Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-02
PUBLIC GUARD
SOME "REMINISCENCES OF ITS Or
GANIZATION AND PURPOSES.
PROGRESS UNDER CAPTAIN DIMMOCK.
Protected the Capital, Penitentiary,
and Armory-How characterization
Was QueIIed-An Old Method of
Furnishing Offenders.

The possibility OF the revival OF the
Public Guard" Of Virginia by the pre-
sent Legislature has found more or less
favor on all sides, in this city, and has
revived many interesting "reminiscences
Of the famous organization.
The old Constitution provided that the
company should consist of a captain
first and second-Iieutenants, six SER
geants, six corporals, two musicians,
seventy other able-bodied men. The cap
tain and lieutenants were appointed anc
commissioned by the Governor, and the
men were enlisted for a term of three
years. The captain received so pay per
month; the first-lieutenant $50, the Sc
cond-lieutenant S26. sergeants $40, cor
pcrals and musicians 50, and privates
s.. Each non-commissioned officer. mu
sician, and private received one ratio.
per day, and the same quartermastci
stores and clothing as allowed to q
United States soldier.
The last commandant of the old guarl
was Captain Charles Dimmock, who sue
ceeded Captain Richardson i'm 1872. Cap
tain Dimmock was commissioned by
Governor Mcdowell, and held the posi-
ton until the outbreak of the war, in
1861. when he was placed In command OF
z the State ordnance and promoted 10 the
rank of brigadier-general
THE OBJECT OF THE GUARD.
The purpose Of the organization was
the guarding and protection of the pub
lie buildings, including the Capitol, penl-
Tertiary, and State Armory. at which
last-named place were deposited a large
number Of arms and ammunitions, the
property of the State. Another object
Of the guard was the formation Of a
nucleus around which the militia would
rally in event of any slave troubles or
Instruction, and the guard did, in fact,
render the most efficient service at the
outbreak of the war in drilling recruits.
The arms consisted principally of flint
lock muskets. Of which "A large number
were stored in the Armory, and these
were converted into percussion muskets
in 1861 and used at the first battle OF
Manassas. The uniform of the Guard
was of gray cloth, similar TO that adopt
ed by the Confederacy, with cutaway
and brass buttons.
The men were kept under arms all the
time. and were quartered at the old
Armory. The discipline OF the Guard
under Captain Dimmock was very SINH
lar to that in use in the regular army;
there was guard-mounting I'm the morn
ing. and drills and dress parade I'm the
evening. Al the guard-mounting a detail
was sent out TO act as s~entries over the
public buildings.
Captain Dimmock, after being pro-
NOTED to the rank OF brigadier-general
of State ordnance. was succeeded by
First-Lieutenant Gay but at the evacua-
ton Of Richmond the Guard was dis
banded.
Captain Charles Dimmock was n grad
uate Of West Point. and after serving for
years, resigned from the regular army
OH account Of ill-health. and engaged IN
the practice of civil engineering. and II
was while I'm the practice Of his profes-
sion that he applied for the post OF com
mandant Of the Virginia Ssate Guard.
Dimmock presented the highest
testimonials from various officers Of the
army, and among them a letter from
General Winfield Scott. with whom he
served in the Florida war.
Under Captain Dimmock's command the
Public Guard arrived at great perfection
IN discipline and efficiency. and always
we're regarded by our citizens with pride.
THE PRECEDING REGIME.
Under the preceding regime the disci-
had smacked not a little OF the
Darbarous. When Captain Dimmock was
to the command, he assembled
he men on parade. and had a bonfire
OF a certain wooden horse and lad
Ter which had been used as instruments
torture for offenders. Upon the former
Lhe men were seated with weights on
heir feet. and for drunkenness they
were strapped to a ladder n ducked
n the river.
After the destruction OF the horse and
adder Captain Dimmock's path was not
/ bed Of roses. and 1t Is said that n wittyi