Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-12
ANOTHER ADDITION TO
FIFTH CoMPANY'S TROPHIES.
Have Won Many Honors in the Exist
ence of Organization, Which Dates
from Soon After the War.


The Fifth company, Coast Artillery,
Captain Tarbox, have hung in their
company parlor the bronze shield which
they won the past summer ioI being
high in rife practice, thus adding an
other to the many trophies won dur
ing the existence of the company, of
over forty years, although changing
the name several times during those
years.
After the close of the civil war many
of the Norwich veterans who wished
to continue the friendships and fra
ternity gained in their country's SER
vice organized a militia company. Ev-
cry member of the new organization
was veteran of the civil war. The
first captain was J. Elbridge Wood
ward, late captain of Company F, 18th
9. V. The company became Company
G, Third regiment c. N. G. 1t was
called the Buckingham Guard, but lat
er this name was changed and the COM
pany was called the Norwich City
Guards. For many years it was known
as the veteran company Of the brigade.
On one occasion, in camp, there was
discussion among the officers about
which company had the most veterans.
Two captains claimed this honor and
they decided to investigate. 1t was
found that one company had As, while
Company had IS.
Company c, in combination with
Company B, participated in the enter
tainment of the famous Seventh New
York regiment when it visited this city.
The testimonial sent to Norwich by
the Seventh New York can now be seen
in the City hall.
In June, 1878, the Hillyer Guard,
Company B, First regiment, visited
Norwich, and was entertained by Com
oil frny
Hillyers now hangs in the company's
parlor. In June, 1885, the Manchester
Rifles, Company G., First regiment
came to Norwich and were quartered
at the Wauregan. Company c made a
special parade, and was present at the
banquet in the evening at the Waure-
gan. Captain Tarbox was a member
of the Manchester Rifles at the time,
and remembers well the felicitous
speech made by General ]. B. Colt.
When the call came for troops for
the Spanish war, Company G respond
ed promptly and went into the service
with the Third Connecticut Volunteers,
under the late Colonel Augustus =.
Tyler. The company has acted as escort
to the g. A. R. on Memorial day. with
but two exceptions, every year since
that day has been observed. The first
exception was in 1866, when the COM
pany, being composed entirely of vet
Grams. paraded as veterans instead of
as militia. The second exception was
when the uniforms had been sent away
for repairs and were not returned in
time
In fact, the company has been ac-
tive in the life Of Norwich during the
forty-three years Of its existence. One
of its members became the captain Of
a light battery, u. S. A., and another
is now a first lieutenant in the reg
ular army. Two of its captains, w.
F. Bidwell and F. A. Fox, became ma
jors Of the Third regiment. When
Company was organized the three
commissioned officers, Captain Fox
and Lieut.. John A. Hagberg and
Charles A. Hagberg and most of the
non-commissioned officers had been
schooled In Company c. The success
of the.new organization speaks well
for the school in which they were
trained.
When the Third infantry was chang
ed to the coast artillery corps. Com
pany C became the Fifth company, but
It retains its records and is proud
Of the early history Of the organiza-
ton.
When Captain Fox was in command.
Mrs. A. c. Tyler gave the Tyler tro-
ply, a cup valued at several hundred
dollars. to be competed for by the
companies OF Lne i NlTQ regiment, II
it should be won three times by the
same company it was to become the
property of that organization. The
first year it was won by Company c
under Captain Fox, the second year
by the same company under Captain
Howard. and the third year again by
Company under Captain Kingsley.
In recent years 1t has twice won the
second prize in the battalion shoots.
On one occasion Company I Of New
London was first and Company A Of
Norwich third, on the other Company
NJ of Danielson was first Company A
third. During the season Of 1908 it
won the national trophy, a bronze
shield as its individual figure of mer-
It was the highest in the c. A. c.,
which is made up of fourteen compa-
MES.
The company won range honors at
the local rifle range on the spring
field day. and won the sub-caliber am
munition at Fort Terry In 1908 for
making the best record in battery drill.
This record was within two seconds
of the best time made by the regu-
lars.