Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-06-12
(For the Herald)
Anderson Guards.


k1sSsaSA uili Ns'
Mr.. EDITOs:-
Ihave no doubt that the
citizens sf ssr town would like to have
an account Of the doings of our boys il
Winchester on the occasion Of decora
ting the Confederate graves on the 9th
inst, and having been an eyewitness u
the whole performance, volunteer my
services. 1t being the first trip OF oul
boys to q place where there would be
50 many spectators, they were naturally
nervous and excited before starting, so
that in preliminary drill before taking
the train an old soldier with experience
ed eye might have seen some strange
manoeuvers. For instance at the COM
mand fright wheel" some went left
and some right" fright face" same
contradiction, etc., etc., Imagine II you
can, the Captains feelings, seeing all
his training thus forgotten in moment.
1t cast a sadness over his countenance.
In this agitation they mounted the train,
and found on board the jolly Harrison
burgers. The train consisted of about II
cars. all crowded with passengers.
Dashing along thro' clean fields ofcorn
and of waving wheat, breathing fresh
air, and enjoying various converse re-
stored their calmness, and nerved them
for the trail. They were received at the
Depot by the W. Light Infantry and a
large concourse Of citizens, and the three
companies marched directly to the Court
House to the sound of martial music,
from the bands. Not n fellow OF
them, made a balk; their carriage was
erect, and step, firm and measured.
When they ordered arms in the Court
House yard their guns came down as
one and even John Jacob, and Gum"
H. forgot to hit their BIZ toes. Alter a
short rest they marched upstairs in
the Court House, were welcomed in an
appropriate speech by the Mayor. and
then entertained with most tasty lunch.
Y on know too well the capacity Of cur
boys in this line for me to say anything
as TO their action here. They fought
Ike tigers. After luncheon and a short
rest they marched to the cemcter' ,
crowdsof spectators lining the streets
and filing the windows. They received
many compliments on the march. At
the c,nCNl salute WAS fired by the
other companies. The boys were allowed
time to look at the handsome dccora-
tons, and then the march for the Courl
House. was resumed. Here they stack
ed arms and then marched around To the
Har! Hotel for dinner. Many who saw
this march said they never had seen
such activity displayed. Iith0se persons
had only seen the boys hali-hour later
seated around the tables at the Harl
Hotel they would certainly have assign
ed the palm to the latter performance,
They had an excellent meal of every
thing the city markets afford, served
in the best style and most courte
ously. However, they must have heard
of the unfortunate adventure of some o.
our boys with pies Oh former occasion
Not a pie lcaS TO be seen on the tables
If there had been PIES there IN sufficient
number and Of the same quality as Ihr
other fare, Woodstock would now be
mourning some Of her favoritc sons.
They cannot resist pies. After dinner the
the boys were allowed 10 see the town
which they did to their satisfaction by
tramping up one street and down an
other, some eating ice-cream, drinking
soda water and other light beverages
smoking cigars ETC., all free Of charge
until CD CLOCK p. N. when they as
sembled at the Court House and with
other companies marched to the Depot
On this march one poor fellow burst h.l
belt. He tried not to do it and to com
| promise the matter, but the hospital {
dinner within him would not compro-
mise; so something had to burst and the
belt did ii. This was the only accident
except that several fellows left thei
hearts behind them; this they could wei
do, as it left them more room for din
ner. At the Depot, after thanks ha'
been returned. by a member ofthe com
pany to the W. L. /. for their hosplta
ty, the .journny home began, and
- clock was ended. What especial
characterized this occasion was the ali
sence OF all gush and mock sentlmen
and the presence Of genuine, lree-heart-
I'd hospitality, which was appreciated
in becoming manner by our boys, and
50 far as | can learn, not at all abused
r. think that we can safely rely on tn
good behavior Of our boys when ava.
from home.