Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-11-02
DATE BACK TO 1857
Oldest British Regiment Has
Long Record of Service.
Honorable Artillery Company Is the
Premier Organization of the Army
Commanded Either by King
or Prince of Wales.

The Oldest regiment in the British
army is not a part of the regular es-
Enlistment. but militia regiment
the Honorable Artillery company,
which is allied to the Honorable Artil-
lery company of Boston.
Both the English and American hon
orable artillery companies trace their
documentary history back to Henry
VIII and their legendary origin TO VIII
liam the Red, son of the Conqueror.
The London company has just cele-
brated it's three hundred and seventy.
eighth anniversary, for it was on Au-
gust %. 1887, that the kings charter
granted to "certeyne welbiloved
S'ryants & Subgiettes' the right to
establish the "guylde or Fraternitie
of Saint George" This guild estab
Ished an "Artillary of Longbowes
Crossbowes and Handgonnes," which
had as its object the better encrease
OF this or Realme & Maynetenance of
the Science & Feate of Shoting." In
return for their patriotism the mem
bers were granted the privilege of
wearing ANY man'r of lmbrowdery
or any Cognisaunce of Sylv'r .
or any maD'r of Sylks. as Velvet. Sat.
ten or Damaske," and also were freed
from serving on juries. Moreover.
they could not be charged with muir
der If they happened to kill accidental.
ly any trespasser during target practice
in the "Fynnysbury Feds" provided
they shouted warning
The company leased piece OF
ground. which became known as the
Artillery garden. Other towns be-
came enyious 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 1871 the l.. A. C. obtained the
land they now occupy in Bunhill fields.
In a dispute as to the choosing of Of
ticers that arose, a compromise was
effected by the privy council. 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 n. A.
G. took no part, although it's member
sided individually with King Charles.
Yet they attended Cromwells funeral
as a body. At the restoration they
threw off their republicanis1p and ac-
cepted James, duke of York, as their
captain general. The III. A. c., on
James departure to France, welcomed
with equal enthusiasm its succeeding
commanders, who were William,
George of Denmark and George OF
Hanover Their hearty reception 50
pleased King George that he sent them
donation of $500. with which a new
armory house was built
In their Bunhill quarters there are
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 aud
George /. The Great Vellum book
containing the names of members from
1910 to 1882, stands unparalleled as a
muster roll. as John Milton, Christie.
pher Wren and Samuel Pepys, as we'll
as the leading names among the royal
ty and nobility, appear on it,
The H. A. G. is not a parade organi
cation. Not only have its present mem
bers gone to the front but also great
numbers Of recruits. A large number
have been commissioned in other com
mands.