Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-07
LEXINGTON.
A Pathetic Incident, ut Gunrd
Mount--PersOnaI.

MOunt--PersOna1.
LEXINGTON, VA. June G.-(Special)-
Mrs Fitzhugh Lee, wife of General Fitz-
hugh Lee and her daughters, Misses AnE
and Virginia Lee, are in Lexington. They
will probably remain until the commence
ment season at the Washington and Leo
University and Virginia Military Institute
is over.
Quite a pathetic incident occurred at
guard mounting the other morning, when
John S. 1lUg, the tuba player and vete-
ran member Of the post band of the Nir-
ginia Military Institute, fell out of ranks
and slowly made his way from the
grounds. He had, as they SAID, blown
out for he is in his 18th year, having
been born in Germany in 1873. and since
his 18th year had seen active military
service either as soldier or bandsman.'
Some time ago he sent in his reslgla-
ton, TO take effect with the close of the
present session, and hoped TO finish the
year. His career Is eVentful. ana is as
follows: Six years of military service in
the German army; participated In the
German revolution of 1878; for gallantry
received a medal; was honorably dis
charged from the German army in 1858,
and during the same year came TO Ameri-
ca. He enlisted in the First Artillery.
United States army, in 1854. at Fortress
Monroe. Here he became "A member OF
war in Florida, and was Oh board OF snip
for one year. In 1859 he went to Rich
mond and became a member of Smiths
Armory Band. of which h9 and Mr.. VIII
liam Tremer are the only survivors. The
band enlisted as the First virginia Regl-
ment Band at the breaking out of the
civil war, and served until the close OF
the war. He was in the first battle OF
Manassas, and was at Appomattox. He
often made mention of the officers TO
whom he was attached, speaking very
feelngly. He was with various band
organizations i'm Richmond until 1870, when
he came to the Virginia Military Instl-
tute. where he has seen continual ser
vice for the past twenty-nine years, not
missing any time on account OF sickness.
"Old Man His" will long be remembered
by the cadets of the school who have
been there during his service, and recall
their admiration Of his exquisite bass
sOl(y, and who will regret his retirement.
The order retiring him with honorable
discharge was issued this evening at
General Wesley Merritt, United States
army, commanding the Department OF
the East, and Mrs. Merritt, Captain
staff, and Governor and Mrs. HOge Tyler,
have been invited TO be present al the
Virginia Military Institute commence
ment, and be the guests of General Scott
Ship. the superintendent. There is every
assurance that General Merritt will be
present. Captain Strother is a native
of Culpeper county, and has made for
himself quite a name In the United
States army He graduated from the
Virginia Military Institute in 1877, and
carried off first honors and the first Jack
sOn-Hope medal.
The appointment Of State cadets at the
Virginia Military Institute will be made
by the Board OF Visitors on June 2lst.
There are now on file quite a number of
applications for the vacancies. Judging
from the number of letters received
there a next
for there are applicants from all sec
tons of the United States.