Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/154

 14<> Xoutliern Historical Society Papers.

The choir then sang " Maryland, My Maryland," and the formal presentation of the monument to the Daughters of the Confederacy was made. Mrs. Neely, the President of the Chapter, and the ladies with her accepted the sacred trust by rising.

The exercises closed with the singing of "America" and the benediction by Rev. R. H. Potts.

The members of the trained choir which rendered the music are as follows: Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Virnelson, Misses Claudia Old, Elizabeth Old, Reta Renn, Nellie Howell, Sadie Wilkins, Mamie Schroeder, Louise Wilson, Annie Blunt Ridley, Gertie Brooks, Janie Neely, Messrs. Arthur Hutchins, Kit Morse, Timothy Riley, Tom Hume, Johnson Neely, Raymond Pearce and Dr. Grossman.

SKETCH OF THE PORTSMOUTH LIGHT ARTILLERY.

Portsmouth has never had but one artillery military company. It was organized in August, 1809, when John Tyler, the father of President Tyler, was Governor of Virginja, by Capt. Arthur Em- merson. The State furnished its pieces, and one of them is now exhibited in the park of the United States navy yard. The com- pany was named the Portsmouth Light Artillery Company, and under its organizer, Capt. Emmerson, fought valiantly at Craney Island, June 22, 1813.

The roll of the men who fought in that eventful battle, under the Stars and Stripes when the flag contained only eighteen stars, has been preserved by the descendants of Capt. Arthur Emmerson, and Arthur, of the fourth generation, is now a resident of the city.

The company continued its organization, and when the war be- tween the sections began it enrolled over 100 men, who were mustered into the Confederate service on the 2oth of April, 1861, under Capt. Carey F. Grimes. Its career was marked in this service. It was hotly engaged at Malvern Hill, Second Manassas and Sharpsburg, where its gallant captain was shot from his horse while directing its guns. After this engagement its ranks were so depleted that it was disorganized and its men divided between two other artillery organizations.

After the war it was reorganized for the Virginia volunteers under Capt. George W. R. McDonell, and after he retired Capt. Carey R. Warren was elected its commander.

The organization is now commanded by Capt. Charles A. Cuth -