The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-07
THE FIRST ACTIVE sERVICE.
Tho Blues Assist in Keeping the slaves
in Check.

Tho Blues Assist in Keeping the siaNos
in Check.
The first active service rendered 70
the State was in the year 1890. on Au-
gust SOth of that year information was
received by the Governor Of the STATE
that an extensive instruction OF the
slaves was contemplated and that II
was TO take place during the hisht lol-
lowing that day. This information nav
ing been derived from two slaves VINO
could be relied on, and the plan Oh oper5
lions having been somewhat developed
the Executive took 1minediate s'epS "
encounter the danger
The Nineteenth and Thirty-third regl-
ments of militia being those IN kich-
mond and its immediate vicinity, were
ordered TO hold themselves in readiness.
The companies attached 10 the Nine
teenth regiment of which the Blues con-
stituted a part, Immediately paraded'
and i'm one hour after the order was
issued. reported themselves ready Tor
service. The plan of the insurrection had
been well devised, and had 1t been eX-
ecuted. would have resulted In much
bloodshed. The slaves had elected
general and other officers. and they
contemplated assembling about five miles
west of the city, and in the dead OF nigat
firing several wooden buildings in the
lower part of the town. When the ci1-
zens should have assembled at the IRE,
the slaves intended TO make an eHorI
TO take possession of the pubic arms
and to murder every male citizen IN MS
defenseless condition, as he returned from
the fire. or as he could be caught at his
private home. On that evening, however
there fell the heaviest rain That mad ever
been known in Virginia, and IN tew
hours the smallest streams were swollen
to such an extent as TO be wholly I'M
passable.
The providential interference worked on
the superstitious fears Of the slaves,
and brought about an abandonment or
their designs for that night, and hndinS
afterwards from the preparations made
IN the city that their schemes had been
detected, and their general and other
ring-leaders in the conspiracy having
been captured and executed, the slaves
saw their whole plan frustrated, ana
tranquility was once more restored 10 the
State The troops were in service from
August 3Oth to October 18th, and were
then discharged.
Praised by the Governor.
Governor Monroe. in his message 10
the succeeding Legislature. in December
uses the following complimentary IAN
guage to those who had been mustered
into service: 81 cannot too much COM
mend the conduct Of the militia on this
occasion They were obedient 10 orders,
exact i'm their discipline and prompt III
the execution of every duty that was
eoioined on them. Their improvement
Vas rand and far exceeding anything
I had ever witnessed. Nor can II pc
doubted had a crisis occurred, they would
hove nroved as firm and decisive in
oction as they were patient and perse-
vering in the discharge Of every duty
on June odd 1907 the memorable at
tack by the British ship-oI-War
Leonard" Captain Humphrey command
ing, was made upon the Onitea states
frirate Chesapeake, commanded by Com
modore Barron. The information Of her
capture reached Richmond on Saturday
evening. June 27tn. on the following
Monday the Blues were called together
at the Bell Tavern, and the following
resolutions were adopted
"The company Of r. l.. I. Blues have
heard with sentiments OF adherence
and Indignation the account OF the tate
base and cowardly attack made by the
British ship-of-war Leopard, or % guns,
on the L. S. frigate Chesapeake OF 30
guns. while in a state Of profound peace
This outrage. unparalleled in the history
of nations. can be viewed IN no other
light than a declaration OF war, ana
although as citizens the members or
this company are highly sensible or me
blessings Of peace as soldiers they are
ever ready TO avenge an insult offered
TO their country by any nation Whatever
therefore be II
RESOLVED. That as citizens and soldiers,
the members Of this company pledge their
In nnFf Of
such measures as the Government OF their
country may in its wisdom adopt for the
purpose Of obtaining satisfaction
Resolved, That these proceedings be
signed by the captain and secretary OF
the company. and a copy thereof be trans
mitted 10 the President Of the United
States. and that they be inserted I'm the
newspapers Of the city Of Richmond
Thomas Jefferson's Letter.
The following letter was subsequently
received by Captain Richardson for the
company from Thomas jefferson, president
! OF the United States:
1.-THE offer of your services In the sup
/ port OF the rights of your country merits
and meets the highest praise. and when
| ever the moment arrives, i'm which these
/ rights must appeal to the public for sup
| port, the spirit from which your offer
| flows, that which animates our nation, will
/ be their sufficient safeguard.
ITO the Legislature will be rendered a
( faithful account Of the events. which
I have so justly excited the sensibilities
/ Of our country, OF the measures taken
10 obtain reparation, and OF their result,
and to their wisdom will belong the course
1 10 be ultimately pursued. In the mean
time Il is our duty 20 pursue that pre-
scribed by the existing laws: toward
which. should your services be requisite,
this offer Of them will be remembered.
II tender you for your country, the
thanks you so justly deserve"
The volunteers, composed OF the
/ cavalry, commanded by Captain Ben
/ jamin Sheppard, the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues. commanded by Captain w.
Richardson, and the Republican
/ Blues. commanded by Captain Ran
dolph. left Richmond on July s. 1907.
| They had but one day 10 make their
preparations They performed their march
Of 40 miles on foot in less than five days.