Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-03
A CENTURY AT THE GUNS.
HISTORY OF THE GALLANT
CHATHAM ARTTLLERY.

It's Organization one hundred Years
Ago-Its First service gainst the
"IAIng of hngland's Soldiers"-At
the Grave of Gen. Greene-The
Men who Have Led the Corps in
Times of Peace and War.
Surviving the shocks and changes Incl
dent TO organizations of like character,
having without interruption main aimed
since its inception an active existence
and having with alacrity, ability and pa
triotism performed at all umes and in all
places the duties winch devoyed upon IT,
the Chatham Artiilery-the Oldest voun-
teer military company within the limits
Of the Southern otates-wlth unusual
pomp and circumstance proudly cele-
brates it's Centennial anniversary. Sym.
patnIzing in the attractions OF the oeca-
sion, thousands have assembled from sis
fer States TO signify Their interest In this
important event, to participate in It's fes-
tIyities and martial contests, and to ten
der to this venerable corps their cordial
congratulations. surely the season is
most apt Tor the Interchange OF cOurtesies
and salutatiOns..
Among the founders OF the Chatham
Artillery were many who had in person
share he perils and the privations NJ &C
tive service in the Army of the RevOlu-
ton, who, approaching the value Of indie.
pendence, dearly bOu gut, were resolved
loyalty and msnfully to perpetuate its
existence. Profoundly did its members
reco nze the fact that in a country sucD
as aU which we then possessed,
emcOmpassed by dangers. most inn
pOrtan6 was the station of tue
citizen soldier; that in republics vOlun-
ter military Organisations are, 10 peace.
the natu al guardians of law, and tnat To
them, IN seasons Of apprehen sion, must
The community look Tor prompt prOtec-
hUn.
CHILD OF AN HEROIC AGE.
This artillery corps was the child of
that heroic aye consequent upon the sue
cesstul termination o. the American
struggle Tor freedom from English rule
It's first Captain, EIwaod LlWd. had
been a Lieutenant IN the Continental
army, and had lost an arm during the
siege Of Savannah IN Oct. 1873. Its earl
lest held service WAS rendered in May.
1856, wnen, in assO .iatinn with the first
reglm Mt of Chatham county and certain
truOp- from Beaufort district, south Caro-
lima, a fortified camp OF runaway negroes
and ireeDOOr ers. yhng g. en- selves king
OF Englaud's : idieIs," established on
Bear creek, in Etfingham county, was at
tackled and its occupants were Killed,
wounded, captured or dispersed. Toe ar.
mament tnen consisted Of only two 4
FOUNDER guns.
The same year to the Chatham Artil-
lery was assigned the duty OF tring min
ute guns aud Of dscharging the funeral
salute UPON the occa sion of the sculpture
of Nafh oil
CENTURY AGO.
Upon tie celebration OF the "anniver-
sary oil American independent July 4,
1856, he thirteen regular toasts
were responded to by discharges
of cannon from Capt. LOyd's
Artillery" and, u reproduce The compli-
meRt extended by the Georgia Gdsette,
Sin the evening Capt. LlOyd's company OF
artillery exhibited a lively and striking
scene OF fireworks which did honor to the
abilities OF the Captain and his company,
and which we are happy to assure the
public bids fair to be equal to any corps
OF tue kind in toe world" At that eariy
period 1t was deemed necessary that an
artillerist should be acquainted not only
with the school OF the piece and of the
battery. but also with the practical man
ufacture OF fire-balls. rockets. port-fires,
slow matches, aud signals. TO that end
one afternoon 10 eacn week was devoted
10 acquiring the art of pyrOtechny. These
sud- aud lahprs We're conducted at the
lahOratory-a wO lden building then used
by me company, and occupying a portion
OF the lot upon which ArmOry hall now
stands.
THE GALATIANS EARLY FRIENDS.
Between the Chatham Artillery and
the Georgia branch OF tue SO
ciety OF the Cincinnati exist
cd afn
maintained as long as that order survived
WITHIN the limits OF this communicable.
MAY lst-cOnsecrated to The memory OF
Tue rut-lar Saint of America-and July
4th We're often celebrated by Them con-
Jointly at Browns Coffee house," or at
the "Filatur, - the iesiIvit es consisting
of a bOuntiiul repast enIivened by REGULAR
and volunteer tOasts redolent of patriot
ism, Of admiration for the sex, o.
devotion to the memory OF the H.
iustrlOus departed. aud OF hOIe tor the
fuiufe. They were rendered emphatic by
the roar OF cannon, and often Concluded
With display OF fireworks prepared Dy
the ariill ri-ts. Upon these festive occa-
SONS there was generous flow of excel
lent brandy and genuine Madeira wine.
Thomas Ellie, the second Captain. was
in command of the company when, in
1871. Gen. George Washington visited
Savannah, and was for several days the
honOred guest of ar admiring community.
The earth-mOunds covering the dead who
fell during the siege of savannah had not
then yielded TO the obi erating influences
OF the tempest. and some OF the dwellings
within the limits OF the town still bore the
scars OF the bombardment.
GEN. WASHINGTON sALUTED.
Survivors OF the war gathered from
all quarters, welcomed the Illus
trious cbieitaIn, aud strove in gem
erOus emulation TO render every
possible honor to him who had led
the Revolutionary forces 10 victory.
Whenever he appeared in public he was
sauted with salyos from the guns of the
Chatham Artillery. In an order pub
lished by Gan. James jackson, the com.
handing officer ~ the militia and vOlun-
teer forces IN the southern part of Geor-
gia. appears the following gratifying allu-
sion 10 the conduct of the battery: at
is "A pleasure tn the General to announce
20 the artillery the very general applause
they received on Saturday, and, what
ought TO immOrtaize the corps, the appro.
baton OF their conduct expressed in the
wa-mest terms by the COMMANDMENT
Chief OF the United states, The General
hopes that this character, so firmly es-
tablished. will long continue them an or
nament 20 the militia and All honor to the
State OF Georgia"