About Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1868-1887 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1886)
8 HEROES OFMANY FIELDS. [Continued f'rout .second f’nijt.] missing amounted to about 70, among whom was mat gentleman, Lieut. Cyrus Carter ot Company G, who received h mortal wound while t neon, aging bis neu. Much of the lon on that occasion was duo to toe inexperience ot our men tn bush righting. They did not well under, stand bow to avail tl csnaelvca of the shel ter offered by the ({round over which they fought. But experience soon taught them this. The tight inif all around old liene eaw had an element of grandeur in it thut was awe inspiring. On each side many batteries ol artillery were concentrated , upon and in the vicinity of the mountain. I snd for ninny days just about dark in the evcniuif tee firing won la begin with great rapidity. The face of Keneraw from bine to summit a* well aa tbe surrounding slopes nnd hill tops would be lurid with ihc flashing of guns and bursting ol shell, while at times tbe forests would bo set in a blaze and add an element ot splendor and terror to the acene. But the damage done by all this noise wss inconsiderable as compared with the daily struggles In ihe picket lines—day sfter day tbe constant drain of life went on. Yet stiU the courage ol the army was unabated. THK BfMMKH UK ISG4. Every one is familiar with the history ot that summer, hew by continued reach- c CArr. H. M. BRANCH, COMMANDING SAVANNAH CADKTB. ingout of his flanks (an operation which bis superior numbers' gave him power to repeat again ami again) Sherman grad ually pushed Johnston back to the lines around Atlanta. At Smyrna Church , midway between Marietta and the Chat tahoochee liver the First Keciraent suf fered severely in bolding an isolated posi tion on a little barren hill top seme dis tance out in front of the main line with out supports on either right or left. Why it was sent there we never knew, for when the enemy did get possession ol this Ihill and planted their artillery upon it, The position was so commanded from our ilines that the guns were abandoned by the gunners so long as daylight lasted. As we neared Atlanta tbe army re ceived the hardest blow that had as yet falleu to its lor, hut not from the hand of the enemy. Without reference to the re spective merits of (lens. Johnston and Hood, it cannot be denied that with the removal of the former tbe spirits of the troops were in a measure broken. FAITH IN “OLD JOE.” There was a deep and abiding faith in ‘‘Old Joe” that was not felt for Hood, ex cept perbaps bv Ibe troops who had been under his immediate command. The men fought bravely (or Hood, but there was something lacking that had been plentiful before. Elan, dash, heart, call it wiiat you will, something wss wanting that made a wondenul difference in the troops. Tnat thia was recovered afterwards was shown by tbe splendid lighting at Franklin, but its ab sence in the final struggle lor Atlanta un doubtedly had much tn do with the mntoward results ot the campaign. hhhfd CAFT. JOHN FLANNERY, COMMANDING IRISH JASPER GREENS. The r.’frimeut took part in the battle of Teachtree Creek, but was very lightly engaged on ihat (lay. On July 22, how ever, in Hardee's flank attack "upon Sher man (when the Federal* lost McPherson, and the State of Georgia bad to mourn ♦he loss of the chivalrous Walker) •Meroer’s brigade was hotly engaged, and lost many noble officers and men. Capt. ♦Screven Turner, of Company K, was among the killed, and Capt. Umbach, of Company I, received a wound that dis abled him for the remainder of tbn war. Upon the death of Gen. Walker bis division was scattered. Mercer’a brigade ■was assigned to tbe division ot Gen. Pat ♦ leburne. At thesame tune. Gen. Mercer having been assigned to duty elsewhere, tbs command of the brigade devolved for a time upon the Senior Colonel. All dur ing tbs closing days of July and is tbs month ot August the lines of Atlanta •were firmly held, but little by little the Confederate left was extended to meet a corresponding extension of the Federal livhtdnwn the line ol the Macon and ■Western railroad. THE BATTLE OF JONESBORO. The movement terminated in the two day,’ fight at Jonesboro, where the fate ©f Atlanta was sealed. On the first day Abe corps of Hardee and Lee fought side wflfc'l CAFT. JOHN DERST. COMMANDING GER MAN VOLUNTEER*. by side, but on that night, Lee’s corps was withdrawn by (Jen. Hood toward* At lanta. leaving Hardee alon** to breast the storm on the second dav. He was fear fully overmatched, and nightfall found jeon-pe almost encircled by the enemy, and our lines, to tti-extent of one brigade Irout, tu tbelr possea-timi. With great skid (ieti, Hardee extricated himself from this hazardous post’ion, leaving h*- eoiiuLZ. desperately woo ' 1 ,10,, *• mond. la the immediate | front of the First Regiment the enemy were bo near that we 0011 M boar them j 0011 v rslnis as we moved odTsilently In darkness. It was a sad inarch, the men wereexbausl: and from the two day strug- I g!e, hut physical fatigue was nothing j compared to the menial depression that ! came upon ns all as the lurid glare in the ■ northern sky. and the dull, distant rum* j hie of explosions of powder, as Hood burned ibe supplies he could not take away, told the story ot Atlanta s tail and tbe defeat of the Confederate campaign. THK MARCH INTO ALABAMA. After a short season of rest and recu peration the army was again in motion. Our Brigade being placed in command of Gen. J. Arcyle Bmitn, a brave officer but I an exceedingly unfortunate one, in the matter of wounds. It was said that he rarely was thoroughly recovered irom one before he r. ceiled another. He was a good disciplinarian, a true soldier and a quiet gentleman. Beneath his quiet one leit a strong reserve ol force and In bis hands the Brigade reached a high state oi efficli nev. One and all, we believed in him. Northward our line of march look its way.constantly tbreatsning Sherman's line of communications. The post of Rome was captured: then a further march, still to the North, then a square turn to the West, and we swept across the northern part of Alabama until the town of Tuscumbia was reached. Then it became known that a winter cam paign into Tennessee w as ahead of us. Tbe army crossed the Tennessee river upon a long pontoon bridge at Florence, Ala., on a bright, frosty Sunday morning, and u brilliant, inspiring scene it was. On the south bank the troops were massed by divisions in the open fields, and moved to the bridge in turn with oolors flying and bands playing, while upon the opposite bank the church bells of Florence were calling the people to prayer. Between the broad, beautiful river flashed in the sunlight, its waters dashing against the bridge, sunk as it was bv the weight upon it, until'he huge ca'les trembled and bummed like a great .-Eolian harp. And still the steady march of the troops went on until the last man and gun were over and Hood was north of the Tennessee. NORTH or TIIE TENNESSEE. Restiug (or a short time at Florence the order lor the advance was again given, but here Smith's brigade was detached and sent to a point about 13 miles distant, known as Cheatham’s Ferry, to help a supply train over the river and convey it to the'army. , HEADQUARTERS OK GERMAN VOLUN TEERS. [From a Photograph by W. E. Wilson ! lt was laborious service, and lasted for nearly a week night and day. but in that week the terrible battle ot Franklin was louubt, and. as a few days later we crossed that bloody field and saw upon every hand the evidences of the awful slaughter that bad taken place there, we could not but rejoice that duly had called us elsewhere. Our division had suffered tearfully, the greatest loss ot all, however, being the death of the gallant Cleburne, who died as be could have wished, “with his face to the foe.” Smith’s brigade took its place in tbe divi sion line in front of Nashville, but li was soon detached again to serve under the renowned Gen. N. B. Forrest, who was then opera line against Murfreesboro. Gen. Smith had succeeded to the division command, and from that time until nearly the close ol the war the brigade remained under command of the Colonel of the First Begi meat. SUKKEUING or THE REGIMENT. 1 The operations arouud Murfieesboro were marked by much suffering among tbe troops. The weather was intensely cold, the ground rigid with trost and cov ered with sleet and snow. \V bile the men were poorly clad, without overcoats, and many of them barefooted. Smith’s and one other small brigade, dfhhd HEADQUARTERS OF IRISn JASPER GREENS. [From a Photograph by W. K. Wilson.] coustitmed the whole of Gen. Forest's In fantry force, the rest being cavalry, with oue section ot light rifled guns. When Hood was defeated at Nashville this little lores was In a precarious posi tion, as Gen. Thomas’ army was between It and the Confederate army. We were saved, however, by the skill of Gen. Forrest, who knew every Inch of the couutry, and who conducted his com mand by a forced uiurcti in a detour around Thomas’ left, reaebing Ho-al at Columbia, wbere he bad made a stand. THE MARCH TO COLUMBIA. No member of the First Regiment, who wa on that match will ever forget Its hardships. lilood.v trucks ot hare feet upon the snowy ground,shivering bodies, exhausting fatigue; these are some ot the memories evoked, but with them comes also the recollection ot manly en durance and a patient courage that no suffering could subdue, no danger appal. At ColuuUda Gen. Hood organized a rearguard under Gen. Forres' composed ol hi cavalry and eight small brigades of infantry,under the immediate command of Gen. Walthall, of Mlssissiopl, Smith’* brigade bad the honor to beubosen for this hazardous service. It was Intended that I Ui Infantry portion of this reargunrd should be at lea ;t .‘I.OOO men, but alter the sick, the wounded and the barefooted had been ssnt to the rear the effectives of the entire eight brigades numbered but 1,601 mas— skeleton brigades. Indeed. Few in mini tiers, yet with brave beans and. as tbs event proved, “enough” for the duty required of them. The history of the service performed by this small body of troops ha# only re- SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS; WEDNESDAY. MAY 5,1886. —TWELVE PAGES. centlv been correctly given by Ma).l>. W. Sanders, the Assistant Adjutant General on Len. Walthall’s staff.* HOOD’S KKAK GUARD. Gen. Hood’s owu account of it is full of inaccuracies, beginning with the very organlzailoii of the rear-gua'd, from which he omits tbe names of four of the command's composing it. Even Gen. Forrest’s report has errors, but the posi tion of Maj. Sanders gave him a personal knowledge of every detail, both of the organization oi the lorce and of Its daily actions, and, without doubt, his account will stand as history. Surely every man who was there hRs a right to lie proud of the record. The rear guard was formed on tbe morning of Liec. 20,1884, and it atouoe held the lice of Duck river, while the main army pressed south ward toward Bainbridze, near whicu point the pontoons were laid for the pas sage of the Tennessee. At an early hour on Dec. 22 tbe enemy crossed Duck river at some distance above Columbia. Gen. Forest ihen slowly retired, making a bold front from time to time. FIGHTING IN TENNESSEE. There was considerable skirmishing and fighting during Dec. 22, 23 and 24. At midnight on Christinas eve the ex hausted troops encamped upon a bleak hill top in front of Pulaski, Tenn. At early dawn on the day of “peace and good will to men,” we ore in motion again, and on our way through the town. It was bitterly cold; yet, as we passed along, women ami children were seen iu their night clothing at the doors and win dows weeping and wringing their hands, while in toe public square a huge bonfire blazed of stores that could not be re moved. With the near explosions ot cases of ammunition came toe distant thunder of artillery, as the enemy pressed upon the cavalry’ who brought up our rear. There was a heavy draft upon manhood on that lowering Christmas morning, and ! perhaps the most satisfactory recollec tion ol the war to each of that little band is that tbe draft was not dishonored but met to the uttermost. AT ANTHONY’S HILL. Seven miles south ot Pulaski, at Autbony’s bill, the pursuit of the enemy being vigorously pressed, Gen. Forrest decided to make a stand. Four of the small Brigades, including Smith's, were placed tn line on the crest of the hill, or just beyond it. so as to form a partial ambuscade, cavalry being upon each flank. Tbe enemy pushed boidly up the hill but were received by a destruc tive fire followed by a charge of our en tire line. They retired in contusion leav ing a number of prisoners In our bands, a good many horses and ono piece of ar tillery. Tbe attack was not repeated that day. The Confederates again resumed the line ot march, a cold winter’s rain having set in which added immeasurably to the dis comfort ol the men. The bivouac for the night was not reached until midnight, when without fires the men threw them selves upon tbe cold, wet ground to get what rest oould lie obtained under such circumstances. Morning brought freez ing weather again, and the enemy,—who pushed their attack with renewed energy. Tbe infantry that had not been engaged on the previous day were formed with the cavalry to meet them. The attack was soon repulsed sharply aud decidedly, and Irom that time until the Tenneseee river was reached, tbougn Wilson hung upor our rear he made uo further demonstration. Oa the nignt of Dec. 27 we arrived iu the vicinity of the river, and early on the morning ol Dt-c. 28the rear-guard crossed the bridge and joined tbe army on the south side. It Is permissible to quote the closing words of Maj. Sanders: “The courage ot this small body of troops was sdmirable; the hardsbips'en dured by them were terrible; and their endurance a lasting tribute to the devo tion of the volunteer soldier. * * * * The escape ot Hood’s army was commit ted to their valor, and on them rested the hope of the army to reach the Teunesaee river and to cross it in safety.” THE MARCH INTO CAROLINA. After a necessary period of rest at Cor inth and other points iu Mississippi, tbe army was called to tbe East. Passing rapidly through Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina Smith’s brigade once mort found itself under its old leader. Gen. Jo. si pb E. Johnston, in North Carolina. It was closely engaged at the battle ol Ben tonvllle, where many of the men were killed, nnd wh -re the fourth color-bearer of the First regiment received his death wound. At Smithville, N. C., a general consol idat ion of the army was made. New reg iments were formed from the fragments of old ones. Under this arrangement wbat wan left of the First, Fifty seventh and Sixtv-third regiments was brought together under the colors of the First regiment, and once more our ranks were full. Of the rejuvenated regiment C. H. Olmstead was Colonel, C. . Guy. ton, ot the Fifty-seventh, Lieut. Colonel, and J. V. 11. Allen, of the Sixty-third, M ajor. The men wore veterans who had literally borne the “beat and burden of the day.” Tough, elastic and hopeful, even in that dark bour, because of the brave hearts within them, they formed a magnificent command, of which any soldier would have been proud. But the war was practi cally over, and the regiment did not lire another gun. The army was surren dered by Gen. Johnston at Greensboro’, N. C., and in a few days the troops were upou the homeward march. AFTER THE HURKKNIIKU, An attempt was made to keep the vari ous commands together as much as pos sible until their respective States were reached. This tailed in most instances, but the First Georgia carried its colors and Us organization to the city of Au gusta, wbere its servicesnded and officers and men separated. Deteat was theirs, but not dishonor poverty, liut not shame. The cause for which they had battled was lost, and wrecked nnd ruined fortunes awaited them at borne, but each man bore in bis own breast the consciousness at having been true to duty and faithful to the end, that his actioua had demonatrated the sincerity of his convictions, and that he had earned the right to he respected by the niun who bad faced him in arms. Charles U. Olmstkad. •see Article “Hood’s Tooresee Catn paign” in the JxufAsrn Bivowo tor September, 18S3. A Happy Return, Make the return home a happy one. How? Come to us. and we will show you. We will send you away with a sinile on your faoe that will last all the wav home, and into many years to oome. The wife, daughter or sweetheart who could not accompany you will be made very happy if you call and leave an order Inr a piano or organ. Remember we will not only sell you an Instrument for less money than anyone in the country, but we will make the payments an easy that you will never mi-H the money. We have Plano* as low ns s7ft, and you can purchase so that pay meiits will not be over $lO a month. Tots [lllOM it Within tit Nstl of everyone to mak* l a purchase that would, under ordi nary circumstance*, seem luipos-llile. Wo are Southern agents for the largest and best manttfaot rers in the country, and we sell you first-class Instruments, lully guaranteed, at prices that are lower than other dealers can buy at, nnd on terms so easy that It places It within the rcaoh of all. Come and see us. —Adr. L. A B. 8. M. H. Single copies of tbs Morning News in wrappers, ready for mailing (including postage), can be had at the Counting Loom. Price 6 ceol*. GEORGIA’S OLDEST COlil’S. THE SAVANNAH VOLUNTEER GUARDS BATTALION'. Proud History of an Organization That Has existed for More Than Three Quarters of a Century— The Men “ liu Huvo Stood at Its Head to Time of Peace aud War. The Savauufth Volunteer Guards is the oldest infantry corps in Geor gia, and has at all times numbered among itS-TBiEuljtys many of the beef citizens of Savannah. In conse quence of tile loss of the early records of the corps, and the inaccessibility of ottor:soaitef *r accurate informa tion, if, indeed, sych are still in exist ence, it is impossible to give minute details of ita history prior to the year 1818. The corps was prganized ns a com pany early iu 1802, and, under the militia law.of thefcjtat.e then iu iovde, was a ttdchitftoi tlYfe Ist Regiment,*lSt Brigade, Ist Division, of Georgia Mili tia. Its first parade was on May Ist, 1802; and it has ever since, for that reason, adopted and observed that day as its anniversary. Their first parade, according to the statement of the late David Bell, who was then Ist Ser geant, and survived until within a few years past, was formed on the j east side of Bull street, in front of the site uow occupied bv the book-store 1 of Davis Brothers. On the 2oth M ay, ! 1802, the corps took part in ihe re- I ception extended to Vice-President j Aaron Burr. The uniform at that | time, as was also stated by Mr. Bell, j was blue, lightly trimmed with red, j with gold bars across the breast. The hat was what was called in the corps the “leopard skin”—a round patent leather top, with white plated visor— surrounded by a band oi' imi- cfh Bv long odds the finest military huild mg'in Savannah is the arsenal of the sa vannah Volunteer Guards Battalion. Uni que and ornate in exterior appearance and tastily nniahed within, the arsenal would stand well up toward the top of a list of the best specimens of architecture ic the city. It has been claimed for the arsenal that it is the finest one in the South, and as yet. the claim is undisputed. The site on wtiiata it stands at Whitaker' and York streets is that of the old State arsenal. The building has three lronts— lacing north on President street, west on W bltaker street and eoutb on York street. The walls are faced with Philadelphia pressed brick, and are trimmed with Alabama limestone and a variety of or namental bricks. A line of brackets, representing the muzzles of cannon which extends around the building just under the cornice, gives the structure a mil itary air. Tbis effect is heightened i>y four bay windows with loops on the tat ion U">p:ud skill with the fur on; a iriue nhinie secured to the hat, nnd extending from right to left, over the crown, to which it lay old*©, with an upright, plume on the right side, of white, tipped with red. THE GUARDS’ FIRST OFFiOER. Dr. John Gumming was tlwi first CHptaiu of the (Hiurds. Ile Was tin Irishman by birth — oueof the hading and most influential merchants of Savannah at ilia! time, and President of tho Branch Bank of the United States. He ulsoassisted in organizing and was the tirst President of the Hibernian Society, now one of the most important institutions in Sa vannah. Ho was lost at sea, oil board the steamer Pulaski, on a trip from Savannah to Baltimore. Funeral services were had in honor of his memory, at which the Guards and the Hibernians joined in the proces sion; tho former tired the customary “ ttiree rounds.” Captain Camming resigned in ISOS, ami was succeeded by Captain James Marshall, who proved himself as zealous nnd elliclent an ollicer as his distinguished predecessor, and under jiis administration the corps pros ’ls■ rod greatly. The commissioned officers under Captain (himining were James Marshall, First Lieutentaiit, and James Machin. Kuslgn; and under Captain Marshall, during his term were: Lieutenants James Ms chin, Frederick H. Kell, tfteeicWhite, Isaac Del,you and John I. Roberts. There was lately presented to the battalion, by William Grayson Mann, Esquire, an exceedingly well exe cuted oil portrait of Captain John Gumming, which was received with grateful thanks, and will be suspend ed iu the parlors of the Club rooms i in the Ammo!. IN TIIE WAR OF 1812. During Captain Marshal’s com mand, the war of 1812 with Great Britain occurred; and, probably upon some sudden occasion, tiie Guards, with the other companies of (Savan nah, composing the Ist Regiment Georgia Militia, under the command of Lt. Col. Jas. Johnson, were mus tered into the service of the United States for local defense. Besides Capt. Marshall, the officers of tiie corns were Ist Lieut. Frederick S. Dell aud Ensign John I. Roberts. The enemy not approaching Savan nah, however, this service continued only for one month. During this war, also, half of the Savannah Vol unteer Guards and the Republican Blites were sent on an expedition against St. Augustine,Florida. There is nothing to inform us how long Capt. Marshall continued to com mand the Guards. He afterwards became Colonel of the Regiment, and was so as late as 18275, when LaFa yette visited Savannah, it is proba ble that he resigned the captaincy for tiie purpose of taking the higher commission. He was succeeded, when he did resign, by Capt. Frede rick S. Fell, who had been his Ist Lieutenant, as stated. After the death of Captain Mar shall, and ufT to the time of her death, his widow was the devoted friend and patroness of the corps, which frequently enjoyed her gra cious hospitality at the family resi dence on West Broad street, and to which she presented the magnificent stand of battalion colors it now carries. Captain Fell was a printer, and at one time was one of the proprietors of the Savannah Republican. Although an active officer, lie ap pears not to have been a successful commander, and the corps is said to have suffered under him a very serious decline in prosperity. But in 1818 a vigorous effort was made to re store it, and Edward F. Tattnall SAVANNAH VOLUNTEER GUARDS ARMORY. sides. One of these windo ivs is set in each corner of the second storv. A novel idea ot the architect was a V shaped recess in the Whitaker street face. On every side of the building are verandas and bal conies. The building is 110 feet long, 60 teet in width and t>4 leet from the street pave ment to the deck of the domed roof. In excavating for the cellar and foundation, the workmen unearthed two 24-pounders and the guns have been placed,one on the northeast corner and the other at the southeast corner of the buildiug, close by the entrances. The first bricks were laid in February, 1865. aud just one year later a grand bazar was held in the arsenal and it was thrown open to the public. Tho cost ol erection was close to $60,000. Three stot les are raised on 'he granite ashlar. The first floor ts divided into rooms for stores and a supper room. Two of the store rooms are occupied. The sec ond floor is divided into clut> rooms, bil (clnrum ct mnerabile nomen) was elected captain. AN ILLUSTRIOUS COMMANDER. Captain Tattnall was of that family of Tattnalls so distinguished in the history of Georgia. llis father was Josiah Tattnall, who had been the third Captain of the Chatham Ar tillery, Colonel of tho Ist Regiment Georgia Militia, General of the Ist Brigade, United States Senator from Georgia, and Governor of the ,State. He was the elder and only brother of the celebrated Commodore Josiah Tattnall, who, himself, was a mem ber of the Guards from his early manhood to his death, and whose re mains they attended to their last resting place at Uouavehture on June 16, 1871. Governor Gilmer, in his plans,” thus describes Can tain TVft nall, whom lie knew well when <ney were members of < ’ongrAss front Georgia together. “HisneiWu was erect and perfectly formed, w/li deli cate hands and small feet. \ie a|>- jjeared much larger than he way. His walk was always with a lofty, mili tary gait and measured tread. He was the essence of chivalry. He pre ferred death to thesligh-—i.coloi\ng of dishonor. Ho rlnkyu ills liTo, ,*jd ; was near losing it several times, that' be might he considered above wrong doing. He stood by hi* country and his triends as he stood by himself. He would have gloried iu offering up I hi* life if his country’s safety liud required the sacrifice. If his bravery, generous unseitieliuess, noble gtd [ lantry and vigorous execution had been accompanied by Corresponding ready conception aud forcible ratio cination, lie would have boeu the great man of his country. He was 1 titled for command rather than uoyu lar service—for rank rather than equality.” THE CORPS’ SECOND FOUNDER. He had been a Captain in (he U. S. army in the war of 1812, amt hud greatly distinguished himself in an engagement with the British at Point Petre, near St. Marys, Ga. Capt. Tattnall entered upon the command of the Guards vigorously and with zeal. He was evidently a born sol dier; and, though a strict disciplina rian aud very exacting in his require ments, he soou secured the absolute devotion of his command, and, infus ing into it much of his own high, cmvalric spirit, enhanced, if he did not create, that intense and admirable esprit de corps which has ever since been one of its chief characteristics. Under his leadership it attained a degree of efficiency aud prosperity it had never known befoie, and re ceived an impulse which it has not yet lost. He may be considered, in the largest sense, “the second found er” of the corps. On tiie occasion of President James Monroe’s visit to Savannah on May 8, 1819, the Sa vannah Volunteer Guards, under his command, took part in the reception and parade. It was probably about the time of his election, and one of the incidents of the revival of pros perity, tiiat the second uniform was adopted—blue, trimmed and slashed with scarlet, and a full scarlet front very similar to the uniform of the French gen damcrie at one time. And, in this connection, a pleasant incident is related as occurring on the occasion of La Fayette’s visit to Savannah during his American tour in 1825. AN INCIDENT OF LAFAYETTE’S VISIT. It appears that the distinguished visitor landed at the foot of East Broad street. A contemporary ac count says; “The troops were placed in position on the green, iu front of the avenue of trees,, their right on East Bay. A more gallant and eplen- liard rooms, library.gymnasium, dressing and toilet rooms, officers’ quarters and a corridoi. The rooms are neatly finished in yellow pine cypress aud California red wood. All of the rooms open on Itae cor ridor. The upper panels of the doors are of translucent class. The third floor is ore large ball with a gallery at the easl end. Tbis ball, wbicb is the largest in the city, is used for battalion drills, balls, banquets, bazars and the like. A wide easy staircase at the east end leads from the bottom of the building to the top. The windows of the second floor all bear the monogram “S. V. G.” cut in a circle. The budding is lighted by gas and healed by steam, tbe boiler being in the cellar, A large range for cooking is fitted up in the basement. There is also a shooting gal lery in the basement and each of tbe Btores has a cellar uuderneatb. The architect was Mr. J. A. Wood of New York, and the general supemuten dent was James G. Cornell of this city. did military display we have never seen; the effect was beautiful; every corps exceeded it* customary nutu hers; many who had not appeared under arms for years shouldered them on this occasion, and the usual pride of appearance and honorable emulation was ten times increased by tiie occasion. Those who know the volunteer companies of Savannah will believe this to bo no empty com pliment.” The incident referred to is that, as LaKayette passed down the line, when lie reached Tattnall with his Guards, either affected by the sight of a uniform so familiar to’him in his own country, or attracted by the tine appearance of the company, he threw up both hands, and, with sparkling eye*, exclaimed, 41 AM qucln beaux soldutu! oupAh beaux ml data /” Gant. Tattnall continued in com nytnd until January 14, 1831—longer thyn any other commander of the cor(V before or since, save one. Dur ing t\i* time lie was elected to Con gress, ax I then ottered his resigna tion. BuVhis very name was a pow er, and the company refused to ac cept it, preferring to have Dim nomi nally in command, though long alt sent, rather than lose the prestige of ttss personal reputation. His ill health, too, kept him much from act ive duty, even when at home. Fi nally it became imperatively neces sary that he should retire, and his resignation was sorrowfully accepted. There was a long interval between the resignation of (.'apt. Tattnall and the election of Capt. Jackson, during which Nicholas Bayard, Ist Lieuten ant under Tattnall, was in command. Ho was an officer of fine capacity and highly esteemed, but persistently re fused to be elected Captain. CAPTAIN TATTNALL’S SUCCESSOR. ( Captain Tattnall was succeeded bv Lieutenant Joseph W. Jacksoii. When Captain Tattnall assumed command his subordinate officers were W. C. Daniell and Joseph \V. Jackson, Lieutenants, and David Bell, Ist Sergeant. When Lafayette visited Savannah he was met and escorted up the bluff by the Honora ble \V. C. Daniell, Mayor of Savan nah, then an honorary member of the corps. During Captain Tattnall’s term the following commissioned officers served under him: Lieutenants M. W. Stewart, Edwin P. Starr, William P. Hunter, William P. Bowen, Frederick W. Heineman, Nicholas J. Bayard, Wickliff'e Bruen, and Francis Blois. A superb crayon portrait of Cap tain Tattnall was presented to the battalion on April 30, 1886, by John R. F. Tattnall, Esquire, which (he corps received with joyful enthusi asm, and which will also be sus pended iu the club parlors in the Arsenal. cn CAPT. COSMO P. RICHARDSONK. Captain Jackson, like Tattnall, was a lawyer; and like Tattnall, too, had very much of the soldier in him. If Gov. Gilmer’s description.of Tatnall, above quoted, can be accepted, there were several respects in which he resembled him. With a similar erect and slender tigure, he had a similar stately, measured and milita ry step—he had an equally high and eliivalrlc spirit, and an equally punctilious sense of honor. He was an officer of very great merit, and commanded the perfect confidence of his company. He maintained with great success the discipline, efficiency and esprit de corns which his prede cessor left him, and transmitted it in his turn to his successor, upon his election to the Colonelcy of the regi ment in 1836, his resignation as Cap tain dating 7th September, 1836. Captain Jackson was member of Congress, and one of the most dis tinguished men of his day. He was a near relative of Gen. Henry R. Jackson, present Minister to Mexico, himself a life member of the Guards. CHOSEN FROM THE RANKS. His successor was William Robert son, proprietor of the Savannah Dai!;/ Georgian , who assumed command on November 16, 1836. He, also, was, at the time of his election, a Lieutenant of the corps. Since Tattnall’s time, at least, no one has ever been elected an officer of the corps who was not a member of it. This has been for many years an express rule, and a wise one. Captain Robertson held bus commission but a few months not long enough to make any decided mark upon the history of the corps. He was a most efficient officer. He resigned July 10, 1837. William P. Bowen was the next Captain, elected August 2, 1837. Cap tain Bowen was a planter in the vicinity of Savannah. He was a gentleman of fine soldierly bearing, an excellent officer, and in many things much liked by the members of his command. Under his auspices the corps continued to maintain itself well. He resigned in 1844. During the terms of Captains Rob ertson aud Bowen the following other commissioned officers served: Lieutenants John C. Starr, George W. Moore, John N. Lewis, and Charles F. Preston. In Captain Bowen’s time a step of great importance to the corps, name ly, the procurement of an Act of the Legislature authorizing it to have pay members, the object of which was to lav the foundation of a fund with which, at some future day, to build an armory or arsenal. hhf CAI-T. JAMES F. SCREVEN. When Captain Bowen resigned the company was iu great tribulation. Adhering to the rule, that their new commander must be a member, it was feared that they could not find one who would supply the needs of tiie corns at that time. Fortunately, their choice fell on Dr. Cosmo F. P. Richardsone, then a private in tho ranks. ELEVATED FROM A PRIVATE. Dr. Richardsone was one of tht principal, if not lending, physicians of tlie city—was very distinguished iu his profession—and enjoyed a very large and lucrative practice. He was ulso a citizen full of public spirit, and took an active part in most of tho enterprises of his time designed to promote the progress and improve ment of the city. He was a zealous member of the corps, and had been accustomed to participate in its exer cises as often ns the absorbing nature of professional engagement* would permit. He entered upon the dutiea of the commaud con uviore. Tall, very slender, aud loosely jointed, wearing spectacles for near-sight.—a l Continued on Xicvenih PaatJ-
