Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-28
ABOUT THE ARM0RlES
tue INFANTRY COMPANIES COM
rrTrNG TO REACH STANDARD.
ALL ARE ANXIOUS FOR SERVICE
The walker Light Guard Celebrates
,be 2T,b Anniversary of Its Organ
Observation-Disclosures and Loyalty
Splendid Banquet.

! each night. The medical examination,
however. is very severe. and none but the
finest physical specimens are accepted.
Company Il. OF the First Regiment, has
been the first TO reach the standard. and
with twenty recruits last night will have
some men to pass on TO other companies.
| The election for officers for this company
will take place tomorrow evening. Lieu
| tenant Fairlamb. it IS expected, VIII be
| elected TO succeed Captain Spence, re-
/ signed though Mcssrs. Cabbeil and
! Herndon Cary, two Virginia Military In
! stitute cadets. are aspirants for the place
and both visited Colonel Jones last night,
/ and had conferences with him. Sergeant
/ &. l.. Thomas. II is believed, will be made
first lieutenant, If Fairlamb is promoted
! and Mr.. Charles Johnson, the new quar-
tcrmaster-sergeant will probably be
chosen for the second lieutenancy.
The old members Of Company G are
taking a lively interest in the progress
Of that organization. Colonel Spottswood
was in the company-room last night, and
says he has reason 20 believe that the
company will be one Of those selected TO
form Virginia's quota. The old members,
he saws. will stand by the organization
10 a man Captain Mills, of Company +,
SAYS his company will reach the stand
ard tonight and his men are all en-
thusiastic over the prospects OF service
Company u, of the Blues. met last
night and elected fifteen new members.
This brings the organization WITHIN
thirty-nne of the limit, and many apph-
sfs.,,.
LIGHT GUARDS ANNIVERSARY.
With characteristic hospitality. and in
very genia, frame Of mind, the rank
and file of the Walker Light Guard
gathered around the festive board in
Huchers restaurant last night and cele-
bratcd the twenty seventh anniversary
OF the organization No war cloud how
cred over that feast, and though the
company confidently expects 10 be mus
tered into the United states service.
no note was sounded that was not in the
key Of enthusiasm while pride IN the or
SANITATION was the keynote Of the coca
sion. Many distinguished persons had
been invited TO be present including Gov
ernOr Tyler and Colonel Jones, but tney
were represented by letters of regret
that pressing duties prevented their
presence.
The company marched from the Arm
ory after the regular weekly drill, over
sixty strong, accompanied by a dozen
or more guests The rooms in which
the banquet was spread were decorated
with the stars and Stripes. and each
man was presented on entering with a
small flag. which he wore in his coat.
The prevailing spirit was light-hearted
and free. while in perfect good taste. ana
there was the proverbial hot time.
A really delightful repast had been pre-
pared. and it was greatly enjoyed. Cap
tain Frank Cunningham was. OF course
at the head Of the officers table, and he
made a most efficient POSTMASTER.
The first toast of the evening was TO
the memory Of Fritz" Of the Metropoli-
tan Trio, who was much liked by the
Guard. entertaining them during their
encampment at Ocean View last summer
often singing to them song which mas
since become popular in Richmond-'heep
to the Middle of the Road" The min
strel died last week, and the toast was
drank standing and in silence.
Dr. Hinchmar was called upon TO re-
spond to the sentiment, The Walker
Light Guard-may it always sustain It's
proud record" Or. Hinlmsn was one
of the organizers Of the company, and |
he smoke words Of encouragement, con-
EfaluldAlER
fts smart and soldierly appearance.
Private S T. Aiken was introduced as
the man who always has plenty to say !
for himself, and he sustained his record |
i'm a bright and happy speech.
Mr.. Frank j. Craigie was well received, |
and responded in humorous vein. and in |
an impromptu ode to the Walker Light |
Guards chivalry and bravery, which |
elected much applause.
COUNCIL AND CITY EMPLOYEES.
Captain Frank Cunningham made a |
brief address at this point, in the course |
of which ne said he would certainly so |
TO cuba If the City Council would allow !
him TO return to his office on his re- |
turn. He could not possibly so If that
body insisted that he should Vacate his |
position, and he asked the men to make |
a poiut Of seeing the members Of the |
Council TO induce them to take some ac-
ton in this respect at their next meet
ing. lie called upon the men TO repeat |
after him the oath of allegiance. which |
they had taken upon enlistment and this |
was done soemnly and impre5sively.
MIR. Fuller Gaskins was called upon as
one Of the old members of the company, |
and made q happy speech, in conclusion |
expressing his firm conviction that the |
walker Light Guard would do its duty
whenever called upon and wherever
placed.
UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS.
The popular first lieutenant. Mr. w.
Russell. received quite an ovation and
he spoke earnestly and eloquently Of the
duties of the Guard. They were ready,
he declared, as volunteers Of the United
States. and il called upon, he felt sure
not a single man would be absent They
would all 30. he said, with a whole soul |
and free will. and though practically |
without a regiment. would uphold their
record under all conditions. He drew
attention 10 the fact that though Vir-
ginia was hampered for want of funds,
yet her soldiers had been among the first
to volunteer. They would go wherever
Captain Cunningham would lead them,
he said and then. pointing TO the flag
of the United States. he declared. This
is our flag; we will follow it wherever 1t
goes. right or wrong
Ex-Lieutenant George n. Wilson spoke
briefly. and the toast to the press was
acknowledged by its representatives.
In proposing this toast. Captain Cum
ningham said that he regretted that their
action in regard to General orders No.
had been misunderstood. They never had
any other idea than that they were bound
to the United States. Under the exist
ing circumstances, he said. they did not
know whether or not they were going
to uphold the honor of the First Regi-
ment but in any event they would go 10
uphold the honor of the old Dominion.
Lieutenant Miller was cordially re-
ceived. lie said the company was al
ways ready. and he would do his best
TO go wherever the organization went
TIulobar was iptrodupad and urOfn- |