Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-14
VIRGINIA ANNIVERSARIES.
Those OF Two Statesmen and a Com.
pany Occurred on the 18th.

NN'itttu lOT tue iylspdlcn.)
Tuesday, April g. was the anniversary
OF the birth OF Thomas Jefferson. gradu-
ate OF William and Mary College mem.
Der OF the House of Burgesses. Minister
to France, active Revolutionary patriot.
Governor of Virginia. founder Of the
Democratic party and of the University
OF Virginia, and twice President Of the
United States. 1t is also the anniversary
or the birth of Henry Clay. a native OF
Hanover. youthful contemporary CT Pa
TRICK Henry (Which latter gave birth to
some immortal utterances In 81. Johns
church. this city, ever 30 many years
ago, calculated and designed to disturb
the equanimity of his Gracious Majesty,
George ILL; said Henry, beside being the
author or sundry incendiary utterances
during the Revolutionary period. was the
colonel of the first Virginia regiment ever
mustered into service. and had also ths
honor OF being the first Governor OF the
Commonwealth.
As related, Henry Clay first saw the
light of day in Hanover county, Va.
Subsequently, as "a callow youth. he adj
vanced to the dignity OF making mud
pies, next made himself. AS all small Toys
will. genuine nuisance to old Mrs. Clay.
his ma. More advanced In years he was
dispatched daily on the back Of the pa
tient mule to the institution whence was
derived the pack of ground corn neces-
sary for family use in the Clay home
stead From this little incident happen
Inc in the jocInd lestiyity OF rdoescencs
was derived the afterwards potent ana
nearly conquerlng political shibboleth OF
a MIL Boy of the Slashes."
From Hanover Clay came to Richmond,
served a year or two as Deputy Clerk In
the General Court of Virginia, under Judge
George Wythe, one of the signcrs OF the
Declaration OF Independence, and after
acquiring a fine handwriting, struck out
for Kentucky. At that time this appen-
dage of Virginia had emerged from tho
thraldom OF being The Dark and Bloody
Ground" lowing TO Indian killing. because
OF the active exertions OF Daniel Boone
and other owners OF old hint-lock rifles
and trusty 'skelping- Clay founn
o fine field and improved II. He had only
to call for pie, and 1t was handed him.
His memorable holdings we're Speaker or
Congress and member OF the Senate.
Sundry times candidate Tor PRESIDENT,
he as often failed; once he was Secretary
OF State; again he had that celebrated
duel with John Randolph Of Roanoke.
Mr. Clay established an Ideal political or
ganlzatlon, called 'the Whig party Ein-
bracing much Of the talent OF the coun-
try, and large percentage or It's re-
served responsibility, the Wing party,
as well as it's founder nevertheless were
swept out OF existence half century
ago by "the tide of time when, IL -
SAID. walls Tor no man.
Two of the anniversaries or TINS DAY
have been briefly but snccinctly rels,ea
as to main incidents. The third, which
is of purely local significance, remains.
To come down to our moutons, az tne
French say, those OF youthful statue IN
age. but those of not very remote antique
origin, may remember the celebrated ante
bellum and belum Young Guard or Ricn.
mond, the best-dressed, disciplined. ana
most strictly military organization known
in the history of the city of Its time.
To-day, April 18th. marks the forty.
seventh year on the dial OF time when
"the Young Guard emerged from the
chrysalis OF youthful desire. The COM
pany was commissioned by John ~
floyd. then Governor OF Virginia. The
company had been organized in an en-
thusiastic meeting OF boys In January
1850 They obeyed military lnstinc'
which they could not resist. John H.
Richardson was asked to take command.
He was n son OF an ex-commanier OF the
Public Guard, nephew OF Adjutant-Gene-
raj William III. Richardson ana ex-Sec-
rotary Of the Commonwealth, ana grand
son Of William Richardson. twice siayor
of Richmond and first commander or the
Richmond Light Infantry Blues. He ac-
cepted. and at the Old-Market Hall mot
that now standing) commenced dfililng
the company by the light OF nasnins
candles, for there was no gas then ex-
tant. -
|, After awhile the boys got themselves
in order, and. the military instinct stili
prevailing. proceeded TO elect oficers.
which they did, choosing IN the order
named John II. Richardson. charles r.
Rady, Hugh w. Fry John II. Tyree'
Louis Lottier. William l.. satterwnite,
and - Dudley. The then entrance 10
Old Market Hall was up a long pair or
wooden steps. After the selection tney
were burdened with the tramp, tramp,
the boys are marching for George SAD
ler's restaurant not far on. FROM inns
night the Young Guard dated Its exist
ence. -, 49,, a..
In a social way In ante-bellum times It's
career was glorious. In the war us GAL
Iantry was conspicuous. William A. Char
tiers commanded the company when the
war commenced. Three. captains anu
two-thirds Of the men died on the Held
Of battle. In the haicyon, peaceful days
ire remembered those choice spirits or
he organization-Patt Patterson Allan Josh
Taylor Bill satterwhite. Joe BARLOW. Pc
ter Burke, Oscar Cosby, "Pigg Simmes.
lin and Louis Lee Lacy, James y.
Vaughan. James f. Phillips, Ayiett X.
Woodscn. James Sizer, Jr.. Dr. r. w.
Hancock Dr. ]. c. watson, and Alexan-
der d. Guigon.
The attempt TO preserve an organisa-
ton of survivors OF the company since
the war has only been partially success
ful. Meanwhile yearly those leit ha'e
been passing the river
Taking their rest with their arms at
will"