USA > New York > The first hundred years : records and reminiscences of a century of Company I, Seventh Regiment, N.G.N.Y., 1838-1938 > Part 14
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In Astor Place they had a row, and "Toujours Pret" was there, Each man performed his duty while the missiles flew in air, It taught the mob the troop had come to see that play was fair, And in the roughest of the fight it took a lion's share.
Come listen to my ditty, etc.
In Sixty-One its ranks were full, and marching down Broadway, The air was made to ring again with cheers for "Toujours Pret," Each comrade's heart was in the fight and eager for the fray, And Easton never prouder was than on that April day. Come listen to my ditty, etc.
No matter what there was to do, we've always "scooped the cake," When Arthur, Casey, Harper, showed the proper steps to take, Three better posted captains you must get West Point to make, And the record they have made us will be very hard to break. Come listen to my ditty, etc.
Oh, if it is a girl, sir, I'll tell her bye and bye, To choose her husband only from the ranks of Company I, But if it is a boy, sir, I'll dress him up in grey, And teach him as his Daddy did, to march with "Toujours Pret." Come listen to my ditty, etc.
147
"THE 1880's
The Equestrians from "Katharine"
ANOTHER DRAMATIC TRIUMPH
Encouraged by the success of the great undertaking "William Tell," the Ninth Company, as ever "Toujours Pret" to tackle anything, decided to add to the fund established the year before by producing the following :
"KATHARINE"
A Travesty by Mr. John Kendrick Banks Under the Auspices of COMPANY I, SEVENTH REGIMENT, N.G.S.N.Y. at the METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE, 39th Street and Broadway Thursday, April 5, 1888 For the Endowment of MILITIAMEN'S BEDS IN THE HAHNEMANN HOSPITAL
Manager-Francis G. Landon Asst: Manager-William D. Preston
We take pleasure in acknowledging the valuable assistance rendered us in stage instruction by MR. FRANCIS WILSON
Our thanks are also due, for our chorus, to Mr. Richard Henry Warren, Mr. MacGrane Coxe, Mr. W. W. Thomas, and Mr. Sheldon W. Ball for his choir boys.
148
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
CAST
Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona in search of a wife, not lacking in spirit or wealth, particularly the latter
Baptista, a wealthy resident of Padua, with a surplus of daughters and ducats
Lucentio, a gentleman of Pisa, quite willing to aid Baptista in reducing the surplus
Tranio, a servant and accomplice of Lucentio
Hortensio ( two gentlemen of Padua, in search of wealth, also
Gremio S willing to aid Baptista in the reduction of the surplus Grumio, servant to Petruchio
Biondello, servant to Lucentio
Milliner
Laura, a widow before her first appearance, coincidently and sub- sequently a bride
Henry W. Banks, Jr.
Bianca ( the surplus. The first, amiable but intelligent. The Katharine S second of a fiery disposition, reckless and unbroken
Samuel W. Sterrett
Edward Fales Coward
Cooks Chef-Clinton S. Martin Assistants Louis B. Burtnett
E. Hunt Allen
Lincoln W. McLeod
Edward P. Hatch
Edward J. Chaffee, Jr. Robert M. Lyman
Franklin A. Plummer
William F. Moffett
Edward L. Montgomery
Arthur Taylor
Wedding Guests, Cooks, Messenger Boys, Newsboys, Peasants, Banjo Students, Pages, Servants, Musicians, Bass Drummers, Ushers, Auditors and Costumers
A LATTER-DAY KATHARINE
Mr. J. K. Bangs' Travesty Produced at the Metropolitan
A large and brilliant audience gathered to witness the thespian efforts of Company I, 7th Regiment, last evening. "In times of peace enjoy yourselves," is the motto of the gray-coated young gallants of Company I, 7th Regiment, and their friends evidently approve of this pleasant doctrine, judging from the throng which despite thunder, lightning, rain, and mud, flocked to the Metropolitan Opera House last evening to witness the production of "Katharine" under the favoring auspices of the Company, for the endowment of militiamen's beds in the Hahnemann Hospital. The floor of the great edifice and the tiers of boxes were filled with glistening shirt fronts, waving fans, and charming feminine faces. It was a very fashionable audience.
Large and beautiful souvenir programmes containing matters of interest regarding the piece to be produced, some general information, and some artistic productions were perused until the big curtain was rung up and a number of frisky Paduans in slashed doublets of many colors announced smilingly and harmoniously that they were a pretty tough lot.
"Katharine," a travesty on the "Taming of the Shrew," was written by Mr. John Ken- drick Bangs, who was assisted in the score by Sir Arthur Sullivan, who brought airs from Heaven to make melody for Mr. Bangs' rhymes; a combination which proved gratifying to the audience.
The music of the piece is pleasantly suggestive of the "Mikado," the "Pirates of Pen- zance," and other old favorites. A large chorus of trained male and female voices added much to the musical effects. The girls were dressed in orthodox Paduan costume; that is, as it is understood to be.
"Katharine," alias Mr. Edward Fales Coward, made "her" appearance on the stage amid tumultuous applause. She was a lovely lady, tall and willowy, with "erubescent" hair, flow-
Francis G. Landon
George M. Boynton
William D. Preston William P. Claggett John W. Wood, Jr. William A. Denison J. Wray Cleveland Henry Paret Henry Paret
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THE 1880's
ing robes and a killing glance. Mr. Coward as Katharine resembles strongly in looks and actions Miss Ada Rehan in the same part.
In the third act, Katharine, with the versatility of a Mrs. James Brown Potter, appeared in another new and beautiful gown of white silk with salmon flabs on the sides with holes to put your arms through, decolleté, cut en train, diamonds. This was her wedding costume. Later the erstwhile foppish Petruchio appeared with a very high William M. Evarts white hat, untrimmed, a calico dressing gown, cut v-shaped from the tails up, and carrying a big horsewhip with which to tame the shrew.
After the wedding Katharine refused to go home with her husband, whereat he threat- ened her with the power of wealth. He produced a nickel and dropped it in a slot. A trap opened and a chorus of little messenger boys ran in and circled around singing. These little messenger boys were hailed with delight by the audience, and were compelled again and again to circle around the stage with their song, and, when the curtain finally went down and left three little tow heads in front of it who had become confused and gone the wrong way, the enthusiasm of the spectators was boundless.
The part of Petruchio was filled by Mr. Francis G. Landon, with whose acting the 7th is familiar, undoubtedly as good an actor as we have in our ranks. He filled the part carefully and conscientiously, and if the rôle did not suit him so well as some others, he has taken, his performance was greatly to be commended.
"Baptista," undertaken by Mr. J. W. Wood, Jr., was dignified, as was necessary for a man so "long" of daughters, and it was no wonder that he looked old for his years with such an one as "Katharine."
The most graceful performer, perhaps, was Mr. W. D. Preston, as Lucentio (with song from the odes of Horace). He was also in good voice, doing quite as well as "Signor Bing- Binger, the baritone singer," of whom we all know.
Mr. William Dennison, who impersonated the aged Gremio, was ague-stricken both in limb and voice, quite in consonance with his part.
The efforts of Mr. J. Wray Cleveland as Grumio, received the good will of the house, while the legs of "Biandello" brought it down. They were beauties in their way, and were apparently cut to a pattern. It took two characters to display them in their entire excellence, in the first of which, the gentlemen whom they were sustaining, seemed overcome with "buck- fever," requiring the efforts of four more legs belonging to a convenient chair, either to support or conceal him-his angle with the floor was estimated to be 78°.
Bianca, Katharine's mild and browbeaten sister, was a steady, manly sort of fellow with a heavy black mustache very imperfectly concealed by pigments. Off the boards she is known as Mr. Samuel W. Sterrett. Baptista, the father of these bouncing girls, was described in the programme as having a surplus of daughters, and their suitors are "willing to aid in reducing the surplus."
Lucentio sought an acquaintance with Bianca, but, while she loved him madly at sight, her etiquette book would not allow her to speak to him, so she sang to him many verses of a little song instead.
The chorus of cooks was one of the best features of the performance. Dressed in their white suits and under the direction of Mr. Clinton S. Martin, they sang and jigged them- selves into popular favor until exhausted.
In Act IV, there were four scenes: The opening one proved the hit of the evening. Grumio, mounted on a wooden horse, Petruchio on a Jackass, and red-headed Katharine on a fine white charger, sang to the air of "The pretty little flower and the big oak tree," from Ruddygore :
The whole thing was due, as a matter of course, To the red-headed girl on the old white horse.
At the close of the play a chorus of newsboys rushed in, offering extra evening papers in rhythm and rhyme, and Baptista bought The Evening Sun .*
There were loud cries for "Bangs!" and finally the bright young author appeared and bowed with modest grace to the cheering audience.
* NOTE: Bangs was associated with The Evening Sun.
150
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
HAHNEMANN HOSPITAL
(Now known as Fifth Avenue Hospital, Fifth Avenue and 150th Street)
When we started giving our amateur performances for a militiamen's bed in the Hahnemann Hospital, the Hospital was our neighbor, being situated on the northeast corner of Park Avenue and 67th Street.
Later on it combined with other hospitals and is now known as the Fifth Avenue Hospital.
An endowed bed costs $5,000. We donated $2,000 toward that object, which now stands on their books to the credit of the Ninth Company.
The ladies of the Hospital made a great drive in the late 'eighties to raise money for these National Guard beds and succeeded in raising $18,000. After this, with our contribution of $2,000, the total raised amounted to $20,000, which, as you see, endowed four beds. F. G. L.
THE NINTH COMPANY INVADES YONKERS-1888
In accordance with Company orders No. 2, series 1888, the Ninth Company assembled in fatigue uniform, knapsacks, and overcoats rolled, with forty rounds of ammunition, for skirmish drill, on Saturday, May 19, at 1:50 p.m.
With ninety men and a drum and a bugle corps present, the line of march was taken up from the Armory via the transverse roadway through the Park to the 72nd Street station elevated railroad, where special cars conveyed us to Van Cortlandt.
Here knapsacks were unslung and placed in the Quartermaster's wagon and a skirmish line was thrown out and advanced in the direction of Yonkers.
After a two hours' tussle with mud, water, briars, stone walls, and barbwire fences and the discharge of 3,500 cartridges, the Company approached the outskirts of Yonkers. After a brief and welcome rest of fifteen minutes, the re- serve having in the meantime joined the main body, the Company broke into three platoons of twelve files each and marched to the Armory of the Fourth Separate Company, Captain John I. Pruyne commanding, who extended to it the hospitalities of their fine and commodious edifice.
At 8 o'clock the Company again assembled, this time with overcoats on, knap- sacks strapped to the back (the boys never looked finer or marched better), and proceeded to the station of the N.Y.C.&H.R.R.R., where a special conveyed it to New York. Up Fifth Avenue in three platoons till the Armory was reached finished a day which proved instructive, enjoyable and satisfactory to all.
C. E. W.
COMPANY I-JUNE 1888
Through the kindness and liberality of two members of this Company three prizes were offered to be competed for at Creedmoor during the present season.
The First Prize (known as the "Toujours Pret" Medal) will be shot for on the first day this Company is ordered to Creedmoor in each year until finally won under the following conditions:
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THE 1880's
Open to active members of this Company. Medal to be awarded to the man making the highest official score at 200 and 500 yards on that day, and to be held by the winner until the date of the competition the following year when it will be returned to the Company Commandant. The medal will become the property of the man winning it three years, not necessarily consecutive.
The Second Prize will be shot for under the following conditions:
Open to the active members of this Company who have shot at least one year at Creedmoor, but who have never made there more than 28 points out of 50, at 200 and 500 yards. The prize to become the property of the man making the highest official record at 200 and 500 yards on that day.
The Third Prize (to be known as the "Junior Medal") will be shot for as follows :
Open to active members of the Company who have never qualified at Creed- moor for the State Marksman's Badge. The medal to become the property of the man making the highest score at 200 and 500 yards during the season of 1888, either with the Regiment or in a National Rifle Association Match in which a man can qualify for the State Marksman's Badge.
The following men have earned places on the Company teams during the past season and have received the decoration: Corporals J. W. Cleveland, E. C. Denison, and Charles E. Warren; Privates W. A. Dennison, Guy Du Val, A. Hebbard, Jr., H. V. Keep, R. L. Major, C. F. Muller, L. W. McLeod, C. W. Smith, Jr., and I. K. Taylor.
We are about to welcome our Chaplain, the Rev. J. R. Paxton, to our ranks. After listening to his sermon to the Regiment, it occurred to a number of our men that our Chaplain having been a soldier in the ranks in days when it meant something to be a soldier, had not received a soldier's welcome from the "Rank and File" of the Regiment,-he had not felt the "7th touch of Elbow." Captain Harper appreciated the situation and he has invited Dr. Paxton to become an Honorary Member of the "Old Sunday School Company of Fort Federal Hill Days."
Dr. Paxton is a born solider-a leader of men par excellence and he never feels as happy as when in the company of soldiers.
A NEW RECORD
The drill season opened with a hurrah for us on Thursday, October 4, 1888, when First Sergeant Landon reported 3 officers, 6 sergeants, 451/2 files, and Corporal Denison's squad of 21/2 files present; total, 105 men, a record never beaten by this Company. It may interest our readers to know that on January 8, 1885, we turned out 105 men; February 26, 105 men, and March 5, 105 men; which broke all former records made by this Company to that date. Im- mediately after the drill the new portrait of Captain Casey was formally pre- sented to the Company. Details of the presentation will be found among regi- mental items.
-CORPORAL CHARLES E. WARREN
152
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
ATTENDANCE AT DRILL FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 1888
Oct.
Enlisted Men
Enlisted & Elected
Nov.
Enlisted Men
Enlisted & Elected
4
91
105
1
93
107
11
92
105
S
96
107
18
93
108
15
Inspection.
25
93
106
22
93
106
Have you seen the "tactical" formations this year, "in two ranks facing to the right"? They are a success, and immense improvement on the usual formations in the Armory, both as regards appearance and celerity. From the last beat of the drum at assembly until our "dapper little orderly" (see New York Herald) turns over the Company to the Captain, including the calling of the roll à la West Point (from memory), requires less than three minutes. Pretty quick work, is it not? The formation is Sergeant Landon's especial pride, and "we are all with you, Sergeant."
What has become of the Committee on the redecoration of our Company quarters? We are still stifling in our hot gallery, gentlemen, and are longing to hear from you. Don't be so modest, comrades. Give us the benefit of your combined taste.
Our athletes came to the front at the recent games in good shape, and our thanks are theirs. Private Moore captured second medal in the one thousand yards run, and will make it lively for the ambitious in the games to come. Private Jones wrested victory from numerous competitors in the one mile bicycle race, took second place in the half-mile run, and again proved his staying powers by securing second place in the two mile bicycle race. The spring game will see us improve still further, now that the ice is broken.
The Committee on the new play to be given by our "theatrical" talent next spring, report progress. The new play is by the author of "Katharine" and is to be a burlesque on "Faust," produced with due regard to the scenic effect, his- torically correct costumes, and a corps de ballet, before which Kiralfy's "Black Crook" will fade to insignificance. Seats in the orchestra, even at this early date, command high prices.
COMPANY I NOTES-1889
"Present for duty, 6 sergeants, 5012 files," so ran the report of our orderly as he faced Captain Harper on Thursday, December 27, and so with a total present of 110 men we wound up the drill season of '88. It was a gala night in every respect for us, for after drill we repaired to one of the squad drill rooms where a small platform had been erected and where for two mortal hours mirth and good fellowship reigned supreme. Our committee having the matter in charge had provided the inner man with frappéd coffee, sandwiches, cigars and-whisper-Punch !, and for our outward edification a band of "wandering minstrels" consisting of Brooks, the banjoist, Patterson and Carr, who regaled us with "McCarthy's Raffle," and "Did He Get There?" Reich, whose imper- sonations of footlight favorites were well done and whose realistic imitation
153
THE 1880's
of the manufacture of a "phiz" actually made us thirsty, and Mr. Edward Mack, of Thatcher, Primrose and West, who sang "Faces That You Meet With Every Day." If we may judge from the laughter and applause that greeted this gentleman's efforts, many of the "faces" were recognized by the boys.
Captain Harper requested an opinion from the Company regarding the appointment of a Corporal, vice Handy dropped, and on Tuesday, January 8, that opinion was expressed, resulting in the unanimous selection of Private H. V. Keep, who was thereupon appointed to fill the vacancy. The new ap- pointee invited the Company to meet him at the Manhattan and we went.
First Citizen-"What ails the Prince?"
Second Citizen-"Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort as if he mocked himself, and scorned his spirit that could be moved to smile at anything. Eighteen months ago he was fired with military ambition. He enlisted in the Ninth Company, 7th Regiment. All went well with the 'Prince.' He became expert in the manual. A short time since he received a letter signed 'Committee, per L.' stating that the committee had decided to present his name for the vacant Corporalcy and requesting him to appear before them at the Armory. Rumor has it, that a dinner and theater party were given up and faultlessly attired in fatigue uniform and with smile rivalling in brightness the polished brasses, he repaired to the Armory and waited, but like the letter celebrated in song, the committee 'never came.' 'The Prince' now construes the 'per L.' to mean 'per Liar.'"
We are pleased to state for the benefit of many inquiring friends that Ser- geant Clayton is slowly recovering from the effect of a severe chill contracted during the progress of the January meeting. The Sergeant introduced a resolu- tion relating to the adoption of the new State overcoat. The speaker felt the approaching blizzard as he proceeded, but heedless of consequences and un- mindful of the fact of his being in evening dress, manfully demonstrated the many advantages of the new coat. Result-a few skyrockets from ultra 7th Regiment men, and a vote resulting in two in the affirmative and, judging from sound, a thousand in the negative; evidently the State coat is not for us.
Comrade Chaplain Paxton will lecture on the "Assassination of Abraham Lincoln" at the February meeting. A full attendance is assured. Lieutenant Du Val assumed command of the Company on January 10 for drill. As an in- stance of how little chance subalterns have to show what's in them in this Regi- ment, we may state that in sixteen years' service in the Company this was Lieu- tenant Du Val's first attempt at drilling the Company, and it is to his credit to write the drill a thorough success.
The cast for the new play has been selected and rehearsals will soon com- mence. Three performances will be given early in April for various charities. Why could not one performance be given in aid of the redecoration of our Company quarters ?
Thursday, February 14, will be remembered in the shooting annals of the Company. We now show decided progress, as on the date the team entered for
154
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
the Abeel trophy broke the Company record for team shooting by four points, and Private R. L. Major made the highest single score made by a member of this Company this season, 67 out of a possible 70. The team stood fourth on the list, and as soon as some of the newer members got over their nervousness naturally attending anyone not accustomed to shooting in matches, there is no reason why we should not reach the top. There is good material in the Com- pany, and the Rifle Committee is doing its best to make the most of it.
-ARTHUR C. CLAYTON
THE TRIP TO WASHINGTON AND OTHER NINTH COMPANY NOTES-1889
Messrs. Major, Martin and Hoeber were responsible for the very pleasant dinner and theater party, participated in by twenty-six members of the Com- pany on the evening of Washington's Birthday. The dinner was decidedly a success and so, of course, was the performance at Daly's. The thanks of all who were there are expressed to the gentleman in charge, and a unanimous desire for another one.
Through the courtesy of Corporal Warren, we witnessed an amateur minstrel performance at the Berkley Lyceum on February 26, in which a detail drawn from the Second, Ninth and Tenth Companies took part, appearing in a sketch entitled "The Parade of the Charleston Grays." Uniformed in our full dress coat, single white cross-belt, white body-belt, white trousers and helmets with crimson plumes, they presented an appearance not to be forgotten by those lucky enough to see them.
Attached to the "Charleston Grays" was something in the way of a side show in the person of "Rosetta Vanastorbilt" described on the bills as the "Pride of the Grays"; the exact why and wherefore of this person's appearance was not stated, and the audience was left in entire ignorance as to whether "she" was intended as a brunette burlesque of Mrs. Potter's "Cleopatra," Kellar's latest wonder "Astarte," or an advertisement of the much talked of "Divided Skirt." Suffice it to say that after a careful, conscientious inspection, the reporters would suggest the abandonment of the aforesaid "Divided Skirt" lest at some future time the city authorities should seize and incarcerate her as being without visible means of support.
The following was brought to us from Washington: "Yes!" remarked our genial First, as he sank languidly into his seat after the parade, "Washington is a beautiful city, but I prefer Brooklyn." "Why so, Harry?" queried old grandpa from his snug corner, where he reposed, placidly puffing on the inevitable cigarette. "Oh! Brooklyn is so splendidly laid out you know," returned Harry. Grandpa smiled, blew a cloud of smoke into the atmosphere, and gently mur- mured, "Well, Harry, when New York is as dead as Brooklyn we'll try and lay it out even better." This is repartee.
Still another promotion from the ranks of "I." This time the mantle falls on the shoulders of ex-Private Walter G. Owen, who goes to the 12th Regiment
155
THE 1880's
as Inspector of Rifle Practice with rank of Captain. And our old comrade, Charles Jessop, has been appointed Adjutant, in the same Regiment. Who next?
Now that the Washington trip, with its blaze of glory a little dampened by an unwelcomed drizzle, has become a thing of the past, it is very easy to say what things should, and what things should not have been, but taking it "by and large" and considering the unlooked for difficulties that harassed our officers in the performance of their duties, the trip was a pronounced success as far as it was possible for human efforts to make it one. One feature that stood out above all others was the unalterable determination to let nothing interfere with the "good time" part of the excursion; here and there a few grumblers stood alone, but the rank and file were bound to make the best of things, and there were plenty of things found to laugh at. Talking with General Robbins the other night, he said that when the Regiment returned from Washington in '63, it took two days and three nights to make the trip; that most of the way it was made in box cars that had been used for cattle, some of which had not even been cleaned, but had only a little straw thrown on the bottom, and yet in spite of the rain in which they started and the hundreds of other unavoidable dis- comforts of the journey; the men showed the same jolly spirit that they did at the Inauguration and took fortune's buffets and rewards with equal thanks. There is no question but that no matter under what circumstances you take the 7th, it is always the same.
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