Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-14
THE ROAMING RIFLES.
Our Gallant Soldier Boys i'm the West.


rRIUNPHs WON IN CHICAGO AND BURLINGTON
PRAISE BESTOWED UPON THEM FOR THEIR
MATcHLEss DRILLING-MR. HATToN AND MR..
CoNGER MAKE BRIEF sPEECHEs-INCIDENTs
OF THE EXPEDITION.
Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR
BURLINGTON, Iowa. June 10, 1SS4.-Yester-
day the Rifles ranged about Chicago seeing
pretty much all that was to be seen. In the
afternoon the company formed and marched to
the office of the Chicago, Burlington il Quincy
railroad and serenaded the officials of that road
to whom they are indebted for many courtesies.
Mr.. Stone. the general superintendent of the
road. made short and very complimentary
address to the boys and Ned Hay happily
responded on the part of the Rifles. The COM
mand then proceeded to the Grand Pacific
hotel and serenaded Frank Hatton, assistant
postmaster general. Ned Hay officiated and
Mr. Hatton responded incidentally remarking
that he had just come out of five days fight.
and that he was a little battered up. but was
fast recuperating. and hoped soon to be off the
sick list. Mr. Frank COnger. our city post
master. was present, and spoke briefly. He
said: Gentlemen, Perry beat me-"
AN EXHIBITION DRILL.
At night, at the request of the LIST regiment,
an exhibition drill was given. large crowd
monstrations of delight at the almost absolute
perfection OF the drill. Col Knox. the colonel
of the regiment. and formerly a member of the
Ellsworth Zouaves said to me that he had seen
many famous companies drill. bnt never one
that equaled the Rifles in perfection of detail.
He asked to have the order 80 fire by file' re-
peated. and then the crowd insisted on still
another repetition of the command. The Chi
cago papers all speak in high praise of the COM
pany and OF the demeanOr OF its members while
i'll their city.
THE RECEPTION AT BURLINGTON.
At $50, escorted by companies and E, the
command marched to the depot and took their
special tor Burlington. We reached here early
this morning, and were met by the Burlington
Boating association, who at once took charge
of the red coats. Their hospitality has been
boundless The party first marched to the boat
house, stacked their arms and proceeded to
breakfast. They were entertained at the Cor
ham house and the Barrett house. The boat
house was thrown open to the party, and the
whole city seemed to unite in doing honor to
the Rifles. Each member was taken charge of
by citizens and everything made pleasant for
him. Parties visited the various points of inter-
est In the city in the morning, and in the after
noon dress parade and drill was given in the
presence of an immense crowd, who were en-
thusiastic in the highest degree although one
elderly maiden asserted that she had seen a
company in ''Iurrup" who were as good. This
statement was received by the lockers on with
scorn. and the dOubter of the Rifles superiority
subsidized. After the drill the company marched
to the very handsome opera house. and were
formally received by Mayor Adams. Lieut.. Ovs-
ter responded handsomely for the command
Messrs. Hedges, Hay, Hatton. and COrkhill also
spoke. Immediately after the proceedings the
regatta took place. during which time the Boat
Club Association band, consisting of twenty-five
young gentlemen. members OF the club, PLAYED
several selections very well. The races were
Interesting. the boys getting very enthusiastic
over the different contestants Following the
races Mr.. Frank Hatton and Mayor Adams were
serenaded, and responded in suitable speeches
Tonight reception and hop is in progress, and
is very successful. 1t is not ascertained how
many of the boys have lost their hearts to the
fair burlington girls, but the number is supposed
to be quite large. The visit to Burlington has
been in every way delightful, and if it is a speci-
men of those to come the trip is going to be
greater success than the most sangune have
anticipated
RELIC OF THE CONVENTION.
At Chicago a number of the travellers visited
the Exposition building and while discuss
ING the figure the District delegates cut
In the convention lately held there, one of the
party picked up printed ballot Slip and on the
back OF it was written q resolution to the effect
that it was the sense of the convention that Mr..
Z. II. Carson should be recognized as the men,
Der OF the national committee from the District
OF Columbia. Mr.. Conger, however, was spared
this thrust.
NOTES.
The boys are very much pleased with Lieut..
Oyster as commanding officer. They have all
confidence in him and arein bigh,spirit s."nn at'H
Jim, the Mascot" is along again and pre-
serves his usual modest demeanor. notwith-
standing he is almost worshiped by those who
see him drill along the route.
Frank f1attOn has been indefatigable in work
ing for the entertainment OF the Rifles and the
boys are greatly indebted to him. Hatton takes
his defeat at Chicago phllosophcally. He thinks
the kicking against Blaine Is only temporary
and says: Certainly every man In the republ-
can party can have his own way, and | suppose
there Is no reason that we should not be the
disappointed ones" He accompanied the COM
pany to Burlington and devoted himself to them
to-day. He says he thinks he is the only corpse
who left Chicago with military escort.
Mr.. Fred Bracket is now conducting the
party and Is doing 1t well. +. B. n.