The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-19
THEY HAD AN
ALL-DAY PICNIC.
Veterans Of the Old First Celebrate at
BIandOn Park.
DAY WAS PLEASANTLY SPENT
spceches Made by Several Gentlemen
War Stories Told and Splendid
Dinner servcd-Brief History of
This Gallant Regiment
DAY WAS PLEASANTLY SPENT

The survivors OF the First Regiment
celebrated the thirty-seventh anniversary
OF the battle OF First Manassas yesterday
by an an-day picnic at Blandon Park.
There was an unuhually large attend
ance OF Veterans and the day was most
pleasantly spent
Letters and kilograms were received
from a large number Of persons who
could not De present
Speeches were made by Captain John
II. Greanor of Norfolk, Major Il. T..
Howard. Colonel vs.. H. Palmer, Colonel
K. J.. Maury and Mr.. w. IT, Aeipns-
ham
A splendid dinner was served in coun-
try style. When not eating and drinking
the veterans and their guests enjoyed the
music rendered. told war stories. discuss
cd The present trouble with Spain and
otherwise employed their tine
HISTORY OF THE FIRST
Thirty-scven years ago the gallant
"Old First" was given the post OF honor
al Blackburns Ford. where the direct
road from Conroyillc TO MANASSAS
crosses Bull Run. and here the battle
was fought ON July is. 1861. which result
ed I'm a repulse 20 the enemy, and the old
First gained IT'S first laurels. To COM
memofate this glorious day, the surviv-
OTIS have kept up the custom of meeting
each year on that day 90 have Joyful.
time but there is also a sadness mixed
with these gatherings, when the many
empty chairs are noted.
The boys Of 1861 have added thirty
seven years TO their ages, and these
years have left their marks but only
those who have been there can describe
the feelings when those who have not
seen each other for months and years
meet once more and recall the stormy
times when they stood side by side in
the ranks and faced death.
In the battle OF Williamsburg, May B.,
1852. the First captured Wehbcrs New
York Battery the only guns taken hy
the Confederatcs I'm that battle. AT Sew
en- Pines. the First led the charge made
by the brigade which captured the enc
my's work. at Frazer's Farm komper
Brigade, with the First. made history
in that wonderful charge through the
brush and swamp reaching the enemy S
lines and Selling their batteries. They
were compelled however. 90 relinquish
them TO the enemy who 0utnumbcrcd
them ten TO one.
SECOND MANASSAS.
Second Manassas came, and here the
First served under General Corse. and TO
them fell the duty of taking and cap
turing the enemy's lines and guns 40 the
Chinn house. There was no failure in
this; the batteries were taken and held,
and here it was that Colonel Frederick
G.. skinner, Of the First charged singly
far ahead of the advancing lines into
the firing batteries, sabring the cannon
GERS 40 their pieces. AT Boonsboro
Sharpsburg. Fredericksburg, and Suf-
folk the history-making was continued.
pickctts charge a. Gettysburg tells
the story OF what brave Nrginians Will
dare and do. The First, led by the gall
liant Lewis r. Williams, who fell 20 rise
no more on that CORY Held, was the CEN
trail regiment OF Kcmpers Brigade ano
the record of 40 killed and wounded out
OF $50 tells the story OF duty performed
as they charged "ntO the jaws Of hell
Newberne. then plymouth. where the
First took part I'm the thrce-days siege
until the Stars and Stripes went down
with its defenders, followed, and then
came Drewry's Bluff What "A record the
First made there. 10 broke up the right
wing of the enemy's line, and together
with the Seventh, 10 captured General
Hickman, together with his staff and
most OF his brigade, four cOlors from as
nany regiments Of his brigade. formed
q part OF the First Brigade's display on
the streets Of Richmond on May 90
1864
Milford station was the next point
visited by the First. Here the First and
Eleventh fought for hours the advance
OF Hancocks Corps with the result that
they brought Grants army 20 halt
The lines OF works west Of the Mat-O-
poni river. opposite Milford which may
be seen this day, VIII testify 90 tho fact
that tho enemy thought he had Lees
army before him. which was az that
time twenty miles away
FINAL HISTORY.
on June 10, 1854 ar the Clay house
General Lees c0uriers called 10 the men
20 stop the charge. but as General Lee
said himself. "he could not stop Pickett s.
men from charging" and the enemy was
sent flying from the trenches. DInwiddie
Courthouse. Five Forks. and Sailors
Creek close the history OF the old First
and the flag which carried The First 90
victory on so many bloody fields was
folded 20 be unfurled no more. but his
tory VIII not forget the men that dared
an for the cause they loved so well
They have not lived IN vain their deeds
VIII inspire the coming generation. and
show 10 the world 40 large that the
American citizens can De turned into SOL