The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-09
NORFOLK CITY GUARD.
The Twsniy-Flith Anniversary Of the 0rganl-
1atlon Of the Company Occurs To-Day.
a BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMMAND.
Tho Several Commanders aud When
They Were Elected-The Present
Roster of the COmpany-The Re.
cords of the EARLY Days or the
Organization Very Incomplete.

In the building No. 40 Commerce
street. within fifty feet of the Virginian
Building, Just twenty-five years ag5 to-
night, meeting was held which gave
birth 10 what is to-day one of the largest
military companies in this State-the
Norfolk City Guard, Co. B. Fourth regi-
ment, Virginia Volunteers. Some weeks
previous to that meeting a committee
had been hard at work making canvass
If the young men of Norfolk urging
them TO organize an infantry company.
something which the city did not have.
IT was big undertaking In those days,
because the young men of Norfolk had
seen Very little of the pleasures Of mil
!tary life. They had, many of them. ex-
perienced Its hardships a few years pre-
vious and were not inclined to again en-
ter the service of the State. The effort
was successful however, and a sufficient
number We're enrolled to effect a perma-
nent organization. The late Captain w.
A. S. Taylor was elected the first can
tain OF the new company. but declining
to serve the honor fell upon Captain
Robert Freeman. Interest in the organi-
cation fiuctuated during the first three
m5nths, but eventually the then "boys"
settled down and elected Captain N
Burruss as their commander. This was
the beginning or n new era In Norfolk
military affains, for Captain E3urruss
y L.
street, which they moved into In Septem-
Der. On October 9th of the same year.
the new organization received the first
uniform that they ever wore, In which
they appeared at an inspection, three
days later Captain Burruss was greatly
interested in his command, and succeed.
ed In organizing u drum corps among
the marines at the navy-yard, but the
latter was forced to disband on account
of the assertions OF its members.
Il was nearly year after its organiza-
ton before death visited the ranks Of
the Norfolk City Guard, the first VIC
tim being Sergeant Z. j. Griffith, on
March 10th. 1872 He was buried the
next day, the funeral being held Mt
CRANKY Street NJ. E. Church, and the re-
mains being accompanied to the Gene
terry by the organization of (which he
was member and the Norfolk Light
Artillery Blues.
The first big parade in which the City
Guard took part was held on July 4, 1872.
when the city was visited by the Lee
Guards, of Richmond. and the Corcoran
zouaves, of Washington. The day was
an unusually hot me-
the first trip away from home was
made on October 30th. 1872, when the
Guard visited the State Fair in Rich
mond, where they remained several
days.
The early records of the company are
very incomplete, the first complete set
OF oiilcers being given i'm those of the
annual meeting ON April 3. 1873. when
the following were elected: n. Burruss,
captain: r. Freeman. first lieutenant; w
!. Bui', second lieutenant: George w
Iayior, junior second lieutenant; Harry
hodges, quartermastcr; led. Odend'hal
color sergeant; G. f.. Hopkins. j. A. Dali
1y, D. {. James, c. j. Holland, c. W.
Jones. serseants: G.. w. Stevens, Frank
II. White, Benjamin s. Rosson, A. l.
Jordan. James II. Pierce, and w. X.
Lamb, corpcrals Many of these are
stlll living, and engaged in business In
this city.
In 1874 the company had narrow
escape from disbandmant. The members
seemed TO take put little interest in It's
meetings. and Captain Burruss became
so discouraged that on January If. 1875
he resigned the command. being succeed.
ed by Captain Il. V. White. who was re-
elected at the annual meeting following
IN May.
on August H. 1877. the company paid
lis first visit 10 the White SULPHUR
springs. which has since been followed
ny visits each year 10 some distant point.
where the boys have been royalty enter
tanned. Washington, Richmond Peters
burg, ana Lynchburg. are among the
| places which have been visited. Each
year the company has held target prac-
tice. the last being at Ocean View a
week ago.
Colonel c. a. Nash, commanding the
| t'ourt Regiment, was elected captain of
the CITY Guard on Sep.mber II. 1879
upon the resignation OF Captain White
who few months later was presented
with silver pitcher and goblet in recog-
milton OF the many cour;es!es he had ex-
tended to the members.
the present commander OF the comma.
NY joined on February 10, 1851. fifteen
years ago.
The Norfolk City Guard has taken part
III every big military event held in mi.
state since its organization, and has
made many trips outside of the State
During the Yorktown Centennial they
royalty entertained the thousands OF mil.
iary men who visited Norfolk.
Inc present handsome flag owned Inv
'Ae company was made IN 1851 by a lady
al old Point. They have taken part in
Two raids on the oyster dredgers. in
one OF which they captured sixty pr,s.
one!s and seven boats ON February -
1882. 80
Ii was in April. 1888. when can,ain
Nash was promoted to Major Of The
Fourth Regiment. and was succeeded
by Captain II. Hodges. who was sue.
ceeded by Captain Terral in 1890.
Besides the duty mentioned tho com
pany has been called out three times
to do guard duty in this city-;wIce n,
nres' ana '-nce TO guard the CITY iau
Two years ago they won second nrize
al the competitive drill in Richmond
and at the last inspection turned ont
win s!Xty-three men in line, the largest