The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-10-02
The Manning Guards Inspection.

The Manning Guards Inspection.
The Manning Guards turned out,
thirty-seven strong, last Thursday at
ternoon, under the command of Capt.
A. Levi. The court house square had
been nicely mown of, the day was
lovely, goodly number of fair and
beautiful ladies were present with
their bright and approving eyes, end
everything seemed propitious. The
company was formed in line, and
awaited the coming of the inspecting
officer. General Bonham. dressed in
his beautiful uniform, came on the
ground. The guns and other accou-
trements and the general appearance
of the company were closely in
spected, and then the company was
put through little drill in arms and
marching. But somehow things
seemed to be rather mechanical: there
was not the lively interest manifested
as is usual on such occasions.
After the inspection General Bon
ham made a short speech to the COM
pany, in which be expressed his pleas
ure at meeting the company again,
but his displeasure at seeing their
poor condition. He said their guns
were in bad condition, their uniforms
poorly kept, and it was very patent
that they had not been drilling. When
two years ago he first inspected this
company, it was fine one, ranking
among the best in the State, but it
had now fallen far below its own
and no experienced eye was
necessary to see that thoughtlessness,
laziness, and disregard of duty had
been characteristic OF the company
the past year. While he felt it his
duty thus to speak plainly to them,
yet he did so in all kindness and with
the hope that at the inspection next
year they would again be as well
drilled and present as fine appearance
as they did on their first inspection.
He warned them that they must i'm
prove, or else it would be his duty to
disband them and recall their arms
And, said he, it will be no holiday for
a year, and then to reorganize, but it
will be permanent disbandment.
There are now On file in his Of
fee thirty applications to organ.
ize other volunteer companies, but
the full number of volunteer compa-
MES allowed by law are already or
ganized, and the only chance for a
new company is for some old compa'
ny to be disbanded.
His speech was a severe rasping,
but it is conceded that all he said was
true.
After Gen. Bonham had finished,
Capt. Levi stepped in front OF his
company and said it was indeed NOR
tifying to him to see their poor con-
dition, and that he was ready to take
unto himself share of the blame,
but not all. Seldom could a sufficient
of men be gotten together to
have drill. He had himself been
away large part of the past sum-
mer, and the company had not been
doing anything like their duty. But
now he hoped the events of this occa,
sion would arouse them, and that the
men, every one Of them, would regu-
larly attend the drills. he hoped the
men would resolve to bring the com.
pany back to its former high standard.
The company was then marched
around little, and then, by order o1
the Adjutant General, it was dismissed
for the day.
The entire community, especially
the ladies, feels hurt at the conduct o1
the Guards. They have in every way
lent them all the assistance they have
asked for. They have fine guns, good
uniforms, and the company consists oi
many of the best and most athletic
young men Of the town and country
They have efficient, kind, and noble
officers. Everything is favorable fol
keeping up the company, and yet all
these advantages are wilfully neglect.
ed. We hope the men will change
tactics; that they will get their ambi.
ton reused, and that the company
will at once rise to a rank, which their
name calls for. It would be a stain
on the fair name Of the old "ldannine
Guard" were the members of the
Manning Guards to suffer their com
pany to be disbanded. But we do moi
believe that the company is made o.
such sickly, wishy-washy stuff. They
will arouse themselves, and acquit
themselves in manner worthy the
name of their company.
A new armory has been obtained
and is to be fitted up with all neces-
sary conveniences. The Guards will
then meet monthly, and if each mem.
Der will devote only one evening 8
month to this duty, they will be well
drilled. The community expects
much of this company. Let them
not be disappointed.
Inspection of Caralry at Pamela.