Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-11
THE FIRST REGIMENT.

The First Virginia Regiment is name
that is inseparably connected with the
history of Richmond. when we think Of
st VIC are reminded of Manassas. of The
Seven-Days battles, of Sharpsburg, Get
tysburg. Drewrys Bluff and Appomattox.
Its roll first and last contains the names
of many Of our dearest friends and kin.
Its fame is a part OF that of the glorious
Army of Northern Virginia. 1t is also as
ISOLATED with our recollections of happy
festivals. of great rejocings and popular
1ubilations. when it paraded our streets,
the cynosure Of all eyes and the pride of
the city.
To the war just closed the First fur
nished four companies and many men.
These will now soon be honorably dis
charged from service. and though they
will return 10 us with none Of the smoke
OF battle upon their garments, that is no
fault of theirs They tried hard enough to
get 10 the front. but that privilege was not
given them. Indeed, few volunteers found
a chance TO face the enemy. The war was
of such short duration-the Spaniards
were so quickly done for-our whole army
lost in killed in battle hardly any more
than the First lost In the civil war.
4. Yes; all the companies of the First will
soon be back here in Richmond. and the
question is being asked. VIII the regiment
be reorganized and continue TO exist as
regiment of Virginia militia To this query
the one response is 1--WE hope So
The First Regiment must not go down.
Legally speaking, 1t still exists. Three
companies that remained here kept the
organization intact. And now. with these
companies and those others that volun-
teered In the war, the regiment may
bloom out again, stronger. handsomer,
and more popular than ever before.
We hear fears expressed that the Off
GERS and men who have seen service will
have had enough Of soldering" and will
never want 10 wear uniforms again. I'M
less to do actual battle for their country.
That view will unquestionably be taken
by some, but we trust not by the ma
FORTY Our people should appeal to all TO
come back into the First and give ii a
fresh start and put II again upon the high
tOdu 10 NStANtiitSS GNU tANA'
The gray uniforms ordered by the regi-
ment jus, before this war broke out are
here, and the greater part OF the money
needed 10 pay for them is in hand. In that
uniform the First would appear 10 advan-
tage The men would make an appear
ance quite different from that presented
by them in the United States service uni
A.. -. ~
lowed to vs. by thousand tender recol-
lections.
virginians generally wish TO see the
First in gray again. No other color; no
other uniform becomes them so well. We
therefore plead for the resuscitation OF
dressed in gray.
Let the veterans OF this four-months'
campaign take the lead in restoring the
regiment TO ali It's old-time strength and |
enthusiasm. There's an opportunity for |
the regiment now that II has not had for /
many years. and II will find our commu-
nifty willing 10 20 to almost any length |
10 show its appreciation OF them.
Members of the regiment now in service |
ought TO stick 10 It. Al least. let them
come In. or stay in. and set the machinery
going right; then it will be time enough
for them to think CT doffing their uni
forms forever.
That the Blues will preserve their an
Client organization in the field and con-
tinus 1t upon their return here there can
be no doubt They have done the like be-
fore. Now let the men OF the First be
moved by the same esprit de corps and
do likewise. Let IL be their pride 10 make
the old First a finer and bettex regiment
than ever. And our people for their part
must encourage this movement by kind
words and philosophical acts. Richmond
usnt 70 raise the BALANCE Of money due