The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-05
GUARDS HAVE A GOOD TIME.
An Entertainment of 90. A the Occa-
sion of Sword Presentation.


sion of Sword Presentation.
The entertainment of Company A Of the
Guards at the armory on Bull street last
night was very pleasant occasion and one
that will long be remembered by the men,
bers Of the company, combining, as it did,
several very pleasant features.
After the regular drill in service uniform
preparatory for camp, Capt. williamson
the guns were slowed away and the COM
pany reformed without arms. Capt,
| Williamson then ordered 70 the
| front Sergt Henry Freeman and
| CorpL. George A. Mercer, Jr., the
two newly-made benedicts of the company 3,
to whom he briefly turned over the COM
| mand of the company for such purposes as
they had in view. Before they could assume
| the authority rendered them, however.
AdJt. Davis Freeman interposed, and ad-
| dressing Capt. Williamson, stated that he
had duty to perform. pleasant in the ex-
treme, and for which purpose 1t was his
| intention to assume command of the COM
| peny for the time without leave.
Adjt. Freeman was then handed beauti-
full sword by Janitor Seldom, which he
presented to Capt. Williamson with few
very appropriate remarks. Adjt Freeman
spoke of the fine record Of Company A and
its rapid rise in grade during the past year,
which be said was due to Capt. William
son and his unttring services to the COM
presented to Capt. williamson
by the members Of the company as a token
OF their appreciation Of his efforts in their
behalf and as an evidence of the respect, adj
mirRtion aud love in which he is held by
the members Of his command.
Adjt. Freeman's speech was greeted
with cheers and applause by the company
rnria
to Capt. Williamson, the matter being kept
so quiet by those in charge of it that few
outside of the members of the company
knew that the Presentation was to take
place. Capt. Williamson certainly did not.
Though taken by surprise, he made most
feeling response to the speech of Adjt.
Freeman. He said he would look upon the
occasion as the pleasanbest OF the many
pleasant occasions of his life with
the Guards. He took command Of the COM
pany about two aud one-haIf years ago he
said, much against his will. He had had a
great deal Of hard work and discourage
ment, but the Improvement had been 80 en-
couraging that he would continue to hold
the position 30 long as he was desired by
the company. In reference to the
coming encampment, Capt. Williamson
said he had already obtained thirty-five or
thirty-six men who would 60, and he was
anxious to attain the full quota of forty
men.
Capt. Williamson made humorous allu-
sion to the hosts OF the evening, Serst
Freeman and Corpl. Mercer, whom he said,
at last had become thoroughly respectable
He had not attained to such high respecta-
bility himself yet, and he attributed the
success Of the two junior officers to the fact
that they were such good shots, Corpl. Mer-
GER wearing the battalion prize and Sergt,
Freeman the company prize as the best
ahCfa Of fha hat kaIF md
lively. He himself had never won any
prizes at the target except a little tin gun.
He concluded by proposing three cheers for
the new benediots, Corpl. Mercer and Sergt.
Freeman.
Tree cheers were given with a will, and
"Three cheers for Capt. Williamson" were
then proposed by Lieut.. Huger, and the
boys nearly took off the roof, 80 hearty was
the response.
A table laden with sand witches and punch
had been arranged at Que end of the hall
Sergt. Freeman took command of the COM
pany and ordered the men to break ranks
and fall In at the tahle.
Corpl Mercer aud Sergt. Freeman were
then called upon for speeches and responded
| very modestly, expressing their apprecia-
ton Of the attentions shown them by the
| company.
Col. Garrard arrived while the collation.
| was in progress and was greeted wi h
| cheers. He responded to the calls for
speech and paid several very high compi-
ments to Capt Williamson. He said he
considered him one OF the first officers in
the state. Col. Ga;rard said he had it upon
| good authority that Company A stood third
| among all the companies of the state in the
recent inspection of the state troops.
Several other speeches were made and
songs were sung by officers and members of
| the company.
The sword presented to Capt. Williamson
by his company is probably the handsomest
| owned by any military officer in the city
1t was made by Ridaback & Co. of New
| York. and is very handsome piece of work
| The scabbard Is of pure silver, with gold
| mountings and very handsomely finished
aud engraved. The handle of the weapon
| Is a solid piece OF mother of pearl. On ons
side the scabbard is engraved: Presented
to Capt w. w. Williamson by Company
| A, Third Battalion Georgia Volunteers.
1927 The opposite side is engraved VITA
the following: ''l873-Capt. w. w. Will
hanson, Company A-lS92." On the han
die is the monogram, NV. W. w." and on
| the guard that Of IS. V. Gu
The weapon was admired by all who saw
| 1t. 1t was deservedly bestowed. The high
state OF efficacy to which Capt. William
son has brought Company A Of the Guards
is generally conceded by all acquainted
with the command and its commander.
| Both company and captain are an honor to
each other, themselves aud the service in
which they are engaged.
/