Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-09-06
LOOKING BACKWARD
Chester County Man Writes of the
Long Ago.
"REMINISCENCES OF S. B. LATHAM
Old Time Militia Was Elaborate Or
ganizaton But Poorly Equipped
Incidents of old Time Muster

lima had a well organized militia COM
posed of divisions, brig2des, battaliOns,
and companies, each having their ter
ritorial boundaries fixed by statute.
Chester county had one regiment and
two battalions, the latter known as
the eastern and western and each
commanded by a major. The senior
major ranked as lieutenant colonel
Every company had its territorial
boundary, somewhat resembling the
present day township or school dis
trict. These companies were required
by law 10 meet at some designated
place once every two months for drill.
At the first meeting, generally IN
January, all company officers were
elected from Captain to corporal.
Frequently the same officers would be
reelected. The company was then
divided into Beats" and one of the
men appointed leader in the respec-
tive Beats" The purpose of this di-
vision was to do patrol duty, which
was required of all male citizens be-
tween the ages of IS and 35, also Of
all slave holders irrespective of age,
This patrol was a Kind of vigilance
committee who would visit negro
houses and see that no negroes were
, there except those living on the place
or had written permission from their
owners to be there. These passes des"
ignated the place from and TO which
the bearer had permission of the
owner to go and the tune limit in
which to return. Usually negro men
who had families living on a different
plantation were given passes from
Saturday night until Monday morn
ing. If any negro was caught away
from home after o'clock without Il
pass. he was given a whipping. This
rarely occurred as any negro could
get a pass unless he wanted to go out
on a chicken hunt or something else
of the kind.
At the next regular meeting Of the
company, the leader or as he was called
the captain Of the patrol, had TO make
n certified report that he and his
squad had performed this duty, when
another squad was appointed and 50
on. Preachers, practicing physicians
and school teachers were the only
ones exempted from petrol duty.
As to the military feature Of this
organized militia, it was q mere farce.
The privatcs never wore any uniforms
the arms were of all kinds, sinGi"
barrel shCt guns. squirrel rifles, etc,
and these were only used at regimen
tai drills and, then only semi occas-
ionally. The commi STONED officers
on regimcntal nd battalion drill had
10 appear in full uniform, which con-
sisted of white pants and blue frock
coats with brass buttons galore, ana
swords. The captains had epaulcts
on each shoulder, lieutenant one on
the right shoulder, the colonel and
major in addition wore cooked hats
with large red and white. ppmes, top
boots and brass spurs, and when
mounted on prancing steeds made a
spectacular appearance. When all the
captains mad gotten their companies
lined up and formed in q straight line,
a courier was dispatched to notify the
colonel who would then come on the
field and take command Of the regi-
mcnt, The muster grounds were
generally an old field. The crowd
was kept off the grounds by men Sc
lected for this duty and were known
TO the populace as dog-pelters. After
marching and counter marching,
double Quicking etc, for a couple Of
hours, the regiment was formed into
q hollow square when the colonel
would make n speech complimenting
the officers and men on their prof.
cheney. Some times his speech would
he on some live question Of the day;
such as politics, education or some
thing of the like nature, and after lie
had finished would turn over the
command to the company officers and
ride off the field.
A very amusing incident occurred
mt one of these drills. Col Atkinson
when in command Of the regiment,
had carefully prepared written
speech for the occasion. BY some
means Buck Massey got possession
Of this manuscript and mcmoriZed it
and on the day Of the muster, by pre-
vious arrangement with some of his
pals" when the crowd had assembled
and before the drill, was v0cifcruusly
called on for a speech, and mounting
=. box at once proceeded to deliver the
coloncrs speech. When the drill was
over the colonel was minus a speech
and quietly dismissed the regiment
and rode off the field.
one thing about these musters
which was especially interesting TO
the country boy, was the old colOrcd
Mamma with her ginger cakes and
cider. | can remember yet how gOOl
they tasted when hungry, and how
she would smile. when she got ten
cents pay for Il cup of cider and on"
of these big ginger cakes.
Whiskcy was plentiful and always