Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-08
THE BLUES ANNIVERSARY.
Letter from tho Conmandant of
the Visiting Compauy.
The following was received yesterday by
Captain Sol. Iuichins.


The following was received yesterday by
Captain Sol. Culchins:
ARTILLERY CORPS WASHINGTON GRAYs,
60. u, lsr REGIMENT INFANTRY, N. q. r..
PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 1883. }
My Dear Captain, Yours OF the 4th in
slant at hand. The time Of our visit to the
City OF Hills is indeed near.
We shall leave on a special tram on We'd
nesday next, 9Th instant, at 7:20 A. NJ. fol-
lowing the regular train. and expect to ar
rive IN Richmond at about 2:5S 7. NJ, but
VIII telegraph you on our departure from
Washington.
have concluded 10 enter your city in full
dress uniform with knapsacks.
Your programme is all that mortal could
wish for, and certainly more than we had
reason TO expect. One feature meets with my
hearty apDroya-no speeches.
We will probably have about fifty-fye
muskets and three officers, also Lieutenant-
Colonel huntington, Major Good, and Adiu-
tant Conrad, Of our reeimental staff; Colo
! mel W. w. Allen, commanding Veterans
Corps (who, by the wav, will be installed
this month grand commander Of knights
TempaTs OF Pennsylyania); Lieutenant
Colonel Field. also OF the Veteran Corps
about fifteen OF our old members 10 citizens
dress, some OF whom visited your city with
the corps in 1884, which, with our band,
will make nearly one hundred strong.
We will not have any indies with us.
VIII you want us TO come into the depot
or stop at Elba statonS
We would like to have dinner at the hotel
at $3.50 p. NJ, if your arrangements VIII per-
nit IL.
Anticipating with great pleasure our
meeting, remain yours sincerely,
A. l.. WILLIAMS.
As 10 where the debarkatiOn will take
pace-wbether at Elba or Byrd-Street sta
tion-wilI be arranged in due time. The
Grays will have a welcome at the Executive
Mansion by Governor Lee; will then go to
dinner; will spend the rest OF the afternoon
in sightseeing, and at night be bauqueted.
Next day they will be taken by boat to War
wick Park (nearly opposite Drewry's Bluff,
on James river They will spend the day
there and on the battle-delds near by, and at
Dutch Gap, and In fishing, shooting, and in
other sports. and TO return 10 Richmond at
night and leave for Washington next morn
ing.
The Philadelphia Record says: The Grays
will assemble at the armory on Wednesday
morning at G:45 IN full dress uniform, regi-
mental collar, white walst.belt, with State
cartrldge-boX and scabbard, knapsack, with
blanket rolled, and wearing new and spe-
cal helmetc1p. They leave by the Penn
syvania railroad, from the BrOad-Street sta
ton. Captain A. l.. Williams will be in
command. The Washington Grays' band, OF
twenty-five pieces, and the cOmpany's drum
corps win furnish the marching music.
In 1882 the Grays were designated TO act
as q guard Of honor, aud took with them 10
Mt. Vernon the sarcOphagus TO which the
remains OF George Washington were con-
signed, and were present at the ceremony.
This marble coffin was constructed by the
father Of William Struthers, Of this city.
On the return the company stopped at
Washington aud visited President jackson
at the white House. He was 50 much
pleased with the bearing OF the
Philadelphia soldiers that he tender
ed Sergeant Fox, one OF their num-
her, a first lieutenancy in the regular army.
Fox declined the honor, when il was Offer.
ed TO Sergeant George A. Bake, who ac-
ceptcd II. lie remnined IN the national SER
vice during the remainder OF bis lie. lie
died about three years ago, holding the rank
OF brevet brigadier.gene and was buried,
at his own request, expressed before he died,
by the company from which be entered the
United STATES service. The sergeants OF the
company are now eXctedly awaiting to see
which of them will be complimented by
President Cleveland in the manner that Ser
geanis Fox and Blake were by" Old HEX
OrV,v