The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-23
CAPT. WHEATON DINED.
GALATIANS CELEBRATE TaEIR
COMMANDER 10th BIRTHDAY.n

Il
HonOred ps-RecoHections Of the
Past In War and Peace Recalled in
| Speech and sonR-A Characteristic
| Gathering Of the Gallant Artillery
men.
The Chatham Artillery celebrated the
/ SEVENTEEN birthday Of its honored oomman-
der. Capt. John F. Wheaton, at Armory hall
last night. The announcement Of tbs cele-
bration yesterday was q surprise to major
ity Of those whose presence was requested
and more OF a surprise to the veteran cap
tain himself, who was expecting nothing Of
the kind. It was only accidentally that the
members Of the company learned at
the close Of the parade Tues =
day In honor Of Gen. Lees
birthday that Capt. Wheaton would reach
three score and ten years on the coming
Friday. The fact Immediately impressed
itself upon CorpL Palmer, TO whom Capt.
Wheaton made the remark. and he was not
slow TO communicate it 30 the other men,
bers OF the company and TO suggest that an
appropriate celebration of their command
ers 10th birthday was In order. The idea
at once took and arrangements were begun
Immediately for an appropriate celebration
OF the event, and also the securing Of a
handsome token Of their esteem and affec-
ton.
FoRTY-THREE YEARS A CHATHAM.
Capt. Wheaton has commanded the Chat
ham Artillery for thirty years and has been
member Of the corps for forty-three years,
longer term Of continuous service than
any officer In the state. On this account the
celebration was regarded as especially ap-
propriate. The commanding officers OF the
various commands in the city and the staff
OF the regimental and battalion divisions, as
well as a number of other prominent citi-
zens, were invited to be present, and not
withstanding the short notice as many
responded as could possibly do so.
The honorary and pay members of the
corps and the invited guests gathered early
at the club rooms. The ladies of the st.
James Rectory Society had already pre-
pared handsome banquet in the main
hall.
At $50 o'clock the guests were requested
to repair to the banqueting ball and take
the places assigned TO them.
When this request was complied with the
company was marched into the hall under
command of Lieut.. r. r. Harmon, accom-
panied by the regimentsl band.
CAPT. WHEAToN's WELCOME.
When the members had taken their DO
sitions Capt. Wheaton was escorted in. He
was received with cheers and was escorted
to the head Of the table and the command
Of the members and guests was turned over
to him.
On his right at the head Of the table sat
Mayor McDonough, Judge Robert Falligant
and Judge VIM. D. Harden On his
s lS5s Mere Msi Col. W W. w.,a., ". , Cor,
a; a. MacDonell and Hon. Walter 9.
Charlton. Others present were Col. r. D.
Walker, Maj. 9. NJ. Ryals, Col. William
Rogers, Capt. j. W. McAlpin and Lieut..
Jahn I. Roman, commissary; Lieut. George
w. Owens, surgeon, and Lieut., Edward
Karow. paymaster of the First Georgia Reg
iment; Lieut.. Davis Freeman, paymaster of
the Volunteer Guards Battalion; Mai. G,
A. Whitehead. w. w. Starr, J. F. Thorn
son, W. b. Stillwell, f. E. Rebarer and
Others
Lieut.. J. R. Saussy stated the circum-
stances that led up to the occasion. He
welcomed Capt Wheaton as the company's
guest. The occasion, he said, was one
which would bring up recollections and re-
membranes Of the past history of the corps
and In the past history of its
commander, both touching and
pleasant Il was intended to present
Capt Wheaton with a token of esteem,
but the shortness of the time had prevented
them accomplishing this, aud this feature
would be reserved for another occasion.
THE VETERAN CAPTAINS SPEECH.
Capt. Wheaton responded to enthusiastic
calls. He said he appreciated the kind
words and the good will which they con-
veyed more than all else. The occasion, he
said, was compliment to him, the signif-
canoe and remembrance of which would
remain with him as long as he lived. 1t
was gratifying in his old age to SO
retain the confidence Of his cem-
ND hn InI, -
services and his aid 80 long as it is in his
power to give ii.
Hon. w. G. Charlton was called upon.
He said that in all the interesting occasions
that had come to the Chatham Artillery,
beginning with the time when it was the
host of George Washington, when La
fayette was its guest, when it stood by
Savannah in war and saved it in recon-
struction, and when it demon
strated its hospitality and nobility to
the whole country in its centennial, this
was the most honored occasion OF them all.
He referred TO Capt. Wheaton's long and
honorable record and described him as
typical Savannahian with New England
blood and Georgia heart. He proposed
the health OF Capt. Wheaton.
Capt. Wheaton replied, thanking the
company for the compliments which had
been paid to him. "This hail." said he "has
resounded many times with the eloquence
| and the plaudits of many q soldier That
this corps retains to-day its proud position
is cause for congratulation. Through hard
ship aud privations as well, it has been at
| no small cost that it recovered its property
after the war and regained its prosperity u
he concluded by proposing the health of
Col. r. D. Walker, the Oldest living mem-
Der Of the company.
THE GALATIANS OLDEST MEMBER
Col. Walker responded that he did not
feel able to make a speech, but some of his
grandsons present might speak for him.
Thereupon Capt Wheaton called upon
Judge A. H. MecDonell to respond. He
did SO, complimenting Capt. Wheaton upon
attaining his honorable age and the COM
pany upon retaining him as its commander.
Capt. Wheaton then called upon Mr..
Frank Reharer for song. He responded
with "Will You Remember Mew
| Mayor McDonough was called upon. He
said he could neither sing, dance, nor tell a
story. He recalled, however, the yellow
| fever siege of 1876 and the noble manner In
which Capt. Wheaton performed his duty
then.
Capt. Wheaton extended his compliments
to the Fifth Georgia cavalry aud the Geor-
gia Hussers and called upon Col. Gordon,
who was received with three cheers and q
tiger. He said it is rare thing for the
citizens OF Savannah to meet together 70
celebrate the anniversary of any living
man, and this Of itself was sufficient to make
the present memorable occasion. The
sword which Capt. Wheaton wore he said
xasa,a ata1 60 n hrr h.. TT