The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-09
THE H0WITZERS'
ANNUAL BANQUET.
The Old Battalion Eats, Drinks and
Makes Merry at the ArmOry.
DR.. PAGES EXCELLENT ADDRESS
The Annual Rennion and Banquet of.
the Howitzer Association One oil
the Most Successful Ever Held.
Interesting "reminiscences,

The annual banquet and reunion OF the
Richmond Howitzers Association was
held last evening at the armory on
Eighth street and added another TO the
associations already long list OF events
to be remembered.
The festivities were scheduled to COM
mence at $3.50 o'clock sharp, but 1t was
after . o'clock when Captain X. ~ VIII
liams the commander OF the present
company. marshalled his forty-hye men,
and forming them into double rank IN
the armory room. marched them down
10 the banquet hall followed by seventy
five or eighty of the old veteran members
OF the battalion. men who had seen the
gallant field pieces An action and who
had felt their warm breath on the bat
tlenelds of 81 10 90.
LIND or BATTLE.
The banqueters were seated at three
long tables, the young Howitzers beng
placed at that to the west, while the
central and eastern tables We're reserved
for the old members and the ASSOCIATIONS
guests.
Caterer w. II. Zimmerman had done
himself proud in the display of delicacies
and eatable and drinkabie rare bits that
no had provided Cor the occasion. The
decorations too of the long tables were
particularly tasty and served fitting
frame for the picture Of enjoyment that
the banquet became.
WAS INFORMAL
II was in no way formal affair Col
onel Baker. the president Of the assoc
citation. resignng his place as chairman
TO Judge George l.. Christian, who made
a most efficient POSTMASTER, and formed
al a
the entire celebration.
From shortly after O'Clock until near
Is T. the walters We're kept busy and the
whole menu from blue points on the half
she'll TO the climax Gaping, bubbling or
champagne was appreciativeiy investi-
gated.
THE SPEAKING BEGINS.
With the passage Of the cigars, Judge
Christian called for the attention Of
those present and gave a genial welcome
20 the old and young members.
He said that the Association had not
been born of the pleasures OF the past.
nor OF the hopes of the future. but that
its birth was founded upon the prin-
ciples OF fellowship that the present
gathering should do its best 10 exemplfy.
THE Association" the POSTMASTER
continued. was fogtunte In having as it's
quest an old comrade OF the Peninsula
campaign, VINO tAllOuSh tAoN a. AloWlAlris
was almost good enough 70 be one. lie
referred to DR. John r. Page, OF the
University Of Virginia, whom he said was
present 10 tell OF the firing Of the first
nm in the defence OF Virginia In 1861.
DIR. PAGES SPEECH.
DIR. Page was applauded vigorously and
after acknowledging the compliment took
a staud. about the center Of the banquet
baII and told the story Of that important
event in yirginia's career In the civil
war. -.
He told how the report had come o,
the annroach of Union gunboat toward
Nevnort News. and OF the selection OF
ffteen members Of the Howitzer's bat
talon who. with several pieces or artil-
lerv went to Gloucester Point where on
the seventeenth OF April the gunDoat was
sighted and the first gun, Ho"Hzer
was fred. So.
The account was an exhaustive one, put
interesting especially from an historical
standpoint. and when DR.. Page conciudeo
he was again cheered. r,-
THANKS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Naior stiles rose and moved that n
vote OF thanks be rendered by the Assoc
citation to Or. Page. and that nc be m
vited 10 deposit a copy OF MS ADDRESS >"
the library OF the Association.
The toastmaster then read several let
tiers expressing rsgleSs Of those who cou'a