Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-05
THE PHALANX VISIT.
This Historic Military Organization 10
Spend Next Friday Here
HISTORY OF THE BATTALION.
Takcs It's Name from Putnam. VIII"
WINS Conspicuous for His Gallant
service--some of the Prominent
M~mbers-The Officers.

The Putnam Phalanx. Of Connecticut,
the second Oldest military organization IN
this country. Will spend next Friday In
Richmond. and will be entertained by
the military officers Of the city. The
Phalanx is upon It's annual tour, In the
course OF which 1t viii visit Luray. Chat
tgnooga. Atlanta. Richmond, and Wash
layton. The delegation en- tour is S75
strong, and will parade through the
streets OF the city. the Richmond Blues
acting as escort.
General Israel Putnam from whom the
Putnam Phalanx derives It's name was
a farmer in the eastern part Of Connec-
ticut, having moved there from Massa-
chusetts In his early days. Early IN
life he distinguished himself among his
neiRhbors by the daring act OF pursuing
n dangerous she-wolf into her den, where
he succeeded in conauerirg ber-a story
familiar TO every American scnooipo!'
At the time of the French war he again
distinguished himself for his bravery was
captured by the Indians. but released py
A French officer. His love for the military
and his desire TO protect his family and
neighbors fron. the assaults OF the In
dlans led him to the early conception OF
q neighborhood military organization.
This primitive organization for the COM
mon neighborhood defence was at the
time STYLED the Putnam Phalanx the
exact date OF the organization or the de-
tails OF the same are entirely unknown
History has been devoted 10 General Put
nam individually. and sheds no light on
this organization.
Putnam's zeal was so great for the de-
fence of his country that upon hear
ing of the need OF assistance at Bunker
Hin. he dropped the reins on the backs
Of his horses. left them and his plow in
the field. where he was at work, and
Immediately started for Bunker Hill. The
date of this first organization is sup
posed TO be about 1865.
THE PRESENT BATTALION.
The organization or the reorganization
OF the present battalion dates from
August 3, 1853, and was perfected at
Hartford al that time. It's perfection was
hurried and completed for the immediate
purpose of welcoming home Colonel
Thomas II. Seymour a distinguished fei-
low-townsman. known as "the Hero OF
Chepultepec." in the war with Mexico.
and who had represented the United
States as Minister TO the Russian Court
with marked ability, promotve of the
greatest international relations to the
mutual advantage OF both countries. The
organization at the time was made up
OF 1853 persons, representing the best citi-
gems and various professions OF the city,
of Hartford and State OF Connecticut.
The battalion at the present time num-
bers upwards of 800 members, which is
made Of representatives Of all portions Of
the State. and quite few from other
States OF the Union, there being at the
present time two members OF the bat
TALON resident at Atlanta.
The uniform of the Phalanx is strictly
and purely Continental. The chapeau is
patterned after that worn by Napoleon
and General Washington. The waist-coat
Is wholly buff, or Continental yellow. open
nearly 10 the waist. In which opening Is
inserted the Continental rufile. as worn
by General Washington. the buttons be-
ing plain gold. The coat is blue, trimmed
with buzz or Continental yellow, with gold
buttons. knee-breeches of black velvet,
black stockings. and boots with yellow
tops. making one Of the most snowy and
striking uniforms seen at the present age,
and when In line upon parade, with It's
celebrated drum and fife corps. in red
uniform. playing the old Continental
martial music, reminds one of the early
history and struggles of our forefathers
for the independence of the nation. The
Phaianx is the Oldest and most popular
military organization In America. Nearly
all of It's members are Free Masons. anu
a majority of them are Knights Tcmplar,
thirty-second degree Masons, ana Mystic
Shrinera.
PERSONNEL OF THE CORPS.
Among the prominent members are
General Joseph II. Hawley. present Sena-
tor of the state: Hon. Charles b. An
drcws, Chief Justice of the State; Hon.
A f. Burr. the mentor of Democratic
poIitics and the editor Of the Hartford
Daily Times; Hon. Morgan q. Buckley
Ex-Governor of the State. known as the
.'Crowbar' Governor: Hon. Il. G. Lorns-
bury. Ex-Governor OF the State; Hon.
George c. Sumner. ex-Ideutenant-Gov-
ernor: Samuel l.. Clemens mark Twain,
Hon. Henry c. Robinson. Hon. l.. X.
Brainard. Mayor of Hartford; Hon. .'ohn
q. Root. ex-Mayor of the city; Hon.
George w. Corbn, present Mayor of New
Britain Hon. A. 5. Crandail. =. L..
Marlor: Isaac l.. Bartram; ex-senator
w. W. Cheney, of Cheney Brothers, tie
noted silk manufacturers of Manchester;
Hon. Miles Il. Preston. ex-Sherili OF the
county; Hon. Nicholas Staub. ex-Comp-
troller Of the State: Walter s. Na'her,
Edward Mahl. ii. II. Philbrick, Heman
A Tyler w. n. Woodruff S. NJ. Bron-
son; T. A. Honniss. Henry Kohn. ex-
Alderman OF the city; Sidney e. Clarke,
OF the Board Of Education. Professor +.
NJ Huntsinger; Samuel Bassett, First Sc
lectman OF the town of New Britain.
w IL. Filley. Treasurer of the town OF
Windsor; James o. Griswod. NJ. H..
Hitchcock Charles o. Treat. Charles
Taussig, and Charles a. Lord, eX-Doputy-
Sferiffs: Lyman Smith. First Sergeant Of
Police: Hon. a. d. Valentine. of Benning-
ton. VT; Hon. Byron Weston. Of Dalton.
Mas. and many other men prominent
in politics and In their professions:
IN fact there Is scarcely member OF
the battalion who is not or has not been
prominent before the community In which