The National tribune., 1903-10-08


EARL OF DENBIGH. 1T. Col. COMMANDING
II. A. G..
thus gave birth to the modern militia
ideas of England, and to our own coun-
try as well.
The Honorable Artillery Company is
mentioned in history by many titles, prob
ably an attempt to shorten its first one.
In los it was styled the Military Glory
of the Nation" Charles |. in 1862 had
called it the Company OF the Artillery
Garden and Charles III. i'll 1851 styled it
simply Our Artillery Company" The
term "Honourabl e' was first applied to it
in 1863. Queen Victoria. who was very
proud of the organiZa ton, confirmed the
title Honorable Artillery Company in
1860.
BY Royal command this fine organiza-
ton ranks in seniority Immediately fol-
lowing the regular army of the British
Empire, and before the militia, yeomanry
and volunteer forces. 1t can be called
into service whenever militia is embodied,
and may be required to act in aid of the
civil power; but it is the only force which
the King can call out without the consent
OF Parliament. and therefore may be con-
sidered 1.-The Sovereign's bodyguard."
In 1850 it played conspicuous part in
the suppression Of the Gordon riots. durin &
which it was under arms for SIX days.
and helped to keep the peace during the
trial Of Lord George Gordon. In 1871 it
guarded the Bank Of England, in 1874
helped maintain tranquility during trial
for high treason, and in 1903 prepared to
join in resisting a threatened invasion
by the French. In 1SiS it was called into
service on account of the intention OF the
Chartists to proceed to the House of Com
mons, its detail being to occupy the Guild
has been Guard Of Honor to the Kings and
Queens of England on many momentous
and memorable occasions when they have
visited other European countries.
AT the present time the Honorable Ar
tillery Company consists of six companies
Of infantry. two batteries OF horse artil-
lery and veteran company. The infan-
try wears the uniform Of the Grenadier
Guards. and the Artillery that of the
Royal Horse Artillery. In each case.
however, silver takes the place of gold,
service, and the latter of service in the
regular army. The scarlet coat Of the in
fantry dates to 1922. The full Grenadier
uniform dates from 1890, when it was
adopted for both infantry and artillery,
but the uniform of the artillery division
was changed to blue in 1851. No altera-
ton in the uniform can be made without
the Kings consent.
The regiment numbers about 500 men,
bers. If one Of them should be discharged
from the regiment against his will, he has
the right of appeal to the King, through
the Secretary of State. for relief.
The officers Of the regiment are chosen
by the Crown.
THE BOSTON ORGANIZATION.
o, The Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company of Boston, of which the London
company is now the guest, is the out
growth of the British organization. As
the tide of emigration set westward, q
number of the members of the British or
ganiZa ton came to the new world to make
homes, and settled in Massachusetts. The
Indians were near and very bad neigh
bOrs, and military organizations became a
necessity. ''Train-bands" were organized
in Massachusetts in some 10 different
were without military training, they
formed kind Of central organization,
which in 1887 began meetings for drill,
their drill masters being the emigrant
members Of the ancient military organ
ization Of London. They finally, in the
latter part of 1887, applied to Governor
Winthrop for charter, and he refused it.
He pointed out in his letter of refusal
chow dangerous it might be to erect n
might easily, in time, overthrow the civil
power" In 1888, however. the charter
was granted. This "a ncW the oldest mill
tary organization on the continent, and Is
the sister of the British regiment. Since
1857 friendly relations have existed be-
tween the two organizations, cemented by
letters and occasional visits Of individual
members to London or to Boston. In 1888
81 members OF the London organizati ton
visited the United States as guests Of the
Boston Company, and were taken to visit
Gettysburg, West Point and Washington.
In 1896, the Boston regiment, in full
uniform, visited London, and although not
going there on invitation, but just as mem
bers making tour Of the country, were
greeted royalty by the London company,
and were entertained by the Queen, at
Stripes were for the first time admitted.
The Ancient and Honorable Company Of
Artillery Of Boston WAS the first Ameri-
can organization ever permitted to enter
England armed and equipped as military
body. Taken as q whole, the reception
given the regiment was such as is very
seldom given any but crowned heads. The
Boston Company has ever since desired
to return the Inequalities of that year.
and an invitation was extended the Lon
don Company two years ago, and accepted.
The headquarters of the Boston company
are in Fanueil Hall.
The itinerary Of the London company
includes West Point, Niagara Falls. New
York, Montreal, and Washington. Presl-
dent Roosevelt will give the Britishers a
warm welcome and reception at the White
House. which their ancestors tried to burn
in 1914. This will be the first invasion Of
armed British troops since that memora-