The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-21
FIRST REGIMENT
WANTS OLD NAME
Governor Will Probably Restore
Former Designations to
All Thres.

Unless Governor Swanson, upon In
vcstigation, finds something In the
law prohibiting the change, he will In
a. few days restore the old numbers to
the three Virginia regiments, now
known as the SEVENTEEN, Seventy first
and Seventy.second. The numbers
were originally the First, Second and
Third respectively, but for some rea-
son, which no one seems able to ex-
plain, they were changed on the occa-
sion OF reorganization of the Virginia
military lust after the Spanish Amer
lean War.
A large delegation OF prominent old
First Regiment men and officers called
on the Governor yesterday and urged
that the former designations be re-
stored. In the party were Colonel VIII
liam II. Palmer, General A. L. Phillips,
Colonel Charles r. Loehr. Captain
Frank w. Cunningham. Captain c. A.
Crawford, Major c. Gray Bossieux,
Lieutenant X l.. Jeter, and Major c. o.
Saville. THEY delivered to the Cover
nor a letter from Mayor Mccarthy
urging that the change be made, and
also the following communication from
Acknowledgement Charles J. Anderson:
"Prior to the Civil War, in 1861, the
First Regiment OF Virginia Volunteers
WAS comp0sed of number of compn-
MES from Richmond, W., some of which
had served in the War with Mexico.
At the beginning of the war some OF
the companies were detached and or
dered to Norfolk, others to Frcdcricks-
burg; but the regiment, with full ranks,
enlisted, served first In the battle OF
MANASSAS, and was In continuous ser
vice until the surrender of its rem
nnnt Mt Appomattox, April o, 1893, Inv
evo H1tt P,,IIx
every duty required of II and having
made glorious record, which is n
credit and honor TO the State. In the
ycnr 1871 this regiment was reorEnn-
lied. most of the companies being sue
ccssors Of Themselves.
Other Regiments.
"rhc Fourth Regiment. with head
quarters in Norfolk, was organized
about the year 1872, and was composed
In most instances of the Immediate
successors Of the companies forming
the Twelfth and other Virginia rcEi.
ments of the Confederate service. On
the approach of the Spanish-Americnn
Wnr this regiment volunteered and
served during TINT war with the Sew
enth Army Corps until mustered out.
"The Second and Third Regiments
with headquarters Mt Stnunton and
Charlottesyillc, were likewisc formed
about the same period as that of the
Fourth, and were likewise composed OF
the immediate successors of the COM
pnnics of Middle Virginia md the VAL
ley OF Virginia, who had served In
those regiments and made much of the
history of Virginia and of that wonder
full Army of Northern Virginia. Each
of these regiments volunteered and
performed such duties rs were required
of them until they were mustered out
Mt the close of said war. The end of
the Spanish-Amcrican War. therefore,
found Virginia without any volunteer
infantry organizations.
Recommends ChnnSe.
"In the year 1000 two regiments were
formed, with headquarters ut Richmond
and Norfolk, and cOmposed In general
of the same companies ms those orig
inaIIy forming the First and Fourth
Regiments. Since What time another
regiment was formed, with hendqunr-
tiers mt Lurny. which is composed Of the
successors of some of the companies
originally forming parts of the Second
and Third Regiments.
"ro these regiments were given the
numerical designations of the Seven
tictli, Seycnty-first and Scvcnty-seconil
Regime ts; hut for what reasons Is not
known to this office, nor do the records
show cause therefor. The said dcsig-
nations do not appeal to the patriotic
sense Of the people, as lincnl success
sors to The original regiments which
made names In peace and war, and
seem to he entirely homogeneous.
"In view of the above statements, and
considering the many other interesting
facts, which would constitute n history
10 h. =,
earnestly recommended that an order
be Immediately made changing the
numbers nj the Seventeen, Seventy
first and Scventy-second Regiments to
the First, Fourth and Second Re giments
of Virginia yoluntcers.'
Take 1t Up To-Day.
The Governor left for Newport News
at o'clock yesterday afternoon to
speak at the annual banquet of the
Chamber of Commerce in that city, and
he promised to take the matter UP
on his return.
1t was rrmored yesterday that the
proposed new military rifle range had
been located near Richmond, but Gov
ernor Swanson and GENERALLY Anderson
both declared that this was a mistake,
and that nothing had been done about
the matter as yet.
betore leaving the city the Governor
offered a reward of $50 for the arrest
of Joe Hagan. who is wanted in Camp
bell county for the murder of Charles
Thurman on December rs, 1907. The
county authorities have offered a like
sum.
Treasurer A. w. Hartman, Jr., has ap-
pointed his son, Mr.. Michael Hartman.
to the clerkship in his office made va
cant by the death of his brother, Mr..
Alex. Hartman. There were perhaps
twenty-five other applicants for the
place, which pays salary of $1,000 per
year.
Governor Swanson has issued reoui-
sltlon for Daniel II. and Laura Hen-
bricks. who arc wanted in North Caro-
ma for arson. They are both colored,
and are in Jail at Norfolk.
Pay. Roll Still Large
Special to The Times Dispatch. n