The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-11

They Have the One hundrei an" oss""~
Anniversary ut fslsndon Park

Anniversary NJ EiHh'~''
Tho Richmond Light Infantry Blues yes
teriav celebrated their one hundred ana
second anniversary in the old-ume' nom
ored and delightful manner wfich they
adonted many generations go. anu
vvhieh- except during the interim OF lhe
war. they have observed with every re-
curing birthday OF their orgahlld'ivn,
This celebration was more IMAM ever
tovous. because instead of the one COM
pany which has met in these reunions
YEAR after year with the Blues AssOCla-
ton. two full companies, forming the
Blues Battalion, participated IN t"0
"@ AZ 10 O'clock Major Sol Cutchins form
cd the battalion at the armOry, ana
marched through the Capitol Square ana
I'm front OF the Executive Mansion. where
they were reviewed by the Governor
Headed by the Blues Band, with me
Junior company of the battalion IN the
brand-new, beautiful uniforms OF the
Blues. the command never presented
handsomer appearance.
70 THE rARS.
After the review they started for Blan-
don Park, where the days festivities TOOK
place. Marching as far as Cherry streS,
they took the electric cars TO the picnic
grounds, reaching the park in compara-
lively fresh condition.
Having reached the grounds. all re-
straint was removed, and oinccrs' sutSV - :
and men addressed themselves 20 the iut
enjoyment OF the day. the Older members
TO quiet pleasures and the younger 20 at
sorts Of athletic games, quoils anu pa't,
ball being the favoIites- The switch
back was Kept running with Jolly GROVES,
and tho grass-covered grounds rang WI"
the merry shouts OF the men
Colonel John Bell Bigger, chairman oi
the committee. was everywhere, ana ndo
"A joyous word for every body TINS peini
nearly the uftieth time he has at'en"eu
The Blues anniversary.
Governor O'Ferrall. Secretary Of state
Lawless, Adjutant-General Anderson ana
other distinguished guests arrived IN lHt
middle of the day, and when az haa
reached the scene several hundred were
present
lust bfore the dinner hour a number
of the soldier boys pressed Colonel Big
ger into service AS leader, anu, hedDet
by the drum, marched IN double ME UP 10
where the Governor stotu, and gave MN
three hearty cheers The Governor sWli-
ingiy accepted the rather boisterous COM
plment. lie told them he had no speech
10 make. but gave them 10 understand
that he and everybody else was proud OF
them. Including Richmond. their wives,
their sWectnearts. ana, best or al, the
old Commonwealth of Virginia.
1Ha DtNSrR.
At 3 O'Clock dinner was served on COM
fOrtably arranged tables inside the paVil-
lion. and everybody was gwen an abuhd-
ancc of the excellent taie.
The repast closed with the passing or
the loving cup, a custom peculiar 10 THESE
anniversaries from time immemoiial .
A large glass bowl. tilted with old VIZ
ginia mint iulep, Ornamcnted with fruits
mixed IN with the crushed zee, ana pIis.-
ling 18th straWs. was passed arouhl, nlSl
To the oldest members and moro dlstn-
guished guests until all who chose TOOK
"A glp Of the liquid amber.
The afternoon was spent ike Inc morn
ing, I'm the full enjoyment OF inc green
grass and fresh breeZee, ana al b.3l cloch
the command returned 10 the city nav
ing added one Of the pleasantest or an
the anniversaries 20 the record OF thls
old and honored organization
Among those who spent the daN WIN
the Blues I'm the full enjoyment OF the
happy occasion were Alexander Cameron
John =. Branch. Major Sringteii9w, Df.
Robinson. Colonel j. y. Bidg0od. everett
Waddey, Hon. George ID. wise, '"plaln
william !. Epps. Robert Archer, John
III. Montague. Lieutenant Knight, l., >.
A.: s. :. T.. PGttesOn, Jackson Guy, cap
tain T.. Il. Thomson, Major T.. -. hotch-
kiss, colonel Thomas Z. Marshall. barton
Wise. Ehiley Davidson. MAJOR W. VI.
Evans. Major Frank 4. sutton, captain
Charles II. Epps, Judge J. II Ingram
Judge f. G. Minor. and many others.
Az HONoRED GUEST.
Major richardson. the president OF the
association. was the hOnorcd guest or the
occasion. this being the seventy -nrst ah-
niNersary of his connection Win 'te
Richmond Blues
A number Of letters were read by
Colonel John Bell Bigger expressing me
regrets of the writers az their enforced
absence
who has been with the cOmplny "A num-
Der of years, was prevented rom coming
on account Of sickness, and his absence
was deeply regretted. 100,
IOhu : Wise wrote: ON this your luZd
anniversary. God bless you and every
member Of your command. The INVITA-
ton 10 ho with YOU has just arrived, ana
coupled with the bright sunlight or re-
turning spring. fills me with thousand
tocolloctions when | had the honor 10
command yOu Lying behind that period
is one even more tender. for before most
of YOU were born the Blues were com
pany "A Of the 18th Regiment, com
manded by my brother, ana ~ my Id-
The Blues have no more beautiful eX-
ample in All their history than captain
.. Jennings Wise. who died at their head
and unfil the dav of my fathers death
he never saw them without tears IN ms
eyes.
with such memories and affections
binding me 10 the Richmond Light m
fantry Blues. every invitation comes Ike
the sweet voice Of a friend calling me
to most grateful communion. ana. De
lleve me- that nothing but duties when
cannot be laid aside prevents my presence
at your anniversary.
Among tho distinguished men who sent
letters 0f regret were.
General Fltz Lee. Attorney General
Scott. j. Sto9rnes Gushing. Lieutenant OF
the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com
pany. Of Boston Colonel James r;
Branch. Colonel W. q. Tanner, Colonel
Alexander W. Archer. Colonel John $.
Harwood J ". Lockwood Ir Major r..
- ID. Myers. Judge j. W. Rely. Judge
Wexford Rev, Dr. J. g. Hiden, Colonel
John B purcell contain p. a. shepherd,
Major Alexander W. Marshall Washing
ION Light Infantry Batielion. Charleston,
s g.: Lieutenant IT. r. Campbeil
Washington Gravs, PHILADELPHIA Captain
". &. NcDufiie. Fayetteville. \. c..
Charles W. Goddln. Major f.. Henry
HYDE. Jr.. Governors Foot Guard, hart
ford. Cam; Lieutenant G.. SIC. hirk'
charleston. :. g.. Colonel Charles L.
Bigger and many others.