Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-21
PARADE AND SUPPER
WITH THESE THE REGIMENT CElE-
BRATES ITS ANNIVERSARY.
Tho Companies Present Splendid Ap-
pearance-Spceches by tho Governor
Mayor. and Several Others.

With highly credtable street parade
and splendid supper, at which there
were a number of good speeches made,
tie First regiment Virginia volunteers
yesterday celebrated the nineteenth an
niversary Of its reorganization after the
civil war.
The date really fell on Sunday, but
Monday was considered a better day to
be observed, and hence the festivities OF
last evening.
Promptly at 4 O'Clock in the afternoon
the various companies, equipped IN their
heavy accoutrements and neat blue Ia
tigue uniforms, commenced forming IN
line on Marshall street between Seventh
and Eighth. A considerable crowd OF
spectators gathered around on the side
walks, watching the companies with IN
terest as they filed out from the Armory
in perfect time, and every one was en-
thusiastic in their praise.
GETTING READY TO MARCH.
Before the parade started Marshall
street, where the procession was being
formed, presented very busy and IN
spring scene. Officers we're galloping
back and forth upon fiery chargers and
privates were falling into ranks, equipped
us If ready to enter long campaign.
A few minutes after 4 the regiment
marched triumphantly off 10 :" the fife e
shrll note and the drums loud beat,
moving in perfect unison and presenting
a very handsome appearance. At their
head rode Colonel Henry G. Jones and
his staff, and each officer by his military
bearing certainly looked to be a soldier
IN every sense of the word.
Along their entire line OF march large
crowds had assembled, aud many ladies
added to the regiments throng OF adj
mirers. The regiment was preceded by
the Regimental band and drum corps.
Returning to the Armory little be-
fore 6. the companies fastened to dIvest
themselves OF their heavier trappings IN
order to better enable them TO encounter
the thereafter, a glimpse of which had
been caught as they passed upstairs.
AN INVITING SIGHT.
The tables in the lower hall we're sci
in very artistic manner. Over three
| hundred seats had been arranged and be-
fore these stretched several large tables,
all spotless with their snow-white linen
and decorated profusely with flowers,
amonQ which clustered autumn fruits OF
every kind.
Having stacked arms and removed
their baggage on the upper floor of the
Armory the soldier boys amused them
selves in the brief interval before
the feast by indulging III that inyigo'
rating game called "leap-frog, which
is well calculated to stir the appetite
even for more humble feast than thai
which awaited them.
CoME TO SUPPER.
Finally, everything had been gotten
in readiness, and the delightful an
nouncement that the banquet was ready
was hailed with Joy.
The officers, headed by Governor Nc
Kinney and Adjutant-General james
Mcdonald, Rev. DR.. NJ. ID. Hoge, and
Major W. Miles Cary. Colonel. '. Bid
good, and Mayor Ellyson, then pro
ceeded down the steps into the banquet
room. Before opening the banquet
however, the officers and invited guests
halted in one of the company's room'
for few minutes, where they were indi
yiduallv introduced to Governor Mckin
ney. After this every one took his place
at the tables. and the divine blessing
having been asked by DR.. Hoge, the
chaplain of the regiment, the banque
| commenced.
| SPLENDID MENU.
OYSTERS ain every shape and form
were served, and after these came deli
cious salads, pickles, and other viands
and later on delightful fruits, and lastl.
cigars. 1t is pleasant sight to see owe
300 hearty boys and men partakng OF
meal at once. especially when 1t is goo'
one. and the dining-ha at the Armory
bedecked with the regimental colors
certainly presented a pretty sight las
night.
WELCOMED BY THE COLONEL.
When the feast was over and the hap
pv crowd OF soldiers were beginning t
feel at their best, Colonel Jones aros
and made a short address OF welcome
referring TO the recent progress and sue
cess OF the regiment He stated that tn
first sentiment to be responded to wa
"The Volunteer Soldiery-The Guar
dians of America Liberty" by Governo
Mckinney.
| SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR.
His Excellency then arose and re
ceiyed the hearty applause of the soldier
bows. He expressed his gratitude fo
the compliment conferred upon him, an
referred with seeming pleasure to tn
splendid appearance the regiment ha
presented upon the streets. lie re
sponded, he said, with all bis heart
the toast of the Colonel.
Speaking of volunteer troops he e1
pressed his belief that they always mad
the bravest men, as they fought for thei
HIGHER interests. A man fighting for hi
liberty is always more powerful than
hireling fighting for fame. This hs
been found TO be the case IN all the cor
tests of our country, and especially l
the great contest from which we hay
lust emerged. On every field where
man had been fighting for his liberty b
had been more than q match for thos
fighting for fame. Everybody love
the citizen-soldier. continued the speal
er, "from their lowest in rank to the
highest. Men and women love you, an
YOU ought to be brave and loyal. Som
dav when ar occasion presents itse
probably the men now sitting here WI
rise to be the peers of Lee. jackson, an
Stuart" Applause
At the conclusion OF the Governor
, speech the band struck up that merr
air Dixie" which, no matter how o
repeated, never fails to thrill the soutl
a | ern soul.
q THE ALwAYs-READY BOYS.
s The next toast was the Virginia Vo
t unteer-For Duty or Pleasure, Alwa,
> Ready" This was responded 10 l
Q General Charles j. Anderson. who said
I Comrades Of this regiment, am nj
5 prepared to respond except to pay
tribute to the magnificent appearan'
you presented on the street TINS ev
1;,o do not ,,aan IN Halter YOU. hi