Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22
THE BOY SOLDIERS.
SKETCH OF LYNCHBURG ZOUAyEs,
NOW AT CAMP LEE.
FIRST FORMED OF MERE LADS.
Caught the Military spirit at Sum-
mer Encampment and Two Com
pnnies Were Organized, But Sub
sequenIy United.

1t has occurred to the writer that per-
haps a brief sketch, Incorporating some
facts relative to the Virginia Zouayes.
Of Lynchburg, not brought out in the
necessarily limited notice OF the COM
pany on it's arrival in Richmond, would
be OF interest to the Dispatch readers. For
the Zouaves, although the youngest
members has at least readable his
tory. Its organization dates from 1888.
I'm the summer of which year an encamp-
ment of the Third Virginia Regiment was
a pleasant event I'm the history of
Lynchburg. Among the companies in at
tendance were the Culpeper Minute Men
and the Warrenton Rifles.
The daily drill at the sncampment fred
the boyish imagination of a number Of
ardent youths, already schooled in the
parental curriculum TO venerate the SOL
der of the Confederacy as the highest
type Of man and hero. Lynchburg, it
Is well to remember, is pre-eminently a
city of southern chivalry, the ardor Of
whose citizens was but slightly abated
by the finale Of Appomattox.
TWO COMPANIES OF BOYS.
Scarcely had the encampment ended
before two Juvenile companies were or
ganized, one choosing the name Lynch
burg Rifles and the other that Of Lynch
burg Minute Men, the companies of the
encampment above named being honored
by the adaptation Of their company cog
nomens by their youthful Lynchburg adj
mirers.
AT first, both companies wore knee
breeches and shouldered wooden muskets.
They drilled to the exclusion of
every social function and boyish amuse-
ment, and the rivalry OF the respective
commands spurred each TO its utmost
endeavor TO excel the other. Finally,
however, emulation was succeeded by
combination, the Minute Men being alb
sorbed by the Rifles. Soon thereafter the
distinctive title under which the organiza-
ton has achieved local and State
renown was adopted, when the uniform
Of the command influenced and dictated
the choice Of the Virginia Zouaves" as
the permanent designation.
The Hill City evidenced a disposition to
encourage the martial spirit OF the boys,
IL.
members OF the citys representative fam
lilies. The Zouaves prospered-and
drilled. Captain John Clark, the original
captain, was succeeded several years
later by the present captain, Robert Ed
ward Craighill, whose Confederate ances-
try is indicated by names first and se-
oond--those of the immortal Lee. The
spirit Of the captain has since consistent
ly dominated the policy of the COM
pany, who, two years after their genesis,
discarded the wooden weapons for
Springfield rifles, which, by courtesy Of
the extinct Lynchburg Light Artillery
Blues, they secured in 1850
WON A STATE REPUTATION.
The State reputation of the Zouaves
began in the year OF the dedication of
the Richmond monument to General r.
Il. Lee. The company was present In the
capital city that year for the first time,
and by their picturesque red, white, and |
blue uniforms-after the Zouave style
unusual attention. The favor !
able comment then engendered was |
strengthened in after years, for no con-
event of military character I
has occurred in Richmond since then
that the Zouaves have not participated |
IN. While il is true that the distinctive /
primarily caused comment, the |
qualities OF the command and |
those which the company is proud OF, |
are the tactical perfection OF the organ
zatien and the social status OF its per-
sonnet.
At the Lee monument cornerstone lay
ing, the Lee unwilling, one of the big |
Richmond expositions, the dedication OF |
The Soldiers and Sailors monument. and |,
the Confederate reunion OF 1896, the
Iouaves have been conspicuously in evil
lence, their precision OF drill In the line
If march and gentlemanly department
m duty equally contributing to the build
ng OF a reputation that the company
,alues above price.
The Zouayes have on several occasions
'nriched dwindllng treasury by means
u amateur theatricals. from which they
AVE cleared IN the aggregate several
hundred dollars. In this connection there
5 a delightful little romance. Captain
,raighill, modest as he is good and true.
,ecame acquainted with the heroine OF
me OF the plays. and his precocious
,achelor heart suecumbed. The charm-
ng heroine aforementioned. Miss Mamie