The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-06

compared with other commands in this
country at national celebrations, to old
New Workers. 1t Is more than this. For the
history Of the Seventh is the history Of the
town, full Of the flavor Of the old days,
when its officers congregated in coffee
houses, when lower .Broadw ay and the
Battery were the places of parade and when
there we're excursions to Bloomingdale to
see the men shoot. For the regiment had
the same distinction in those days that.it'
has had since. It's fame was national them
too. It's ranks fifty years ago and back,
Of that represented the wealth and culture
OF the city. New York's Imperial Guard"
was one OF the names for it back in the
'bOs. :
The city has grown until it has room for
more than one military body more or less
Of the exclusive kind, but it is probable
that the Seventh will always keep its place,
and In man. ways it will remain unique.
1t is the only regiment owning its armory,
costing, all told, perhaps 81, 900 900. This
Ia not altogether an evidence of the
wealth Of its members but rather Of the
popularity which it enjoyed years ago. The
members contributed much Of the money
and the people contributed the rest, 80 that
the regiment could have n fitting home.
Built twenty years ago, the armory as an
srmory is not surpassed by any in the city.
As a regiment the Seventh is practically
s~elf-supporting.
NOT ALWAYS THE EvENTH
The Seventh hasn't always existed as the
Seventh. In fact 1t has only been known
as such since 1S47, and for this reason there
are those who dispute its claim to a CEN
tennial celebration as an organization.
The fact remains that whether 1t was
called the Twenty-seventh or the Eleventh
back in the early days, there are four COM
panies in the present organization whose
history goes back to May 0, 1906, and which
have preserved their identity unbroken
ever since.
These four companies enjoy a peculiar
distinction. It was they with whom the
name National Guard" originated in
this country. They decided upon this
name to distinguish them when they were
a battalion Of the Eleventh Regiment Of
Artillery in 1924, and 1t was not until 1852
that the State came to call all its militia
by this name.
1t was through the visit Of Lafayette
that these -four oompanies-A, B, c and ID
~'h " oepl't ebio uillC 1iSy ldl
been known as the Second Battalion Of
the Eleventh Regiment OF Artillery. They
were waiting to receive Lafayette at the
battery when 1t was suggested that they
take the name Of the organization made
famous by Lafayette-the National Guard
OF Paris. The officers used to meet in
those days in the old Shakespeare tavern
on Ful$n street, and there it was that the
name was finally adopted.
The -four companies came into existence at
a time OF national excitement. The spirit Of
the organizers as shown then has pervaded
the organic alton ever since. 1t was when
British ships were lowering outside the har-
Dor Of New York and firing on our merchant
vessels that the little command was formed.
There was a rush to enlist on the part Of
all classes at hat time. but there was more
than Just the desire to enlist as a soldier
that characterized the organization oil this
ommand that has grown into the present
Seventh.
MEMBERSHIP CAREFULLY PICKED.
There was ar effort made in its incep-
uon to have 1t a band Of men who would