Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-19
CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
me LetiN SerYice Of the Virginia
Volunteer Militia.
CLAIMS TO SUPPORT.
History of the Reorganization Of the
Force-Its Record In Sustaining the
Civil Authorities.


It Is a common thing to hear the State
volunteer militia spoken OF as play SOL
d,ere.. and there is no doubt OF the fact
that a great many employers object to
their employees joining military compa-
MES. Both the sneering term and the
objection are mistakes. and II men would
pause to consider the service that has
been rendered to law and order by our
citizen soldiery during the last twenty
years the sheer would not be INDUCED in
and the objection would not be enter
tanned:
There never was a time in the history
of Virginia when the school OF the volun-
teer mIlitiaman was more OF school OF
obedience, good habits, and system, or
when the word play had less relevancy
as applied to the volunteer The member
of the military company who lives up 10
his obligations as such. even In seasons
of perfect quiet. has very little opportu-
nifty for play. and when he Is called out
for active duty obeying the call always
involves great personal sacrifice.
The young men who have enlisted in
volunteer service OF the Old Dominion
should be respected equally with and ac-
corded the same support given those they
are depended upon TO aid In enforcing
the law in seasons OF unusual trouble.
THE people Of Virginia are essentially
law-abiding. and under ordinary circum-
stances the police and the constabulary
are all that are needed to preserve the
peace and maintain the dignity of the
Common wealth But there are times
when certain elements become so wrought
I'M that the civil authorities need the REIN
forcement of the military in order TO in
sure the protection Of life and property,
and vindicate the majesty OF law, and In
these emergencies the military are
wanted quick"
In view OF the unpleasant crlticsin OF
and the prejudice against the military
above referred TO the Dispatch TINS MORN
ing gives some little history or the or
canization and status of the present sys-
TEN. and n statement OF the number OK
the occasions active service has been de-
manded from II.
THE REORGANIZATION.
In the spring Of 1871, under the admin
istration OF Governor Walker, the reor-
ganization OF the volunteer militia OF the
State WAS effected. The acknowledgements
Yenort for 1872 shows that the State then
owned $40 Springfield rife-muskets. and
100 artillery sabres, In the hands OF the
volunteer forces. which then consisted
of seven companies OF infantry. forming
the First Regiment; one company of ar
tillery-the Norfolk Light Artillery
Blues-and one company OF colored in
fantry, not armed. In 1873 this force as
shown by the report, had been Increased
by one company Of artillery-tne Rich
mond Howitzers-and six companies OF
infantry; making a total then in the SER
vice OF 1854 men. In 1876 the force had
been further increased, until the service
contained sixteen white infantry COM
panies, three artillery companies, one
cavalry troop, and nine colored
infantry companies. In 1881 the force
consisted OF three regiments OF Infantry
seven unattached white infantry compa-
MES, a battalion of artillery, consisting
of five batteries, three troops OF cavalry
two battaliops of colored infantry, COM
posed of nine companies, and eight colored
infantry companies unattached. Tho colo
nels OF the three regiments were John IS.
Purcell Of the First; w. j.. Bungardner,
of the Second, and c. c. Wertenbaker, or
the Inlru. MAYOR Henry =. Id lSl wa i''
command OF the artillery.
At the last inspection the volunteer force
Of the State consisted of one brigade OF
Infantry -four regiments), total, as
shown, OF 1923 officers and enlisted raen;
8 separate white companies, battaIons
of colored infantry, l regiment OF cavalry,
and 1 battalion Of artillery; making a
grand total of 1926 officers and enlisted
men in the service.
ONE OF THE FIRST CALLS.
One of the first duties performed by
the volunteer militia Of this city-the First
Regiment-was on the occasion OF
Grants reelection to the presidency
when, for four days, the officers and
men carried their arms and equipments
to their places of business with them.
In February, 1852. the Govenor-then
Hon. William +. Concentrating been
officially advised of the continued whole
sale and fragrant violation OF the laws fol
the protection of its oyster properties by
parties strong and audacious enough to
resist the civil authorities. ordered Major
II. c. Carter to proceed with such troops
as might be placed at his disposal by
the Acknowledgement, to the waters OF
the Chesapeake and its tributaries, and
render such assistance as might be re-
quired to the Sheriff Of Mathews county.
Major Carter at once proceeded 10 Nor
folk, and, issuing orders to that effect
had assembled at their armory at 9.3.
o'clock on the night OF February 18th the
Norfolk Lght-Artillery Blues. Captain
James W. Gilmer; and the Norfolk City
Guard. Captain c. a. Nash. At ll:3f
o'clock the troops. together with three
Victoria j. Peed and the freight steamer
Louisa. This expedition succeeded so wei
that all seven OF the pirate vessels tina.
were depredating were captured, witt
their cargoes of oysters and crews, num-
boring in the aggregate sixty-one men
The captives were turned over 10 tbs
civil officers, and on the 18th, at 5:3t
T. NJ, the troops We're landed at Nor
folk and marched TO their armories.
February q, 1883. a similar expedition
was undertaken by the same troops under
| command of Major Carter This resulted
in the capture Of six pirate schooners
on both OF these expeditions Governor
Cameron accompanied the troops.
THE DANVILLE RIOT.
The next important duty the militia
was called on TO perform was the sup
preston of what il now known as the
Danville riot On November 8. 1883. the
Richmond LIght-Infantry Blues. Captain
Andrew Pizzni. and section OF the
Howitzers, with one piece of artillery
were ordered to report to Major II. c.
Carter, and at IL o'clock that night. pro-
perry armed and equipped for service
they complied. The troops were embarked
on the Richmond and Danville train. and
left at once for Danville.
Major Carter was furnished with q
letter OF instructions from Governor
Cameron explaining to him that the
mission upon which the troops were sent
was not one Of partisan or political SER
vice, but that they were sent TO be used
solely under the direction OF the civil
authorities for the preservation of law
and order, and the protection OF life
and property.
The troops arrived at Danvil!e at
o'clock on the morning of November 9Th,
and were Joined by the Danville GrayS
0hen on duty. Captain Oliver. Major
Carter, having in the mean time consulted
with City-Sergeant Wood, and having
satisfied himself. from observation, thai
there was no reason to apprehend fur
Their outbreak. relieved Captain divers
command from further duty, and ordered
the Richmond soldiers into the barracks
lately occupied BY the Grays, holding the
latter, however. In readiness for any cal
that might be made by the civil authori-
ties. The Blues and Howitzers remained
on the alert until 10 o'clock on the morn
ing OF the 18th, when, all disorder having