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

men during the most eyentful month of
the memorable siege of that fort.
THE BATTLE OF oLUsT.E.
Transferred from the coast of South
Carolina TO the everglades of Florida,
under the command of Gen. Colquitt, the
company was engaged in the famous bat
tie OF Olustee where, by The skillful hand
ling OF their battery they greatly con-
tributed to the winning OF that glorious
victory. 1t participated in the recon-
noisance and engagement at Cedar creek
and at Columbia, ). G.. Retreating with
zen. JOhnston's army through South
Carolina from Columbia to Smithville,
thence to Raleigh and thence to Greensbo-
rough where IL was surrendered in April,
1860, with JohnstOn's entire command.
Immediately after the surrender The COM
pany was marched TO Augusta, Ca,
where 1t was disbanded as a Confederate
organization. Thus, from the time when
the curtain rose At Pulaski to it's falling
at GreensborOugh, the Chatham Artillery
was nObly performing it's part in this great
drama which had fixed the attention of
the world for four years, and been bap-
tlzed in the blood of thousands engaged
IN constant and active service, enduring
eheeriullY every privation, fearlessly en-
countering every danger, and during the
w heat0n as commander.
RECoNsTRUCTIoN's DARK DAYS.
During the dark days of reconstruction
the company was not permitted to retain
its military character, vet all the mem
bers assembled in citizens dress, when
ever summoned by their officers for the
transaction OF business. Although their
armory was seized by the forces of the
United States in December, 1864, and
placed under the control of the Freeman's
Bureau until June, 1868, the interest
due on the armOry's scrip was at all
times paid, and the general welfare Of the
organization was carefully looked after
and attended to. The social characters
tics that had so long been features of the
company, were retained and continued
during That Illuminating period. On Feb.
-, 1866 the company gave grand picnic,
and since that date has given one every
year, in which it's members, their
families and friends participated,
On Jan. 10, 1872, the anniversary of the
birthday of Gen. Robert X. Lee, the COM
pany made its first uniformed appearance
after the war, and since that date has
paraded on all its regular parade DAYS,
on all public occasions, retaining in Its
advanced age its true military bearing,
its social instincts, its patriotic and
public spirit, remaining true to the prin-
ciples that actuated the fathers and pro-
its organization.
AFTER THE SURRENDER.
AS soon alter the surrender OF the Con-
federate army as the nature of the case
and the exigency of the times would per-
NIT, the company wasTeorganized upon a
peace basis. Their Washington guns,
which had been carefully buried and cen
cealed during the war, were resurrected
from their hiding-place and remOunted
and restored to their former position as
honorary field pieces of the battery. The
old spirit still survived, and the Chatham
Artillery was again restored to It's pres
tine vigOr and Its high reputation among
the volunteer companies of Savannah.
The objects of the fOun ders OF this military
organization are thus expressed in the
preamble to the rules and regulations of
the company:
Impressed with firm belief that the
safety OF the gloriO7s institutions under
which we live, and which have been be-
queathed to us as a sacred and inestiIna-
BILE legacy, purchased BY the blood and
toll OF the fathers of the Republic depends
upon we'll regulated and strictly disct-
plined militia, and that such a militia is
especially necessary in the community in
which we live, from the peculiar charac-
ter of our population which renders it
necessary to be always prepared, and
ever on the alert to meet a danger which
may have its being among US without our
knowledge, and may break forth in our
most unsuspecting moments. Fully con-
WINGED that 1t is the duty of every citizen
to contribute not only to the peculiarly
eXigencies of his country when demanded,
but to be prepared in times Of danger
when the peace and welfare and dignity
of that country are threatened to inter-
pose his person as a shield and safeguard
between her and dishonor.
MEN OF HONOR.
THAT TO obtain this laudable and hon.
orable object, a proper organization and
a strict bond of union and action are re-
quired as well in peace as IN war, and
that n corps devoted TO the service of
field armOry is an honorable, important
and efficient branch OF the national or
state defense, atording the best OppOrtu-
mites TO render valuable those services
which 1t is our duty and desire to prefer
to our beloved country on all occasions
when the support OF her right or interest
may demand them, we the officers, nom
commissioned officers and privates Of the
Chatham Artillery whose names are here
reeited, and with a view to obtain a
knowledge OF military tactics, and
especially that portion more particularly
embraced under the title OF our associa.
tion, do hereby solemnly agree to the fol-
lowing rules for the government Of the
Chatham Artillery. and we do hereby
pledge our honor, for which our signature
Is witness, that we will TO the best of our
ability and understanding devote our
selves to the advancement of the interests
OF the corps, to which we have voluntarily
attached ourselves. by all honorable
means, and ardentiy cooperate in the in
crease of its strength. responsibility and
discionne, and that we will foster and
maintain sentiments OF respect ana al
lection towards each other as soldiers and
ciLizeng, aud united as a band OF brothers,
devote ourselves, when occasion requires
il, to the service of our Country"
A CENTURY OF YEARS.
1t may with just pride be affirmed that
for an entire century the members OF this
company have faithfully and jealousy
endeayored on all occasions and under all
circumstances 10 redeem the pledges and
maintain the sentiments thus early given
and recorded. In generosity, patriotism,
selfdenial, courtesy and true manhood,
the aims OF this, the Oldest volunteer COM
pany, preserving its consecutive, unin-
terrnpted existence within the limits OF
the Southern States have never been found
wanting. Surviving the yicissitudes Of
fortune and the shock OF battle, this Or
ganzatiOn, although the changes OF a
century and the food OF twice fifty years
have svant over II Is now IA buOVant in