Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-16
HOWITZERS' CAPTAIN
LIEUT. II. A. WILLIAMS ELECTED
TO SUCCEED CAPT. HUTCHINSON.
JUNIOR-LIEUT MYERS ALSO PROMOTED
First-sergeant ii. ID. whittet Chosen
20 FIJI the Position of Junior-Lieu-
tenant-sketch Of the New Com
mander.
niander.

The Richmond Howitzers met last night
in their Armory and elected Senior-First
Lieutenant r. A. Williams to the com
mand of the company, to fill the position
made vacant by the resignation Of Cap
tain John A. Hutcheson on January 5tt
last. nior-First-Lleutenant w. M
Myers was elected to succeed Lieutenant
Williams, and First-Sergeant II. d. Whit
tet was chosen to the position made va
cant by the promotion of the junior-ieu-
tenant.
Captain Hutchinson for some months
past contemplated reslgning, as his bust
ness interests required HIS undivided at
tention. He was prevailed upon, how
ever, to withhold his action until January
9Th. when he communicated his resigna-
ton to the Governor.
The meeting Of the Howitzers was well
attended last night, and the result of the
election Of the officers named seemed to
give entire satisfaction to the company as
a whole.
HIS WORDS OF ACCEPTANCE.
Lieutenant Williams, in accepting the
command, said: Comrades, wish L had
words with which TO thank you for this
distinguished honor. To say that / appre-
ciate Ii but poorly expressed my feelings.
To be the commander of an organization
such as this is prize that any might
covet. 1t is an honor that has fallen to
the lot of but few, and they have left a
record that will stand for all time"
The newly-elected captain then paid
tributes to the commanders who have as
sisted in making the Howitzers what
they are. You, my comrades" said he,
have called upon me to succeed such men
as these. You would place in my hands a
banner that has never known stain or
blemish. You ask me to lead a company,
whose glorious deeds remain part of our
nations history, and can you wonder that
should hesitate to accept this, the high
est honor you can confer? Knowing SO
well my unfitness, / would that you had
selected one more worthy and more COM
petent; but flesh is weak, the temptation
Is great and / accept that which you so
graciously offer me-" In conclusion, Cap
tain Williams said: "My friends, l would
not have you think that am unmindful
of the fact that you have chosen me from
among many more worthy and competent,
but L assure you that / will perform the
duties to the best Of my ability and try
In my humble way to emulate the course
Of those who have made the name Of the
Howitzers honored in every cline"
THE NEW CAPTAIN.
Captain r. A. Williams was born in
Richmond, Va, June q, 1869, and has
spent all of his life in this city. Leaving
school in 1887, he at once entered upon a |
brilliant business career. Entering rail- |
road life. first with the Chesapeake and |
Ohio railway, taking a position in the |
department he soon displayed |
great aptitude for mastering the intri- |
,ate details of railroad affairs, demon
'trating by his strict attention to bust
ness. sobriety, intelligence, and gentle
manly department his fitness for higher
service in railroad affairs. This was soon
demonstrated by his being sought by the |
Line. Leaving the Chesa- |
'eake and Ohio, he accepted a position
With the Coast Line. first, as clerk to the
uditor. Soon thereafter, however, he
vas selected TO fill the position of audi
or, being at that time only q years Of
ge and enjoying the distinction of be-
ng the youngest railroad auditor in the
United States. Captain Williams is a
Jason and past-chancellor. knights of
'ythiaS, and a member OF the Common |
wealth and Lakeside clubs. He Joined
he Richmond Howitzers in August, 1883.
'aptain b. Lorraine, who was then in
ommand, soon discovered the soldierly
ualities of Private Williams and APP
ointed him corporal, from which position
@ arose TO sergeant. From the latter
osition, after spirited contest, he was
lected junior first lieutenant, and soon
hereafter was unanimously chosen first
eutenant, a position he has filed with
luch credit to himself, the battery. and
he State AS a sergeant, he had charge
{ the detachment sent TO Fredericksburg
, fire a salute on the arrival of Presi-
ent Cleveland at the time Of the dedi-
ltion of the Mary Washington monu-
rent. He was with the battery at Lynch
urg, where, during sham battle which
,ok place there, many men were badly (
urrod with powder, due to the careless :
ess of some of the infantry participating.
e was with the battery on its celebrated
in to New Orleans. Captain Williams ID,
fl with the first detail for Pocahontas, |
ping arduous and efficient service there {
auelling riotous strikers. The Howit-
RS are fortunate in having selected
lch an excellent gentleman and efficient ,