the last inspection. two only of its compa-
MES were inspected, and the least number
a regiment can have ia six. Staunton 3 con-
tribution to that fine regiment was COM
pany worthy of 1.-THE West Augusta
Guard. That as long been thing of the
i, past. and yet no organization had better
material ,or one which promised longer life.
1t is hardly complimentary to the spirit OF
our white peoI le to know that Stanton
has two colored infantry companies which
not only MI or the number of men re
quired by law, but which are in other re-
spects in most crediJable condition. and
that they constitute the only volunteer in
fantry force IN the city. We concede that
it is draft on the patriotism of young Tnen
to give the tilre and attention to military
companies which they require, but we
would not like also to concede that all the
patriotism which this thing requires is
contained In tie young colored men of the
town and mont left for the young white
men.
1t would not be very creditable to ou'
State if the First Brigade of Volunteer
Infantry should be allowed to decline, and
yet without one of its only three regiments
the colored troops have separate Or
, ganization of their own-the prospect is
| not so remote as to be viewed without
concern. To prevent this the old compa-
vived and we, in Staunton. should begin
the good work by reforming the West Au-
glsta Guard. The material is still here
and even more of il than there was. Let
| some former officer or private call meet
ing and enlist the interest ofour young men
in the formation of first-class infantry
company. 1t is something that our bust
| ness men should countenance and not re-
press, for, after all, the military of State
| is its police force and is as necessary as
the uniformed police who walk our streets
daily. If an organization can be formed.
let the ladies-that power which has
shown itself SO successful IN Staunton in
| aiding public OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES it as
sistance by public entertainments for its
benefit and set it well upon it's feet. Our
city to-day presents the remarkable char
acteristic of town with frst-class, uni
| formed and equipped brass band without
an infantryman to march after its music.
1t IS also unique in another respect-it is
the only town of its size in Virginia that
has not a single white infantry company.
| If Staunton were to lead the way in this
revival of the Second Regiment it would,
in all probability, have the effect of COM
municatlng the spirit to other Val
ley towns, the organization could be
saved, and the First Brigade of Virginia
State Troops remain brigade in fact as
we'll as name. Like most of our appeals
for action where enterprise is needed. the
! INDICATOR appeals to the young men of
, the city IN this matter. If three or four
of them start the movement there is little
| chance uf it's failing.