The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-04-05

The American Rifles, Company A. of
the National Guard OF Delaware, had
a gala time last evening In their ar
mory in the Masonic Temple. 1t was
regular drill night and the company,
under the command OF its new cap
tain. William II. Hanna, went through
with the manual Of arms and the usual
military evolutions with marvellous
promptness. Interested spectators
and guests OF the company were Col.
Samuel NJ. Wood of Chester, affections
ately styled the father of Company
A, and indeed of the N. g. D.; Major
Edmund Mitchell, Jr., formerly cap
tain of Company A., and Lieutenant.
Colonel Howard Simpson, inspector
of rifle practice.
After tho drill the following promo
lions were made:
Corporal Richard NJ. Taylor to be
sergeant, vice Fox, promotes; Private
George o. Bailey, to be corporal, vice
| Taylor promoted Private Richard No
Coy to DO corporal. vice Short, dis
charged.
Alter this the companyretired to tho
parlors OF the armory, where a sump-
tuous lunch was spread. Col. Wood
4 occupied the head OF the table, Major
Mitchell and Lieutenant Colonel Simp-
son his right and Captain Hanna his
loft.
After ediblos and cigars. Captain
! Hanna raped to order and introduced
Colonel Wood, who had the honor of
being life member Of tho company.
Colonel Wood said that company A
was tho mother of the National Guard
OF Delaware, organized In 1875; thore
were now but four members In 1t
who were active members in 1915:
Captain Hanna, Lieutenant Floyd,
Sergeant Clayton aud Major Mitchell.
Colonel Wood then turned 70 Major
Mitchell, and receiving from Captain
Hanna sword said:
And now it Is my happy ~ vi 'ge,
Captain Mitchell, as IA eviuuuve of
the appreciation of tho American Rifles
for your services for the company and
the State. to present this testimonial
of their esteem. | voice tho sentiment
OF the company when | say that II the
country be invaded by foreign foe, or
endangered by domestic insurrec-
ton that you will lie the first In the
fight, and L am sure that In your
hands the sword will never DO sheath
ed In dishonor."
Great applause followed this speech.
and Major Mitchell was almost dumb
; founded with surprise Deeply af-
feeted by this token OF his company's
esteem, lie could not lind words with
| "AhNh w ShEhNoS AAAhSSAia Az ASht8 ~
he said:
IF this company is the mother Of
tho N. q. d. then Colonel Wood III tho
father. He has cared for this company
and has cared for me tonight and you
have cared for me- Some time posi-
bly, | may he able to say what | would
like to say. hope you may never be
sorry for presenting this sword to me.
!, May 1t always be drawn III n good
cause and never sheathed In dlshOnor."
The sword ami ACCOMPLISHMENTS are Of
; the regulation standard. The guard
Is gold mounted, and the scabbard
nickel plated. On the steel blade OF
the sword arc the words: Presented
by Company A to Major Edmund
Mitchell, Jr." The belt is OF gold
, cloth.
! Other addresses ware made by Lieu.
: 7 tenant. Colonel Simpson, Captain Han.
j, la and others. Major Mitchell then
: presented Sergeant Taylor and Cor
porals Mccoy and Daily with theii
commissions In highly complimentary
language.