Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-07-27
TgE OLD DOMINION RIFLES.


To the Editor of the Alexandra Gazette.
In YOUR issue of the 9Th instsut l
notice the very interesting "Rscord OF
Old Dominion Rifles" and, true it is
that Alexandra should be more than
proud that such were her native sons,
who with so many more, equally as
brave and true, marched side by side for
four long years in one of the greatest
struggles OF the ages. There were some
happenings which do not ses in tue
record, however. The formation of the
company was conceived Immediately after
the capture and hanging of "John
Brown," which occurrence naturally Gre
ated much excitement among our citi-
zens.
One day, in connection with Mont
gomery ID. Oorse, of Oorse Brothers,
bankers, in whose banking house | wss
teller, We we're speaking OF the likeli-
hood OF trouble with our northern friends
and that men would be needed for the
organization of an army to repel any in
yssiou of the state that might occur. |
asked Major Corse if be would take CON-
msnd of q company of rifles II started
the organization. and succeeded in get
ting a sufficient number of men, snd he
replied that she would certainly do so"
though che thought l would have a dll-
ficult task before me-" But l was de-
termined to try it, and called meeting,
at which l presided, though only
three others Edgar War6eld, s. d.
Smith and MshlOn Il. Janney) attended.
However, hat WAS the ftst roll call, and
we we're all present, and three of US con-
tinued the work of enlisting our friends
until the formation of the company with
a total of sixty eight, rank and file. The
Old DomiOiou Rifles was first and last
upon the field. The company went into
camp at WsrIenton, Virginia, after the
state seeded, and was mustered into the
service of the state of Virginls, aud re-
turning to Alexandria did active service
on the river front and outpost duty be-
tween this city aud Washington. and
was marching down King street on the
morning of the 24lh of May when Col.
Ellsworth was shot at the Marshall
House by jas. w. Jackson. About two
thousand of the enemy we're entering the
city, so the company turned about and
marched out by the Little River turn
ptke for about two miles and boarded
train of fiat cars, which dumped the
company at Springfield station, nine
miles from AlexaDdris, and the same
night we reached Manassas by train.
If remember Alright General st.
G sorge Cooke was in command of the
troops at Alexsndris, aud Gsnersl Nc
Dowell at Washington notified him that
be would give him until y O'Clock OF
the 24th to evscuste the city, but before
daybreak the enemy bad crossed the
Long bridge and csnght our cavaly nap
ping, the frat prisoners, perhaps, OF the
war.
Membership Old Dominion Rifles at or
g4nizatOa December 6, 1860 ............ 68
Members dropped out ................... 10
Original members, rank end file 10
A ftsr membership p........................... %
Total membership .............-.... 1l2
From the company there arose eleven
commissioned officers including our brig
adler general and one colonel aud nine
on.commissioned officers. Perhaps this
may interest some of the old BOYS.
FRANK A. WISE
noI Iuiy I q