Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-25


Rifles. of this city, will reorganfze at
the Armory. Much has been said in ref
erence to this matter, but inasmuch as
TINS gallant Portsmouth military COM
mand has Il history that not only the
citizens OF Portsmouth, but those OF the
state ut large. feel proud of. it will no,
DC amiss to give briefly Il history of it's
life end usefulness. The company prior
TO the recent call of the President for
troops. stood equal to any in the State
IN point of numbers and efficiency, and.
OF course, when called into the service
OF the country, Captain IL. W. Owens
ielt II Just pride in occupying Il position
similar 10 that of his father, when the
portsmouth Rifles took up arms in de-
Tense of the State. and the Southern
Confederacy in 1861. And lust here IT
may be added that Il number of gentle
men OF this city actuatad by patriotic
principles and pure love of country and
us welfare, met on the 18th of October.
i,'2 ana determined 10 organize what
mas since proven to be Il lasting monu-
nent to their loyalty and devotion in
the crea ton and bringing into being the
famous Portsmouth Rifles \ prominent
cltiZen was chosen captain in the ner-
son of Joshua Nicholson, and from that
.ime TO the present those who have
held the important and responsible no
sition of e.anta&I- of this-sallant- com
inand have had great reasons to feel
mat they have been very highly honor
ed, indeed.
The Portsmouth Rifles was the first
company OF infantry TO respond TO the
caH of the President for troops from
Virginia, the inspector general of the
state pelnS the authority for that state
nent; The company said it would go
anywhere, and on May 18th. in the CITY
of Richmond. it was regularly mustered
INTO the service of the country, being
assigned 10 the Second Virginia Rel
ment' ana designated as Company L.
inc people OF Portsmouth followed
closely the fortunes Of the company
during this brief war ana they will re-
nleinper the great ovation given il on
the 18th of December, 1898. when 1t re-
turned home to be mustered out. officer
ca by CAPTAIN +. W. Owens, First Lieu
Lieutenant William X. Parrish. Ser
geants John l.. Busby. William l.. Dills
nurg. Charles T.. Slote, l.. Irranl,
VAUGHN r. 4. Alexander. John j. No
prena, ana Corporals Charles +. Rudd
Harry w. Davis Jesse l.. Duffen. 4. T
Weston. Henry y. j. Smits. John w
PerciVal, Lloyd a. Kay Elijah Ricketts,
William II. Sebrell, George O. Digs
Henry 5. Tyler, with George H. Ia
I1af ana John w. Hodges as musicians.
larry j.. White, artiicer and John w
Hreeh. WAGNER. Eighty-two privates
following the above named.
me company Tomorrow night
proposes to reorganiZe upon the same
pilHctpieS Nnlch actuated the forcfath-
c''s of its members more than y mn
dred years ago and the followir~ rror,
the pen of our we'll known townsr,on
Mr. John w. II. Porter. as found I'm bis
history of the city and county. will rive
additional particulars of this brave
company or Virginia Volunteers, which
performed gallant service in the war of
M and which offered its services in
the time OF Mexican troubles:
HISTORY OF TIE COMPANY
This company was organized in pow
mouth in 1892. consequently it had
passed through an existence OF sylXtv-
nine years and witnessed two wars
When Governor Letcher issued his order
on AlAii the goth, 1861. calling it's mem
pers 20 arms. The company was arm
Ell with old style Mississippi rifles
without bayonets. but subsequently the
CITY Council of Portsmouth 7rr1rfran
arpropriat ton to fit them with sabre
bayonets. which were manufactured in
ire city at the Union Car Works.
FOR much of the information CON
corning this company and also con-
corning the Ninth Virginia Regiment
10 winch IL was attached. the author is
indebted 10 Orderly Sergeant John w.
wood. who kept Il dairy from the evac-
u2tion OF Portsmouth by the Confcder-
;WeS ON the 10th Of May. 1862, until the
close of the war
ON the Goth of April. 1861. when the
company was ordered into service, the
following We're the officers: Captain.
John G. Owens: First Lieutenant,
l.cmuel II. Cloaves: Second Lieutenant.
William l.. Tonkn.
shortly afterwards Orderly Sergeant
/ William j. Wood WIS elected Third
Lieutenant. The Rifles, like the either
Portsmouth companies, was in the
Third Regiment. 1t responded prompt
y to the Governors order mustered
under arms on the afternoon of the 20th
az Aprll, and on the morning of the
2ist was ordered. one half To the navy
yard. and the other half to Naval Hos
pisal Point. The following week the
whole company WAS ordered to- Pig
| Point at the mouth of the Nansemond
river 10 for.ify that point. They built
tnerc strong earthWork and manned
1T with guns from the navy yard. Cap
tain Robert Il. pegram. of the army.
was assigned to the battery as COM
mander OF the post. and also for the
purpose Of instruciinG the men in the
use of the heavy guns, for which SER
vice his previous experience in the
United States navy eminentiy qualified
him. The eaUhwork had not been com
plcted and only four guns had been
mounted before the United States cut
ter Harriet Lane. mounting eight guns
made an attack ON them. The Lane
took a position where only two of the
guns of tho battery could be brought to
bear upon her, and succeeded in dis
aiding one of the guns by n well di-
rcctcd shot. which entered the cmbra-
sure and struck the gun on its muzzle
The fight. however. was KEEP; up with
the Cthcr gam and after a spirited en-
Sagement OF about twenty minutes the
Lane hauled OFF. considerably damag-
ed ana having a number of men injur-
ed. She was sent 10 Washington for
repairs. No one was hurt in the bat
terry. The members of the company act
ci with the GOODNESS of veterans.
though II was the first time they had
been under fire. This battle was fought