Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1894-07-09
THE JEFFERSON GUARDS. THE PINE BLUFF SOLDIERS RETURNED
 HOME YESTERDAY.
They were on Duty Three Days and Two Nights and Every Member of ihe Company Conducted Himself
 BrayeIy.

The Jefferson Guards returned home from Little Rock yesterday where they had been in attendance upon the Interstate drill and in the service of the State in quelling the disturbances at Argenta.
 There have been q number of scan dalous reports circulated upon cer- tain members of the company in this city in regard to the supposed eowardly actions of said members whom the company was called into actual service at Argenta. all Of which prove to he base fabrications and stamp the authors of them as eowardly and infamous liars. The GRAPHIC reporter called on Capt. Harry Hudson this morning to as certain the truth or falsity of the current rumars which have been ily- ing around on the streets for the past few days, When asked in regard to the report that certain members had made q cowardlv ef- fort to leave for home when the com Ipany was called out ny the Goger= nor. Capt Hudson said:
 1.-The Jefferson Guards were the third company to volunteer to go over to Argenta when the Governor called out the State troops, and were the first company to line up in front of headquarters for duty. Not i member of the company weakened, but every member did his duty braFely and eourageously Me were on duty three days and nights, and were on duty as long and often until We were discharged by Governor as any other company. The Sheriff Of Pulaski county reported that the services of the entire State militia were not needed, and all companies except the cavalry and company A were discharged. Every member of the company conducted himself brayely and honorably and like a true soldier
 Continuing Capt Hudson said Outside people sympathized with the difficulties attending our com pany in our drill for the maiden prize. Phe other companies and the people of Little Rock knew how the Jefferson Guards were hampered bv circumstances over which we had no control and our home people are the only people Hhe have passed any criticisms upon our course. I had to gi three new commands in which the company had never been prac- tieed, but which, after explanation. were fairly well executed. Every commanding officer Ut the Driil said the company did right in enter- ing the contest for the maiden prize 1t was our first experience, and here after the company will be better pre- pared for such contests"
 Mr. B, F. Harrison, who served as Acting First Sergeant, and who was also third in the contest for the best drilled soldier i'll the State, snbstan- tiates Capt. Hndson's statements in regard to the brave conduct of the soldiers while on duty in Argenta The above ought to he sufficient to acquit any member of the company from the charge ofenwardlyco 1 Whoever was the author of such a base rnnor stands convicted in the eyes of the world as base and cow l ardly liar, There were also other [ falsehoods circulated upon the com pany which are base and eNecrahle. f The Jefferson Gnafds instead of cen- sure, deserve words uf praise anal en- 'ouragement. and our citizens should he more liberal toward our hom. D ys. Many of them are inexperi- 'nccd in soldier life. hut we venture tue prediction that Pine Bluff will nave ample occasion, fo he proud of hcm
 Spaak kindly ef he hoys and give hem every encouragement possible: 'iae Flnff may yet see the time when he will need tiir services of her sol Her baAs