San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-09-23
The RECORD BEATERS.
A HISTORY OF THE BELKNAP
RIFLES.
They Have Taken Numerous Prizes
During Their Career and are Now
Laboring Diligently to Beat the
Record''-A Chicago Trip Proposed.

a movement is now on 1901 TO
send the Belknap Rifles to Chicago,
by the ladies, who desire to recipro-
cate the many dances and social
events the company has rendered
them.
In June 1884 the company was
organized and the history though
brief is eventful and affords a
splendid illustration Of what may
be accomplished by perseverance,
self reliance and determination to
succeed. They did not receive
their arms until six months after
June. which makes their present
showing still more creditable. y
few weeks later found them on the
comparative field at Lampasas,
where they took second prize.
This only urged them to greater
efforts and their next victory was
scored at the NOlksfest celebra-
ton in San Antonio in OctO-
Der of 1888, where they took
the first prize. it being $500,
defeating a number Of COM
panies which have since made
records for themselves. Their next
victory was at Galveston in Au-
gust of 1886, when they defeated
numerous companies, taking the
second prize of 500. At the Ma
tlonal encampment at Washing
ton in May, 1887, the company cap
tured $500. At this encampment
the Belknaps became famous, nu-
merous banquets being rendered
them at the nations Capitol as
we'll as upon their return home.
MAY LIST 1888 found the BelknapS
at the Austin interstate encamI-
ment where they captured the $1,000
prize and the individual medal
awarded to Mr.. John kissing.
April 9th 1856 with membership
of A. men,at six hours notice, under
the command of II. l.. Howard, IS
answered and We're called into ser
vice by the governor for the pur-
pose of quelling a Mexican pOliti-
cal riot at Laredo. In
April 1879 the company
put up an exhibition drill at Key
West. In lNS9 they also sent a
team to represent Texas at the
great centennial procession at
New York. The New York press
stated that in the eight hours
march the Fleece White Boys"
under the command of Capt. r. b.
Green, from San Antonio, received
busts of applause along the entire
line of march, with barely time to
select a team three weeks later
they entered the national contest at
Galveston under the command of
Captain Green, First Lieutenant
Hal Howard, Second Lieutenant
Ed Richardson. At this encamp-
ment the Belknaps beat the
Worlds recOrd, and the score made
has never to this day been beaten
on competitive field. They cap
tured the first prize Of $1,000 and
Americas championship cup, and
their first sergeant, w. p. ROte
received the first sergeant's medal
making a perfect score.
In 1891 the company attended
the Indianapolis interstate drill
carrying off $1,000. On a week pre-
viOus to the Omaha national en-
campment, without sufficient drill
. ing, the company departed in June,
1892. This was their hardest
tonight battle, every State in the
Union being represented. The Bel
knaps were awarded fourth place.
At this encampment their Young
captain, II. b. Green, received the
highest hOnOrs ever paid a militia
captain.
Last week, at the request of Mrs.
Tobin, of Chicago, the company's
flag and streameas showing the
number of victories achieved,
also a detachment of members un-
der the command of Lieutenant
Ed. Richardson, assisted in dedf-
eating the Texas building at the
Worlds fair.
At the time of the organization
of the Belknaps, with their true
and tried Captain, r. j. Green,
at their head, but few of their
members had any military expe-
rience. Their pluck and capabili-
ties attracted the notice of the
late Colonel Augustus Belknap
an eX-Ot1icer of the famous sew
enth regiment of New York, who
gave them his name and
later added more sub
stantial tokens Of his appreci-
alton. With this encouragement
the company rapidly rose to its