Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-13
THE LIGHT DRAGONS
RECOLLECTIONs OF A CELE-
BRATED MILITARY COMMAND.
BIG, MEMS EAMES ON The ROLL.
Judge Crump, Col. DOdamead, Col.
Evans, DIR. Gibson, Dick IIaskins,
John VI. Gregory, Joe Mayo, Col.
TOmpi.ins Members.
DIOR the Dispatch)

The following list has been given me for
. publication in the Dispatch by Mr.. Sam
uel :. Sublett, of Subjects. Powhatan
county. He will be remembered by our
elderly citizens as the courteous and nos
p.table proprietor of the Columbian
tavern IN the good old days of unrecon-
structed Virginia.
Mr. Sublett tells me he was of the ia
nous Richmond Light Dragons for eight
years, during which time he never missed
bur one roll-call. He has appended TO
the list OF names pencil-sketch OF the
cOmpanys flag, which he had the honor
70 bear on parade-days as hag-sergeaut
It's cOlOrs are red, white, and blue, dis
played in separate bands or bars, with a
spIinkling of stars-the old thirteen.
Il think" says my venerable friend
and correspondent you knew all these
men as well as !, for they were OF our
best citizens ! know not if any Of the
Old troopers survive. excepting Samuel
Cottrel. Robert Il. Snead. John Il. Lay,
Bob and Bunny Crouch, and myself.
Time tells T. mighty tale.
The old trooper refers In loving terms
to The officers who commanded respec-
lively the Hcnrico and Chesterfield dra-
goons There was" he says "a mutual
understanding between them and the CAP
tain Of our company 10 dine every re-
curing Fourth of July. 22d of February,
aud 18th of october, at such places as
each commander I'm turn might designate
By a card of invitation. our dining-days
found as sometimes at Buchanan's
Spring, or Fairfield or Bloody Run. or
Ritchic's Spring, OF the Farmers Hotel
in Manchester. O, these were bully
times.
They were, indeed DO not the poets
leign the old times TO Doe always the best;
tn new TO Doe always the worst? Scan
the list above given, and say If il be pos
sible now TO make another like H.
The hrst commander of the reorganiZcd
troop-lSi0-' n-was john NJ. Gregory. who
became subsequently one of Nirginias
most popular governors. Both his prede-
CessOrs and his successors la command OF
this famous company were gentlemen or
note in the military annals of Richmond.
What must have been the pride of these
brave old captains. who saw I'm their
ranks none bat eQuals-what their conf
1ence who knew If an emergency arose
every man would answer The call of the
ouglol
This pathetic story OF Dick Gaines the
black hugler OF The troop is told by
MI. Suhlett: "Do YOU remember" he
says, "Our noted hOm-blower? After the
Southampton war he went crazy on
music. lie used 10 walk the streets Of
Richmond blowing a fife. as If his whole
soul was In 1t. 1 have known him TO
stop IN front of the old Columbian
tavern and blow continuously for an
hour or more. This would be a little
before the packet was booked 10 leave It's
landing, az the head of the basin, II
any Of our guests happened TO be going
that way Dick would accompany them,
with grave military steps, and continue
his march as Ear up as the old Armoiy,
all the while blowing, till the boat turned
the bend al the Tredegar and was lost
10 sight"
The Richmond Light Dragons was In
existence before and subsequent 10 The
war OF 1872. When the startling news
came 20 Richmond Tuesday, the &d day
OF August, 1881, that the negroes Of South
amptOn had risen, and were putting
10 death it's white inhabitants without
regard TO age, sex, or condition, the
troop. under command OF Captain Ran
doiph. marched on the instant, with fun
ranks. 20 the infected district. The Artil-
lery Battery. Captain Richardson com
handing. followed at slower gait. The
Public Guard, stationed At the old Arm
DRY. were deemed 10 be suficient
Tor the protection OF the city. no Other
volunteer company than the two men
toned appears 10 have been IN existence
az the time. A cavalry company was
hastily formed 90 take the place OF the
departing one. The city was said TO be
IN It's usual state OF undisturbed com
posure. PatrOiicrs doubtless assisted
the night watch on their beats, but no
mention Is made Of their service by the
newspapers OF that period.
Nothing worthy OF note occurred during
the march of the Richmond troops south
ward, save this iudicrOus incident.
which was told me many years ago by
one OF Captain Randolph's men
DICK Gaines. the aforesaid black bugler.
having gone beyond the troop as they
were passing through thick wood. fell
unawares upon AN ambush OF patrOllers,
who. seeing a hOrsoman. booted and
spurredA and mistaking him tor General
Nat. Tuner. or other black rebel, fixed
Their triggers 10 shoot him. Dick, sur
pgsed az much as they. wheeled about
face, and cucking his head below the
meek OF his horse, 10 escape a yOlley,
dashed wildly back 20 the troop who.
suspettlng the cause OF his discontinue.
r~rrr~ So --i.r i~-~.s@- loud Iasa