Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-07
AID OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES.


The regiment has. since its organization
November 25, 1917 done considerable
service in the aid of the civil authorities.
The most notable occasions were in assist
ing in preventing the escape OF the con-
victs, numbering about 1000, confined in
the State penitentiary, which is located
within the corporate limits of the city ind
about one mile from the Armory.
The first occasion was the earthquake OF
August 81, 1886. On that occasion the
regiment assembled at it's Armory on call
from police-head1uarters. The call was
given at 10 p. Nj. and the first company
was reported to the superintendent of the
penitentiary within thirty minutes there
after and the remainder of the regiment
within one hour. The earthquake re-
ferred to was tho one which was so fatal
70 the city of Charleston, s. O. The regi-
ment was again called to the penitentiary
In January, 1897, on the occasion of a fire
which destroyed largo portion of tho
shops connected with this institution.
The call was made at 5 A. NJ. The first
company reported with thirty-six men and
two officers within thirty-fve minutes
after the call and the entire regiment
within an hour and quarter thereafter.
The regiment attended the Centennial
celebration Of July, 1876, at Philadelphia,
and was represented by q battalion at the
Centennial celebration at New York April
80. 1889. Companies A and y were de-
tailed by Che Governor as a part of Viz
einia's escort of honor at the funeral OF
General u. s. Grant. These incidents OF
service are mentioned to show both the
efficiency and esteem in which the State
authorities hold our organization. There
have been many other occasions in which
portions of the regiment have been called
upon TO perform service during the
twenty years of its existence.
Nearly all the colonies of tho First have
been veterans and have served with dis
tinction in the Confederate States army
The first colonel, John A. Sloan, was Q
captain; the second colonel, Bradley t.
johnson, brigadier general the third
colonel, John b. Purcell, first sergeant
(when only fifteen) the fourth colonel
Charles j. Anderson, q Virginia Military
Institute cadet, and the present colonel, an
official of the Forage Bureau in the Con.
federato army. Colonel Anderson is now
brigadier general of the First brigade Vir'
GINA volunteer infantry.
HENRY @. JONES.
TIE COLONEL AND HIS COMMAND.
The present colonel, Henry G. Jones
whose frank and manly letter to the Ga
tette OF NAV, 1890, is well remembered, anc
whose portrait we present, served the Con
federate States for three years under Major
Darlington. chief of the Forage Bureau
He enlisted in Company B after the war
became corporal and sergeant, and in 1877
irst lieutenant He was elected captain in
1878 and colonel in 1889. He is the young
est colonel in the Virginia service, being
only forty-one years old.
The present strength of the regiment is
395 officers and men. This number may
seem small TO us, but in the South where
the company rather than the regiment il
the unit IL is large organization. The
reglmental percentage of attendance las
year was $50 per cent. and % this includes
attendance once a week he year round 1t Il
remarkably high. The First Virginia i;
more devoted TO steady work rather thar
fancy drilling than any other southern or
ganization and is business-hke, soldierly
and a credit TO Virginia. 1t will this veal
encamp with the North Carolina troops al
Wrightsville near Wilmington.
The First Virginia is the only regiment
which has rendered marked courtesy C
the Seventh, whose hospitality the Seventh
has had no opportunity of returning. Let
us hope the time will come when we car
show the First that the courtesy of 1885
and the invitation of 1880 are not forgot
ten. G. s. @.