The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-11

was in the present emergency. John u.
Shields was at that time a comparatively
young man, who a few years before mad
come to Richmond TO assume an I'M
portant place with the Richmond Wing
NEWSPAPER He was born AMI reared in
Rockbridge county, Va, had removed TO
Lynchburg in early youth, where he was
for some time connected with the Vir-
einian prominent newspaper OF that
city. He too. 1t appears. had a taste Tor
artillery. While living in Lynchburg, al
though quite yOurg, he became captain OF
o. company of this arm OF the service,
ard succeeded in maintaining its efficiency
during his stay at that place. when ne
removed TO Richmond he left this organi-
cation a useful legacy 10 his military
successors; and 1t subsequently became
distinguished as one OF the most efficient
batteries of the war under the COM
mand Of the gifted and gallant II. Gray
Latham, now a leading practitioner or
medicine In that same city.
Randolph and Shields soon found them
selves entirely in accord upon subject
so interesting to both. While the former
was about TO make suggestions which
were novel to the latter, yet he was graf
flied TO find in his coadjutor an artillerist
of experience, an expert organizer, man
Of detail, and an officer OF uncommon
powers Of administration. This latter
gift was singularly exhibited In his sub
sequent career, during the progress OF the
war, when with the rank OF colonel, he
had charge Of the most important camp
of instruction in the Confederacy, and
from which he sent TO the field over
for active service. To this duty had been
added the multifarioUs demands OF the
seventy five batteries drilled and equipped
conscript service, through which the ranks
Of wasting regiments in the field were 10
be reple .ished; then the inspection and
disposal Of returned prisoners OF war,
who were received from Northern
prison camps, in masses Of CHASTITY. half
starved and diseased men, whose wants
were to be supplied; and lastly, the care
Of the sick and the wounded: and as the
fortunes of the Confederacy became more
and more desperate. this patient and in
defatigable officer was subject to cease
less appeals Of the widow and the orphan,
the weak, the disabled, and the crowds
OF cowardly maligners, who through their
hired attorneys were swarming about
his headquarters with their pes
tiferous demands. II was a well-merited
tribute to his faithful administration Of
these trusts that his commission as brig
adler general had just been ordered when
the catastrophe at Petersburg. In April,
1865, prevented its execution.
But. to return. While the two artillery
officers just mentioned were comforting
together. Captain Milton Cary, an
active and useful infantry off,
GER. was making efforts in be-
half OF the new company. He Induced
such of his friends to Join In the scheme
as ne thought would advance its interest.
Among these were the late Lieutenant
Colonel John Thompson Brown, who SUBJ
sequently fell at the battle of the Wilder
ness and James d. Elicit, clerk of the
circuit court. who also gave his life to
his countrys cause at the battle Of Fred
ericksburg. These two gentlemen became
extremely useful In perfecting the organi-
cation or the Howitzer company. 1t was
about the LIST OF November. 1859, that the
requisite number Of men were found ready
10 go into a more permanent organization
of the company. The first meeting for
this purpose was held In the clerks
Office OF the circuit court. which was
then In the State courthouse, at that
time situated In the southeast corner of
the Capitol Square. This building was
destroyed by fire at the fall OF Richmond,
In 1865. At this meeting. held on the 9th
OF November, 1859. the new artillery corps
was then and there christened the "Rich-
mond Howitzer Company" and George
Wythe Randolph was unanimously elected
captain. His speech accepting the honor
was worthy of the man. All who heard
II were more than ever impressed with.
the vigor of his understanding. and the
singleness OF purpose with which he had
now entered the military service. He