The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-20
GALLANT FIRST REGIMENT.
The Brilliant Celebration Of Their YWen-
hGth Anniversary.
BANQUET and T0ASTS AT THE ARMORY.
An Escort to Hill and n March Through the
City--A Visit to tho Reception at tho
Executive Mansion.

The First Virginia regiment celebrated in
glorious manner last evening It's twentieth
Anniversary. and for two hours officers anc
men gathered about the festive board and en-
joyed themselves. Att O'Clock proceeding
began. and from that hour until the military
left to act az escort for Governor Hill. the
armory presented an animated scene Every
one made every effort to hove their uniform
look as bright as possible. and the result was
indeed gratifying alike to military men and
civilians.
About the company rooms men could bs
seen busily engaged in brushing up their
buttons" end IN the corridor officers passed
and repassed in their excellent endeavOrs 20
execute some order from higher authority
e WAS about < o'clock when the regiment,
clad 10 fatigue uniform, left the armory. A
detachment under the command Of Captain
Frank w. Cunningham fanked the line on
either side and lighted the path for the
marchers. They proceeded immediately to
/ Eighth and Broad streets where they escorted
Governor Hill and party to the Academy after
| which the regiment was marched up Frank
lin street to tirst, to Broad. to Seventh, and
thence to the armory.
AT THE ARMoRY.
Arriving at the latter place it was only q few
| moments later when they were marched up
stairs, and there a pretty sight awaited them.
| -Four tables the entire length OF the hall
awaited the 400 men and groaned under the
| weight OF many appetiZlng vlands. In a per
fectly military manner esch man took his
/ place, and the battle OF knives and forks
began. II was n valiant attack. made with
| every movement known in and out Of military
that Is right and proper, AMI the men spent
| Al enjoyable time discussing the viands. Mr..
! W. II. zimmerman Officiated rs chef do
! cuisine, and he spared no effort to make the
! feast an excellent one. His endeayOrs were
| rewarded with success for the affair was IN
/ oil respects a model one.
After Hayanas had been lighted and pulled
| Captain @. Gray Bossieux called the men 20
! order and toasts wero then responded 10.
THY TROOPS.
Mayor J. Taylor Ellyson responded to the
/ toast The CITY Of Richmond" He said II
have had tho pleasure of looking into the faces
Of over 1000 Of my fellow citizens but
| have come here g. testify the interest feel
IN our volunteer sOldery. for as an official
and private citizen have always done all |
could for the volunteer military Of this city.
IN the last few days we have heard great deal
OF platform building, and think II would be
good thing it some ono would make q plat
form for more liberal appropriations to the
military at the next General Assembly
The man who makes q good soldier will
make a good citizen. for in each he learns the
laws and Obeys them. ] am glad 10 be
with you tonight. and trust that when you
attain your full majority at your next ami
versary It will be the grandest occasion in
your history"
CITIZEN soLDIERY.
The Citizen Soldierv." Hon. Joseph C.
Dickerson. lie said. There is nothing that
affords me more pleasure than to address you
tonight. Let me return my thanks 10 you
for your kind invitation. / know the value Of
a soldier 20 his country; | know what IL is 10
discharge the duties. and who can estimate
the value OF citizen soldiery in time OF peace,
l cannot.
There IS a fact here tonight that pleases
me. that citizen soldery can gather about q
festive board and have good time without
drop OfspiritOus liquor II we needed your
protection We would feel perfectly safe. when
we knew that you were an armed body of 80
Der men. The city Of Richmond is proud
of the First Virginia regiment as proud of /
the cavalry and artillery. She has been as
liberal with hor appropriations rs the de- I
mands would justify. but am satisfied that /
IL a short time the city will be better able 10 /
give you more liberal appropriations.
There can be no grander sight than this
from the boy to the gray-haired man There /
IS no better school than military discipline. |
As His Honor has said. learn TO obey orders |
and you will be good citizens and soldiers"
VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS.
Virginia Volunteers" Captain Frank Lassi-
ter. of the Petersburg Grays He said
In time OF war oil Nirginlans are volunteers,
and feel whom such toast is offered 10 me /
it is expected that l should reply in honor
of all of the grand old men of
the state. Looking back | think the first
regiment Of volunteers were those patri-
otto men who followed Patrick Henry to take
possession Of the royal stores | remember
in tho next war that my own little city of Pc
tersburg sent 10 the front a company that
marche hundreds Of miles through primeval
forests and stood in battles line with such
steadfastness that inithe Generals report il
was noted - the COckade Company Of the
Army Of America.
THE volunteers Of Virginia never had 90
glorious time as when, in 1861, the citizens
rushed As one man 20 protect their homes
and hOnOrs / wish II were in my power TO
call the Legislature 10 compare what other
States are doing for their volunteer military
States that have record that compares with
ours like the Pickering Of a candle 10 the
glorious beams of the sun. We see New York
with $4,000 military. OHIO with 10000. the
State of Virginia with only about 900 Those
States have learned a lesson we have taught
them. But our old mother Virginia il 40
stated with the honor and glory Of the past
that she does not do for her citizen soldiery
II want 10 refer 10 those beautiful DAVIS in
for | want to renew those ties
and | wish 10 thank you for the honor Won
have conferred on me in responding 10 this
oast. ! extend 10 oil Of you an invitation 10
zone 10 tho Cockade City whenever it shall
20 your pleasure"
THE COUNTRY.
Colonel G.. Percy Halves responded 10 tho
cast. The Calvary" and made An ENJOYABLE
nd interesting speech. lie told in a general
way of the service done by the cavalry in the
ate war. and his talk was interspersed with
delightful humor.
MAJOR W i. Simons briefly responded tothe
cast, The Artillery" 10 was an excellent
hort and soundly applauded. ]
ENTHUSIASM.
Each speech made was punctuatad bv
ounds OF enthusiastic applause and each ,
leaker made some happy reference 10 the
military When Captain asster was called
pom 1t was fully minute before he ,
vas allowed 10 speak. The complete f.,
yaton he received was deafenip0.
ound after round of applause followed as he
r 80 from his seat. No officer who acconpa- :
led the regiment 10 WriChtsyille became
lore popular than he. and in his remarks lie
lade happy illusions 10 that memorable q,
amp. u
Among those present at the banquet "a in
tied guests were the following. Colonel 10
ane stern, Colonel g. OBJ. Cowardin Major
!. r.. Evans MAJOR Corbin Warwick Captain
dgefton =. Rogers. Major Meriwether !
ones, Colonel G.. Percy Halves. Major w. o
hgfB