The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-13
THE CHICKASAW GUARDS.
A COMPANY WHOSE HISTORY Is EVER
INTERESTING READING.
A New Biographer Enters the Field and
Records His Wide Range of Informal
ton in Clear. Lucid and Captivating
Style.

ton in Clear, Lucid and Captivating
Style.
The biography Of the Chickasaw Guards
has been written many times and oft. 1t
is theme that affords discourse which
never becomes monotonous to not alone
Memphians, but Tennessee and many
other States. Mr.. Charles p. Bradley con-
tributes the following well written sketch
to the May number Of tho Guardmdn, of
Chicago, under the head, "Crack compa-
MES" in which category he places the
Chicks No. l:
CRACK COMPANIES.
OF all the companies who have attracted
attention by their proficiency in drill and
general department at interstate encamp-
ments none have attained the distinction
and received hehonors equal TO the Chick
asaw Guards, Of Memphis, Tenn.
Why are they 20 proficient? and what is
the reason that they should be considered
the very best Of all crack companies2
shall endeavor so far as able to answer and
give my judgment and observations Of the
company.
To begin with the Chickasaws from
their inception, enlisted only the best pos
sible class OF young men, OF equal social
standing and character. Many OF them
had an earlier military education In such
schools as the Virginia Military institute,
the Kentucky Military institute, and the
University OF Tennessee, ut Knoxville.
They are young, active, educated, well up
in points OF the tactics, and especially the
later revisions. To many people the
Chickasaws have made the impression
that they were unconquerable, the men
all seemed TO have such confidence In
themselves, their step looked bettor, and
their general carriage impressed one, that
there Is that mysterious something that
makes others fear and dread them, and
when other companies have defeated
them, by accident or otherwise, their Joy
was all the greater, for being scored higher
than such company. The "Chicks"
were thoroughly imbued with the one
idea, when they were first organized, TO
be the very best drilled company In the
United States. How far they have been
successful in that endeavor can be judged
by the following record Of the company
from its organization:
The Chickasaw Guards were organized
on the 30th Of June, 1874. It's first officers
were Capt. X. p. Duncan; First. Lieut.. w.
p. Martin, Second Lieut.. Jas. X. Wright,
Third Lieut. p. A. Ralston. The third
lieutenant Is usually the instructor OF the
individual soldier and squad. The south
rons think he Is OF sufficient Importance to
have the rank Of lieutenant
The first great event that the "Chicks"
took part in was at Nashville, Tenn. in
May, 1875, where they were defeated by
the Porter Rifles OF that city. In October
OF the same year the Portes were de-
feated at Memphis by the Chicks" Both
companies were entered against each other
mt Huntsville, Ala, in May, 1876, but ow-
ing 10 misunderstanding as 10 whether
the bayonet exercises would be second or
not, the drill did not take place. There
was nothing OF particular interest In the
drilling line for the next year or two,
though the company was giving exhibit
tons and were laying the foundation for
the great name they now bear.
Early In May, 1888, Capt. Duncan de-
clining reelection, the company chose
unanimously, the man who yet commands
them, the man whose methods are often
studied and often followed by young and
ambitious officers OF other companies.
Capt. s. i. Carneshas very many admirers
who consider him the bes captain in
America. Under him the "Chicks" de-
feated the Bluff City Greys, OF Memphis,
on May %, 1878. In September, 1878, the
"Chicks" went 10 st. Louis; this drill was
the beginning Of these great events, and
the first, | believe, where drills were
judged by program. Among the COM
panies attending were tho Porter Rifles,
Company G, First Infantry, Chicago;
Company X, st. Louis; indianapolis Light
Infantry, and Lackey Zouaves, Of Chicago.
The latter company made great hit there.
The company drilled with one lieutenant
which OF course counted against them, the
score OF the two leaders was out OF n pos
sible 3. .20i for Company q, and .293 for
the Chicks" There was no doubt where
they would have stood had they their
lieutenant In the drill. Every one who at
tended that encampment will say that the
impression made by them was very great.
After leaving St Louis the company went
TO Chicago, indianapolis, Cincinnati,
Columbus and Louisville. Exhibition
drills were given in each OF these places,
and the press OF these cities devoted coli
umns, giving accounts Of receptions and
exhibitions Of the company.
Al Chattanooga, Tenn, ON the 4th OF
July, 10, they met the Gate City Guards,
Of Atlanta, and the Bluff City Greys. com.
ing out iirst in this contest. Many OF the
bows think the company was at is greatest
ut the next event, which took place at ST.
Louis the last Of September, 1879. The
company had been In camp at GAINESVILLE,
Tenn, for about six weeks. They could
not get back 10 Memphis. for the yellow
fever was then raging rs II did the year
previous, when they were preparing for
81. Louis. There were eight or ten good
companies there, bun the Chicks" won
easily over all. On the 10th Of October
they again won nj Columbus, o., defeating
the Governors Guards, Of that city. On
their way home they had oyaiions rendered
them at Louisville, Nashville and Clarks-
vile, where they stopped two weeks, the
gucsia OF Mr.. j. j. Crusman, one OF the
best men in that town. Tho only event
Of special interest, until the following May,
was the presentation by John Mccullough,
who was great friend and admirer OF the
company, Of an elegant silk flag on the
evening OF March 3, 1850. Nashville was
the next point where they won, defeating
the Porter Rifles, Rock City Guards and
Co. X OF ST. Louis; Unsecured on the 10Th
OF May, 1880. II was considered n great
victory, a. their competitors were Of the
very best. Their reception on arriving
home after this affair was simply grand.
New Orleans, May 10, 1887, was the next
great event Chickasaw Guards first,
Crcsccn. City Rifles second, League Guards
third, Houston Light Guards iourth, Van