The Evening critic., 1884-06-24
THE SOLDIERS, RETURN.

The National Rifles. After an ABB
sence OF Two Weeks, Return In u
Blaze of Glory and are GenerOusiy
Received by the Washington
Public.
Tho thoroughfares leading to tho d. h p.
Depot presented gala appearance last even.
ing, where an immense concourse OF the
friends OF the National Rifles had assembled
10 bid them ''welcome home." The expectant
crowd did not have TO walt very long, the
Rifles special train arriving promptly at 8 ;d5
o'clock. About one hundred honorary mem
bers proceeded to the platform, andtho COM
pany was received by n committee consisting
OF j. l.. Burkhart, II. f. Danfortn and oorbit
Bacon.
Tho District militia was out in full force TO
participate in the escort, which was formed 10
the following order. Washington Light In-
fantry, Washington Oontinentals, Union
Veteran Corps, "Old Guard" Union veteran
Cadets, Corcoran Cadets, Union Veteran Corps,
erans; Company d, Capital City Guards, Ma
tional Rines' Cadets and the honorary Nom.
bers OF the Rifles, numbering one hundred and
nfty. The Rifles followed with Ninety men,
headed by the weccacoe Band, OF Pniiadei-
phia.
The line OF march was Pennsylvania ave.
nue.. TO Seventh street, to New York avenue,
to Fifteenth street, TO Pennsylvania avenue, TO
Ninth street, TO q street to the armory. All
along the line the Rides were vigorously
cheered, and were greeted at every point with
pyrotechnic display.
At the ArmOry
about 800 guests were gathered, aud the
Rifles, alter disposing OF their accoutrements,
marched into the main nall, where they re.
ceived an ovation. X. +. Danforth delivered
the address OF welcome, Lieutenant j. r.
Oyster responded briefly and Introduced quar-
teimaster E. u. Hay, who In happy speech
gave an outline OF the trip, aud closed by
thanking the citizens for their enthusiastic
reception. The company thon repaired to the
drill hall and partook OF the refreshments fur.
nished by Mr.. Ed Abner, after which thoy
were dismissed.
Those Lost Prizes.
Lieutenant Hay, In his address, speaking OF
the competitive drills, said: "rhe National
Rifies, In the unanimous opinion of the citl.
zens and the very men with whom they COM
peted, were entitled to the first prize Ia the
Minneapolis drill. And though 1t may be
hard TO drill against good company, II is
harder still TO drill against the biased opinion
OF three Judges"
The Preliminary Arrangements.
Telegrans received on Saturday stated thai
the Rifles would arrive on Sunday, 80 all
thought OF q reception was given up. The
telegram was corrected, and meeting Of the
honorary members called for Monday morn
Ing. The meeting was held in the ONCE Of O
A. Neale, Lenox building. An executive com
mittee, consisting OF Messrs. Burkhart, Dan
forth, Addison, Burbridge, Hardness, Holms
Neale, Fonda and Bacon, was appointed, anC
upon these gentlemen, In a great measure, die
the success Of the reception depeud.
Notes.
The weccocoe Band left for Philadelphia
last night at IL o'clock.
Lieutenant Oyster was the recipient Of tw'
handsome floral pieces last evening at tn,
armory.
The order OF Major Dye forbldding the use o
rockets and bombs greatly interfered witt
what would have been grand pyrotechni
display.
The only accident OF the trip was the case o
Private II. V. Wurdemnn, who had his han,
badly shot in the Dubuque sham battle.