The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-02
ADOPTED BY THE GUARDS.
Little Bessie Garrard Becomes the
Daughter of the Battalion.

Little Bessie Garr8rd Becomes Une
Daughter of the Battalion.
Little Bessie Garrard. daughter of Col.
and Mrs. William Garrard, was the recipi-
ent last night of q delightful serenade, a
magnificent gift and a christening as 1.-THE
Daughter of the Battalion" The Guards,
to the number of 100, marched from the
arsenal to the residence of DR.. w. s. Law
ton. on Lafayette square, by arrangement
The battalion formed in line on Abercorn
street fronting the residence, the right rest
ing on Macon street and the left on Harris
street. The Union Cornet Band rendered
the serenade Lullaby" from "Erminie;"
Rock Bye Baby" bye Bye Baby, Bye
Bye and ended with George, Dear,
Baby's Got Tooth"
The battalion then marched by twos into
the spacious parlors, where Col. and Mrs.
Garrard gave each member a warm clasp
Of the hand and hearty welcome. Hardly
had the Guards been welcomed when Lieut..
John NJ. Bryan disappeared and shortly
after reappe9red WITH little Bessie
not quite 5 months old, in his
arms, whom he introduced as "the
daughter of the battalion" She was rap
turouslv cheered, and seemed to enjoy 1t,
and during the speech making and cheers
which followed she chung close to the lieu
tenant, alternately laughing or curiously
examining the gay uniforms of the soldiery.
When quiet mad been restored Gazaway
Hartrdge, Esq, stepped forward with a
handsome cup, the gift Of the battalion,
and said:
Colonel, the members of your corps wish to
bestow upon your daug liter a loving gift If in
the mysterious and oft-times disappointing
movements of all-wise providence your
daughter had had the misfortune TO be born a
son, we would have taken no further interest In
her beyond the mere fact of her nativity. Ger
tainly would not, we have done, select
cup as our atfectonate testimonial. We would
not encourage those inherited instincts which
might beset and betray the infant in his ma or-
ity. But we feel safe in presenting this drink
ing vessel to your daughter. We are assured
that it will never contain anything more in
furious than cold, cammy ice water. and, per
haps, nothing less beneficial than five drops of
paregoric, or six tablespOonfuls Of ipecac ad-
ministered every half hour during that period
of life when impositons are endured in unre-
sisting helplessness.
Colonel we trust your fair daughter will
treasure this gift as precious memorial of the
attachment which all her fathers command
felt for herself and her parents. We hope she
will not hoard it as a suggestion of her father s
unfortunate habits. II ever she is deprived of
a parents affection, let her survey the corps
and pick her choice. Certainly her option will
range unconfned What manner Of man is not
to be found in our ranksy From bristly Cyclops
to downy dudes, what specimen is there missing
from the cabinet? No man can tell you
of the love we bear you and yours. If, in the
course of eternal years, you should pass away,
we solernnly pledge ourselves never to forget
those whom you would have us to remember.
The arms of this corps are upon this richly
chased vessel, but about the objects of your
dearest concern the arms of every Guard will
be stretched in time of emergency, waving
WIDE like the Cherubs flaming sword, to bar
access of every approaching evil and strained
to their utmost tension to uplift ten iery and
CHI c nj firmly hal knr
have most reason to surround with the comfort
ing assurances and wasting anxieties of an
everlasting love and affection.
Miss Bessie fastened her little fingers in
the handle of the cup and carried
it to her lips. but was most too
young to speak for herself, and
and Col Garrard taking the gift in his
hand responded for her, for her mother and
for himself. 1t was the second time, he sald
that the battalion had shown its kindness
for himself and family. When returning a
little over a year ago with Mrs.. Garrard
from a tour of travel, it welcomed them
home; now it had seen fit to show its affec-
ton for his little daughter. He accepted
the christening-she should be the daughter
of the battalion-and among the first en-
dearing names she will be taught to lisp, the
colonel said, will be that of the battalion.
In conclusion, the colonel on behalf of
himself, his wife and daughter, welcomed
the battalion and invited the members to
partake of their hospitality. The popping
of champagne followed the experimenting, |
and to the music of the band the hospital |
ties were enjoyed amid general congratula-
tions and well wishes for the hosts.
The cup is worthy to be called a mag
nificent gift" 1t is solid silver, gold lined,
elegantly frosted and chased with the coat
of arms Of the battalion on the cup which is
shaped to resemble n snare drum. The
handle is an infantry bugle. The cords and
tassel of the bugle, and the drum cords
are of solid gold. On the bottom
of the cup is the inscription, bessie Gar
rard, from Savannah Volunteer Guards,
June 10, 1885," the date of her birth The
design is by Lieut.. Bryan aud Sergt Bur-
dell, and the cup was made by the Gorham
Manufacturing Company of New York
The serenade and reception Of course were
by Col. and Mrs. Garrard, but
the presentation was genuine surprise.
There was quite a number of the lady
friends Of the family and the battalion pres
emit, and the occasion was an enjoyable one.