The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-11
RICHMOND HOWITZERS.
BRIEF HISTORY or THEIR EARLY
ORGANIZATION.
The Appearance of the Seventh Regiment
of New York the Cause Of the Com
paDy-The Men who Formed it.

The recent erection of the Howitzer
Memorial suggests the propriety Of re-
calling some of the circumstances under
which that noted military corps was
originally organized. This will appear the
more appropriate when 1t Is known that
proposed hereafter. The lapse Of time in
connection with matters OF history gives
peculiar value to everything bearing upon
the subject which may be under consid
Grafton. 1t should. therefore. be our
duty. In such matters. TO recur TO first
principles, TO look 10 the causes. Judge OF
the motives and observe the particular
conditions which may have combined TO
bring about certain results. In so doing
we may be not only interested, but per-
haps more than surprised, when we come
10 trace the chain of events that have
ultimately eliminated In some unantici-
pated. but momentous finality.
1t was under just such a confederation
of circumstances that the Howitzer bat
talon had it's beginning and Its subse-
quent development. Ia what we are about
10 say here II is proper 10 state that we
have been greatly assisted by one who,
from the beginning. was closely asso-
ciated with the forfnauon OF the first
company, and TO whose accurate memory
we are especially Indebted. 1t is mis-
take to suppose that the Howitzer Com
pany was raised for special service in
the late war, and that the breaking out
of hostiiities suggested the idea OF this
particular class OF artillery. The causes
which led 20 Its formation began in
time OF profound peace. and when those
who first Joined its ranks had not the
slightest idea that In a comparatively
short time they would be engaged in
,aetivs service. Instead OF this 1t was upon
IAN occasion when the nation was looking
with pensive face and believed eyes upon
an event which was calculated TO move
sths sympathies Of the entire country and
bring the people more closely than ever
together
y One OF the ex-Presidents OF the United
States had died many years before in
another State. and his honored remains
were being borne back 10 his native land
under dropping coiors and mufiied drums.
The appearance OF the New York Seventh
Regiment OF National Guards on the soil
OF Virginia, when that splendid body OF
volunteer troops came as escort 10 the
remains Of President Monroe, In the sum
mer OF 1885, produced a profound impress
sion upon the people Of Richmond. ana
especially upon those who felt interest in
. her military organizations.
3 Previous TO this event the volunteer
hmpanies OF the town were all indepen-
lent organizations. uniformed according
b their several fancies. and acting under
eparate and distinct authorities. The
Consequence was, not only an entire abb
Sence OF unity and general esprit du
1orps," but an unworthy amount OF en-
}ious rivalry and self-assertion prevailed
Among some OF the companies. With the
Exception. perhaps. Of one time-honored
and favorite corps. the old Light Infantry
Blues. the ranks of these were generally
thin. and unless kept up by some ad-
vsntitions means their existence as eff
Client military organizations was generally
Of short duration.
But q change was now at hand When
the military men Of the city
game 10 observe the appearance Of
that splendid array. of citizen soIdiery
from q sister State. all uniformed alike.
moving company BY company. = unit Of