Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1915-09-26
OLDEST ENGLISH
IS HISTORICAL

LONDON, Sept. 25.-The Oldest regi-
ment in the British army is not a
part of the regular establishment, but
a militia regiment, the Honorable
Artillery Company, which is allied t.
the Honorable Artillery Company at
Boston.
Both the English and American hon
orable artillery companies trace their
documentary history back to Henry
VIII and their legendary origin to
William the Red, son of the Conqueror
The London company has just cele-
brated its 37Sth anniversary, for it
was on August 25, 1897, that the Kings
charter granted to ''certeyne webb
loved S'rvants & Subgiettes'' the right
to establish the 'Guylde or Fraternitie
of Saint George, " This guild estab-
lished an Artillery of Longbowes
Crossbowes and Handgonnes" which
had as its object "the better encrease
of this our Realme C Maytenance o.
the Science & Feate of Shooting" In
return for their patriotism the mem
bers were granted the privilege of
wearing any man'r of Ibbrowdery or
any Cognisaunce of Sylv'r or
any man'r of Sylks as Velvet Satten or
Damasks,' and also were freed from
serving on juries. Moreover, they
could not be charged with murder if
they happened to kill accidentally any
tresspasser during target practice ir
the "Fynnysbury FIELDS, provided they
shouted warning.
The company leased a piece of
ground which became known as the
Artillery Garden. Other towns be-
came envious and began to apply for
charters, Colchester, Bristol and Var
mouth among them, but the parent
company had but one genuine off :
spring, and that is the Honorable Ar
tillery Company of Massachusetts
which was founded by some members
of the London company who emigrated
to Boston.
In 1641 the H. A. c. obtained the
land they now occupy in Bunhill
Fields. In dispute as to the choos-
ing of officers that arose, a compro-
mise was effected by the Privy Coun
Gil. Since then, their Captain General
has been either the Prince of Wales or
the King himself.
During the civil war in the middle
of the seventeenth century, the H. A.
c. took no part, although it's members
sided individually with King Charles.
Yet they attended Cromwell's funeral
as a body. At the Restoration they
threw off their republicanism and ac-
cepted James, Dukue of York, as their
Captain General. The H. A. c., on
James departure to France, welcomed
with equal enthusiasm it's succeeding
commanders, who were William
George of Denmark, and George o.
Hanover. Their hearty reception 50
pleased King George that he sent them
a donation of 500 pounds with which
a new armory house was built.
In their Bunhill quarters there re
kept as relics the royal warrant book,
the drum majors staff of 1879 and
some of the magnificent uniforms worn
during the reigns of Queen Anne and
George /. The great vellum book con-
tanning the names of members from
1910 to 1852, stands unparalleled as a
muster roll, as John Milton, Christie.
pher Wren and Samuel Peppys as we'll
as the leading names among the roy
atty and nobility appear on it.
The H. A. G. is not parade organi-
cation. Not only have it's present
members gone to the front, but ais
great numbers of recruits. A larg ;
have been commissioned in
other commands.