The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-26
THE OLD H0WITZERS.
MOTHER CHAPTER IN THEIR
EARLY HISTORY.
rx.nt, which Occurred Soon After Their
Return From the Capture Of John
Brown-Sundry Changes.

one on tho east side OF Marshall street
near the Second market-house. From this
Mace they removed TO Tenth street be-
tween Main n Cary. where they were
Joined 10y Company f, Captain X. Milton
cary. and the Grays. Captain W. NJ.
Elliott. This was early in February. 1861.
they had at last received from Washing
ton the iong-expected naval battery in
october, 1860. This was composed Of five
brass Dahlgren howitzers and one three
inch brass rihed gun. Up to this time
they had been using only four guns. bur
she ranks OF the company having become
full. they added TWO more. making
six in all. The first drill OF the company
IN full uniform and with their battery
took place in October. 1860. at the Fair
Grounds. on Franklin street, now Monroe
Park. They had previously paraded the
streets. the men hauling the iron car
Tiages by drag-ropes in double file. IL was
a novel sight. Artillery with guns not
drawn by horses had never before an
pcared In the streets of Richmond. and
reminded the spectators very much Of n
new variety OF fire company. With all
this there was something strongly sug-
gestive in the brilliant finish and mill
90 "a - aAAAlAAAhAOuo a
riors. About this time sundry changes
took place in the military organizations.
The Howitzers were now incorporated
with the First regiment as Company III.
Colonel Thomas Il. August was promoted
60 the rank Of b~rigadier Of militia, and
Captain =. 7. Moore. of the Montgomery
Guard, was made colonel OF the regiment.
During the year 1890 the political events
which ultimately eliminated in the war
lnF mr.ag fAA aa.tfA,a 1870 ra.tII., ~,
Ing about that terrible crisis. The people
were already wrought up to the highest
state Of excitement. II here and there a
few were 10 be found who could not be-
licve that actual hostilities between the
North and the South were about 10 deluge
the land in blood. the more sagaclOus and
Thoughtful could not longer doubt The fact.
From the time the episode Of 1859 at Har-
per's Ferry had occurred, they had been
observing the course Of events. and re-
cognized that as but the prelude to he
great drama about TO be enacted.
Il Is only necessary to add that all
doubt upon the subject vanished when
the people Of the North saw fit to nomi-
nate a candidate upon purely sectional
issues and then elect him TO the Presi-
dency. The elevation OF Mr.. Lincoln to
that high Office and the subsequent adop-
ton OF his unwise and fabulous policy
OfclIDgcI the last nope Tor peace.
In the meantime the State of Virginia
had not been blind 10 the drift of events.
Her Legislature. seeing that nothing
could be done TO ward off the blow, took
measures at once looking TO her own and
the defense OF her sister States Of the
south. During the session Of 1890 a
State Military Board was created and
clothed with power to equip the State
with munitions of war. General f. H..
Smith Qf tho VIRGINIA NfDffory IDCtff,tfa.
General Philip st. George Cooke and Cap
tain George w. Randolph composed this
board. The latter, with characteristic
zeal. devoted his entire time to this i'm
portant duty. He was, therefore, neces-
sarily much Withdrawn from attention
to the interests OF the HowitzerS. In Au-
gust, 1860, the Military Board adjourned
TO the White Sulphur Springs, and First
Lieutenant John G.. Shields was left in
command OF the company. The RESPONSE
bility Of preparing for the emergencies OF
the service was upon him. Events were
fast hurrying TO n crisis. Since the first
parade OF the company with the naval
battery. his mind had undergone a change
as to the p~racticability Of using those
guns as field artillery If war should take
place. Consequently, he conceived the
idea that they might be taken off the
navy carriages and remOunted on light,
but strong. field carriages. He bad be-
come convinced OF the value Of the pieces
as efficient weapons OF wal, and was
unwilling 10 abandon them altogether.
More thar this. the State was almost
without artillery companies. and still
fewer available guns. Entertaining this
opinion, Lieutenant Shields communicated
with Captain Randolph, then at the White
Sulphur Springs with the Military Board.
The latter saw at once the wisdom or the
proposed change, and authorized Lieu
tenant Shields to take measures accord
fngly. He at once had interviews with
Governor Letcher and Captain Charles
Dimmock, who also approved his sugges-
ton. The construction OF the Held car
riages was ordered, and Captain Dim
mock. with his usual promptness and en-
ergy, had them made at the state armory.
In a short time the company were In
possession OF their new outfit. and were
delighted 10 find a trim, clean, shining
battery. not Handicapped with too much
metal. but in every respect fit for seil-
Gus duty. The carriages were light ana
strong. painted red, and could be easily
moved by two horses only. Beautiful IN
their new dress and equipment, they
Seemed themselves conscious or their I'M
proved condition. II to the eye OF a Vete-
ran artillerist they seemed 10 want the
u.eirbt and strength necessary to the
rough usages Of war, there was some
thing in their shining muzzles and SELF
reian, nose that at once inspired the be-
holder with perfect confidence In their
~canacitv fer scientific killing. How TINS
confidence was not misplaced VIII be seen
hereafter. ..ors
About tho LIST Of April the Howltzers
were ordsred into barracks on the "s0
eoor ~ the Spotswooa Hotel, then IN
COURSE Of cor struction at the corner OF
Main snd Eighth streets, now the race
building. The company had 60 good d
reputation that men were fast hochins
10 its standard. The battery now haVlhs
Fix pieces required more officers. Inc eleo-
ton that had taken place at Charleston
was re-enacted The same commissloheu
officers we're retained. Sergeant Otey'
having been adjutant Of the. First resi-
ment Of infantry. T. Y Mayo was ap.
ro,nfed as his successor az first sergeant
and afterwards as third lieutenant.
The first parade with the new gun
carriages was held on the "a OF req
ruary. 1861. Captain Randolph had ose'
elected member Of the Virginia cohNVh-
tion I'm January. 1861. and was now 700
much absorbed in the duties or tnat pooy
T. pay more than ordinary attention 10
the comnany. II is ~well-known now ne
became one OF the foremost men OF the
convention. took an active part III y"
debates. and. although not a man Oh eN.
treme views. was ever the fearless anu
uncompromising advocate or the risn'o
OF the State. He was one OF those VINO
bad 4, hean nossible would have given a