Volunteer Militia — The Confederate Cemetery — The National Cemetery — The Confederate Veterans — The Sons of
Confederate Veterans — The Schools, Private and Public, &c.
In times of peace and quiet, in free America and even in conservative
Virginia, it is necessary that cities should have some military
organization that can be called upon to protect the citizens
in their persons, rights and property in case of any emergency
that might arise. It is true that such cases seldom occur in Virginia, but if they should, it is necessary to have some organized force, under the laws of the State, to meet and put them down. This being true, Fredericksburg has, in all periods of her history, encouraged and financially assisted volunteer militia companies. And it can be truthfully stated that, in all the past of the town, the young men have shown a special fondness for military organizations, and, so far as we can gather from records and tradition, Fredericksburg has been well protected in this direction. It is very doubtful if at any time since Major Lawrence Smith seated ' himself "down at or neare" the falls of the Rappahannock river and manned a fort with one hundred and eleven men, Fredericksburg had not a military organization, either active or dormant, that she could easily call into service in case of need. It is quite certain she has been well represented in every war since the settlement of the country, in which her sons have played conspicuous parts and have been commended for their gallantry and brilliant achievements. One of the first companies remembered from tradition was commanded by a Capt. Blackford, and is said to have been armed with wooden guns. This company was among the guard of honor to Gen. Lafayette when he was here in 1824. It met the General and his suite at the old Wilderness tavern, escorted him to Fredericksburg, and, when he left, accompanied him as far as Aquia Creek, on the Potomac river. It did not last long as an organization. The first company remembered by the oldest inhabitants, which lasted any length of time, was the Fredericksburg Guards, which was organized many years before the Civil War. It is not known exactly when it was formed or who was its first commander, but it is remembered that at different periods it was commanded by Captains Wm. A. Jackson, Wm. M. Blackford, Robert Smith, John Pritchard and John S. Porter, the order in which they served being in doubt. A company, known as the Mercer Rifles, was also organized and commanded by Capt. D. Lee Powell some years before the war, but in a year or so it was disbanded in consequence of the commander changing his residence to Richmond. In the early part of 1859 the Washington Guards was organized, with Capt. Joseph W. Sener as commander. It was well equipped and elegantly uniformed and drilled. When John Brown and his party were captured at Harper's Ferry in the Fall of 1859 by Colonel, afterwards Gen. Robert E. Lee, and turned over to the State authorities, this company was ordered to Charlestown, by Governor Wise, to guard the prisoners, and remained there in that capacity until the last of the party was executed, when they were ordered home. In the same year, 1859, the Fredericksburg Grays was organized, with Captain Wm. S. Barton as commander. It is said this company was called into existence because of the excited condition of the country and a determination on the part of the young men of the town to be ready for any emergency. On the return of the Washington Guards from Charlestown they were met at the railroad depot by the Grays, who extended them a warm welcome home, escorted them to the Shakespeare House, where a grand banquet was given them, which was followed by speeches and a good time. These two companies, before the war and preparatory thereto, were formed into a battalion, of which Captain Barton was made major, Robert S. Chew becoming captain of the Grays. Many pleasant excursions and picnics were given by this battalion, which are well remembered by many, now living, who were participants and enjoyed them. But many of those who took part in those pleasant scenes have since then passed to the Great Beyond, and those now with us show the marks of Time upon them and are patiently waiting for the last call that shall transfer them to the great army above. The battalion had a drum corps, consisting of eleven drums, which was presided over by Mr. Pipenbrick, of Falmouth, who was appointed drum major. A boy company, known as the Coleman Guards, commanded by Captain W. F. Gordon, was also organized just prior to the war.