Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-08-13
AN INTERESTING RELIC.

70 the editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
have just been looking over on old relic,
namely, the Journal of the Fairfax Military
Society, which organization came into ex-
isteuce just sixty years ago, at least, the first
date in what is left Of the book is 1926.
It is stated in the first article of the con-
stitulion that las the object Of the society
is the promotion of military science, the at
tention of the society shall be confined to
practical military discipline, military dis
cussion aud military law"
There were six regular meetings during
the year, one in each month from April to
September inclusive. The places Of meet
ing were the "taverns" in the town of Prov
ideuce. They were three in number, those
of Mr.. VIM. L. Richardson, Mr. T.. e. But
Ter, and Major John Bronaugh. The last
meeting Of which we have any record was
held at Mr.. Il. +. Buffers, November q,
1890 The officers were elected annually,
but the same ones remained in during the
existence of the society: Col. VIM. &. B.
Butler, president; Maj. Frederick Carper,
secretary; Capt. Spencer M. Ball, treasurer.
At one OF the meetings Col. John H. Dye
and Ma or Taylor were elected honorary
members during the continuance OF the so
cie'y" The names OF the members were as
follows, with their respective titles as far as
found: Colonel, VIM. e.. 4. Butler; Lt.-Col-
ouel, Silas Burke; Major, Frederick Carper;
Captain, Spencer NJ. Ball, Lawrence l.. Sum
mers, Hancock Lee, Capt w. Kitchen, Geo.
Beard; hdjutant, Henry q. Butler, Ibos.
}. Minor, WIN. H. Dye; Captain, Z"arkinh
kidwelI, Wm. w. Lawrence, Nathaniel Ty-
Ter, James H. Darne. Capt. Horny 5. MILAN;
LIEUTENANT, Lewis T.. Blackburn, Francis
Il. RAlclilfe Captain. Genrge Chichester;
Lieutenant. VIM NJ EIlzey, Thomas J.
HALEY; Captain, Sanford Hutchinson,
Lieutenant, William II. Chichester;
Captain Tapley Worsler. John Hud
dleson, It, F!zhugh aul Lit. Il. Is. Ratclifl;s.
The organization was improving aad ole
waiting The constitution ami bylaws, as
well rs The general bearing Of the members,
Indicate superior qualities, which qualities
have been handed down 10 their descend
ants Of the present generation. Many OF
Them left sons who were chivAIrons in war
aud ute bearing themselves we'll as citizens.
Their honored names are being perpetuated.
The ri esdeut, Col. VIM. G. b. Butler. is
spoken of as gentleman of superior worth
aud culture. He never married, but about
his namc fingers one OF these peculiarly
sweet aud touching stories Of love prospects
not bIighted by disappointment. but never
cn,summated on account of failure Of for
tune OIL his part, reminding one of the story
of poor Bradford
I'D offer thee this h-nd Of mine,
l. l could love thee less;
For hearts rs warm and pure "a thine
Should never know Distress"
Whether there is any foundation for the
story or not we are unable to say.
The social feature Of the organization was
not ignored, for social enjoyment was a
great deal to the average Virginian Of sixty
years ago. Social qualities, in his judy
ment, were at least worth cultivsting
l thought that some of your readers might
feel an interest in this old relic, the Journal,
and that some Of them might call up some
interesting facts connected with the associ-
alton, or some things in the personal histo-
nv of its bonored members.
w. G.. HAMMOND.