Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-19
TOSSED In BLANKETS.
The ANNUAL REUNION OF THE HOW
TIERS AT YOuNG'S POND.
The awkward Squad" Gives Some OF
the Guests Good shaking-How
the Day was Spent.

the Guests Good shaking-How
the Day was Spent.
II one had chanced'to visit Young's pond
about noon yesterday strange spectacle
would have met his gaze-a spectacle rare
aud exciting. Upon a gently sloping
hillock, covered with O carpet of natures
velvet green, group of soldier boys were
clustered around q red blanket, which
each one was holding. Suddenly in the
midst OF yells of delight figure was shot
through the air with the speed Of a meteor,
and ere IN its falling course il struck the
blanket with full force again 10 was hurled
back. Thrice did the human being dart
heavenward. and then it was poured upon
Mother Earth like shot out of shovel
The unfortunate individual thus sent
noiens o0lens. toward the celestial abode was
none other than our esteemed fellow-cltl-
zen Mr.. Ashton Starke, and those who tor
tured him were the famous awkward
squad " of the HowltZers. who We're hold
ing their annual reunion at the old-tlme
picnic-grounds and amusing themselves by
tossing in the blanket.
OFF FOR PICNIC.
Now. every one knows that the popular
Richmond artillerymen are nought II not
enjoying themselves. and realizing this iull
we'll themselves they never let single mo-
ment for having o good time escape them
from the minute they left the aTmory un-
I'll they returned to tine city.
The military party. accompanied by
scores of ladies and the veteran organlza-
ton, left Richmond about $3.50 O'Clock A..
NJ, and when they moved through tho
city IN seven largo wagons, which were
pulled by four mules each, they attracted
widespread attention. A the caravan If
50 il NAV be designated, was ,huHylnc
down Marshall street just in front of q
livery stable n figure rotund as u cherry
and as jolly-lookng as Puck himself APP
peared and furiously waved a carriage
robe. 1t was Mr.. George C'Baby y
Mountcastle, who accompanied the Howit-
GERS on their trip TO New Orleans. Every
body greeted tho corpulent ex-COnfede-
rate whose cherubic features were one large
smile.
When Young's pond wns reached the
cannoLeers and their guests alighted from
the wagons, and all paused for q moment
to admire the beautiful scene presented
The day was sublime. and the sun. piercing
through the budding trees, threw its
golden beams upon the green earth or was
reelected III many arpple upon the smooth
face of the pond.
BEGUN WITH LUNCH.
But nature must always yield TO appc-
tite. Ii was not long before a table was
set and light refreshments served. Ruby
coored punch and lemonade we're handed
around and mingled tremendously with
the cheese and sausage. After the lunch
two base ball mines were selected. and the
national game was INDUCED in by several
of the Howitzets aud their guests. This
sport lasted about an hour, Messrs. Polk
Miller aud Ashton Starke being two of the
most agile PLAYERS. There was the usual
amount Of kicking against the umpire's
decisions and the ordinary number OF flu
gers were likewise spIslned, after which
the contest ended.
Then Ominous whisperiugs were heard
and soon General" Walker Wilson. COM
mandant of the awkward squad" aud
his trusted lleutenants appeared with the
dreaded blanket. and each man felt that
MS time had come. Mr. Ashton Starke.
whose peIegunationS through the atuIus-
pheIe have been described above. was one
of the first victims, and then Gene.
raj Charles j. Anderson WA tossed
Mr.. Polk Miller, too, was hurled up
wards. and then the First regiment captains
we're captured Captain Angle was told
that the police jurisdiction only extended
one mile beyond the CITY limits, aud that
he would have to succumb 10 the inevl-
table. lie threatened to avenge himself
upon the boys when he got back to Rich
moud, and together with the representative
Of the DISPATCH formed protective ASSOC
citation, the latter agreeing TO report the
Police Court in detail whenever the merry
artillerymen became involved before that
tribunal
HURLED THROUGH THE kIB
Neither was spared, however. and thus.
man 10y man. nearly every guest was inl-
tiated. The tossing process was renewed
at intervals throughout the day, but few
being spared and the blanket was so well
used up that a new one will have 10 be
procured.
About o'clock dinner was served, and
ali excellent one it was. The delightful
viands were spread upon large tables aud
every one INDUCED in the feast with I'M
wOnted vigor as the fresh air and unusual
exercise had whetted their al petites. The
meal was all that could be desired.
Dancing and foot ball were also INDUCED
in, and by means of the latter which was
as much enjoyed by big red dog as by
the boys the Tranquility of military shins
was severely tested. 1t did not take the
cannOneers long 10 kick all the wind
out" of the ball, but this did not stop
them.
SWORD PRESENTATION.
A trumpet sounded at 5 o'clock. This
was n signal for every one 10 assemble III
the dancing pavilion. Here Mayor Ellyson
introduced MIR. Carlton Mccarthy, who
presented the sword won by Captain
Hutchinson ai the Blues Bazaar TO the
popular commander of the battery. The
Captain responded IN feeling and graceful
l., Ia 10 g "a
gift. and assuring the boys that he always
had their welfare and honor at heart.
Mayor Ellyson then said that he noticed
an old HowItZer among the assembly and
would take the privilege of calling upon
him for a few remarks. He referred to
Rev. William NJ. Dame, now Of Baltimore,
who Immediately responded, and made a
very happy little speech.
About this time DR.. Herbert r. Scott,
the groom" of the recent trip to the
Crescent City, was espied with his wife
and called for, but he did not respond,
doubtless being more than happy with his
wife.
SONG AND DANCE.
Private Finegan was asked to sing song
and rendered "McGinty" as only true
Irishman can.
After these pleasant incidents ice-cream
was served and then more dancing fol
lowed. just as twilight commenced 9
chorus of ladies and gentlemen seated
themselves under some of the trees and
rendered several old plantation songs.
The singing was led by MIR. T.. ID. HOtch-
kiss and Mr.. Polk Miller and was very
sweet.
The Howitzers started for the city about
ESQ o'clock and enjoyed themselves as
much on the homeward journey as they
did at the picnic. Some OF the boys must
have swallowed cubic foot OF dust, as
they yelled continually. When the party
neared Richmond they had some very ex-
citing races between the teams. and the
colOred drivers were seen at the gates OF
the city" not with one suspender, but with
enormous grins upon their faces.
soNE OF THE QUESTS.
Among the prominent gentlemen pres
ent at the reunion were: Hon. D. Taylor
Ellyson, Rev. William NJ. Dame. of Baltl-
more; Messrs. Ashton Starke, James L.
Gray. Robert S. Bosher, b. NJ. Quarles,
Thomas Mason, editor Western Tobacco
Journal, Cincinnati; John Mckenner'
Frank III. Mcclure, ID. o. Davis, ;. W.
Trayers, W. L. Dibrell, Edward Gray, ID.
S. Mccarthy, James Grigg Carlton Nc
Carthy. II. W. Powers, K. G. Morton, w.
Deane Courtney, Joseph w. Carter, Cap
tain James NJ. Angle, General Charles j.
Anderson, Captains w. Fred. Peasants,
W II Mostly g. GRAY BOssieuX lleuten-