National Guard and Blues.
The Provisional battalion, which was commanded by
Captain Sol. Cutchins, was preceded by the Blues' Band, which rendered beautiful music as the procession moved along the route.
Company C, of the District of Columbia National Guard, of
Washington, was one of the finest-looking organizations in the command.
The officers were
Captain George E. Pickett,
First-Lieutenant E. D. Smoot, and
Second-Lieutenant Underwood.
There were twelve non-commissioned officers and thirty-five privates, making a total of fifty men.
[
359]
The Huntington Rifles, of Newport News, were commanded by
Captain G. W. Fitchett and
Lieutenants R. G. Hughes and
J. E. Williams. Six non-commissioned officers and thirty-six privates were in line, making a total of forty-two men.
The Richmond Light Infantry Blues, under command of
Lieutenant Clarence Wyatt, paraded fifty-six men, and appeared in the pink of condition.
The other officers were
Lieutenant William B. Pizzini,
Lieutenant E. T. Baker (surgeon),
First-Sergeant George Guy,
Orderly-
Sergeant Frank Steel,
Sergeant G. B. Mountcastle (leader of the band), and La Rue Grove,
drum-major.
The latter attracted considerable attention by the skilful manner in which he twirled the baton.