The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-22
UNANIMOUS VERDICT.
Prefer to Follow the officers Of Their
Own Selection.
" UNHOLY, UNRIGHTEOUS WAR, "
Old Howitzers Express Themselves as
Having No Heart i'm the Struggle.
At the Rcgimental Armory.
Target Practice of Company
D-The Troopers Who are
30 Disband To-Day.

There was quite a lively time at the
Howitzers' Armory on north Eighth street
last evening, when for more than an hour
and a half the cannoneers discussed the
question as TO what should be done in
regard 20 general order No. s, which re-
quired their captain TO report how many
men would volunteer to go outside Of the
United states or to follow the call Of the
President within the borders Of this State.
The discussion was finally ended by the
unanimous adoption of a resolution stat
ing that the Howitzers would go wherever
duty called them.
II was nearly o'clock when Captain
r. A. Williams called the members Of the
battery 70 order. All men responded TO
the roll-call, except three, one Of whom
was in Baltimore at the time. while an
other one was sick IN bed and the term
OF service Of the third one had recently
expired. There We're also quite large
number OF members Of the Howitzers
Association present.
GENERAL NO 8.
General order No. s. which called for
the information, as 20 how many would
be willing 20 do military service within
the United States and how many outside
Of the country was then read and dis
cussed at some length. with closed doors
During the discussion one of the men,
bers OF the battery suggested that mas
much as 50 many Of the members Of the
Association were present, their advice be
heard on the subject.
He was told that the members OF the
Association had not been asked to give
any advice and inasmuch as the battery
would have 10 do the fighting in case Of
war, its members should be the only ones
TO be allowed TO talk on the subject This
seemed TO be the prevailing sentiment.
and a motion to that effect was adopted
When finally the several questions as
10 the volunteering were put to a vote.
not single member OF the battery re-
sponded. The following resolution was
then unanimously adopted:
The RESOLUTION.
I'VE the members of the Richmond
tIowitzers, Battery A.. First Battalion,
Artillery, Virginia Volunteers, fully ap-
preciating the oaths we have taken in
time Of peace and not unmindful of the
responsibility which rests upon US as an
organization in time OF war. are ready
at all times as a organization and with
the officers of our own selection 10 obey
the commands OF our superiors to sup
port and protect the honor Of our coun-
try and to follow the officers Of our own
selection wherever we may be ordered.
AS individuals we will not sacrifice
our organization by volunteering to per-
form the duties referred 20 in General
Orders No. s, but upon the above con-
dtions we are at the command OF our
superlors."
This ended the secret session and the
doors were then thrown open TO the re-
presentatives of the press and several
brief addresses were made by members
OF the Association.
Mr. d. O. Davis called attention 10 tha
fast that this day. the 2lst of April, was
the anniversary Of the day when thirty
seven years ago the three Howtzer Com
panies were mustered into the service OF
the Confederacy i'm Capitol Square just
opposite Hoen's lithographing establish
ment lie expressed that whatever re-
suit would emanate from the resolution
Just adopted. IL would rebound TO the
benefit OF the battery.
A CONTRAST.
Captain Carlton Mccarthy said that
while he had not been able TO express his
sentiment on the subject during the early
part of the meeting yet ne liked TO call
the attention Of the members TO the fact.
thar If they enlisted under the resolution
lust adopted they would be just like the
soldiers i'm the United States Army they
would not know. where they would have
TO 20 and how long it would be until they
could return. The romance attached 10
the sol6iery Of thirty years ago had van
fshed and none OF the present members
would be esteemed and regarded as hlgh-
ly as those who fought for the Conied-
eracy.
The chance for a promotion continued
Captain Mccarthy. will also not be as fre-
ouont as in the past. for there VIII be
many. anxious 10 accept appointments
and they will be successful through pom
tical influence. The present outlook IS
void of any romantic opportunity and II
I could carry out my personal prefer
ence. then the war should be fought oy
the professional regular onhcers' pdcheo
by such men as they could hlre,
Cantain r. ]. Bosher stated that ne had
no symnathy with the pending movement
and that the threatening war was unholy
and unriehteous.
There were still calls for more Speeches
hut Captain williams thought that there
had been enough oratory for the occa-
sion and he adjourned the meeting.
II was stated afterwards that already
from forty to fifty applications have been
received from young men who are willing
to ioin the Howitzers, If they should be
ordered out.
AT THE REGIMENTAL ARMORY.
There was again a busy scene at the
RegimentaI Armory last evening, for
a large number OF visitors thronged the
lower hall all evening, apparently waiting
for developments, which, however, did
n Il cCme.
The commissioned officers Of the First
Regiment assembled at headquarters
whore they tried on the new gray uni
forms.
Company d had n brief business meeting
10 take action in regard 10 General order
No. g. and the company voted unani-
mously that they were ready to do their
duty. should they be called out.
TARGET PRACTICE.
Company d. First Regiment. Infantry.
CaptaIn c. A. Crawford commanding, yes
terday celebrated its thiTty-seventh an
niversary. In the afternoon. az has been
the custom IN former years. a target ?rar-
tice took place In the rear OF ChinIDorazo
Park.