Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-10-30
H F RETURN.
A Mag nlfIoent Reception and
Happy Boys.

Happy Boys.
Owing to delays caused by the
change of gauge on the V. & N. rail-
road, the special train with the Rifles
and their guests did not arrive until
1870 pm. yesterday. The train was
expected to arrive at 8 a.m. and a
large crowd gathered at the depot at
that hour to meet them kilograms
were received shortly aiterward to the
effect that the train would not arrive
until about IL o'clock but the
crowd waited patiently and instead Of
diminishing continually increased.
The fairest Of the society bellies were
there, and mothers and sisters and
s~weethearts were watching the mo-
ments pass that were bringing their
boys home to them. The deadly
Sweet SWeepers were out in force and
surveyed the crowd with the air of
cool superiority which veteran soldiers
always display towards the peaceful
citizen. At l o'clock the hillsides
above the depot were covered
with people and the crowd along
the tracks became a perfect jam.
When the train came around the curve
and the boys appeared on the platforms
the crowd gave a big cheer and made a
rush for them. The Firemen's Silver
Comet Band were the first to get off
and they were quickly followed by the
Rifles and the Southrons. Everybody
shook hands and congratulated every
body else, and the ladies crowded
around the boys and kissed them and
hung bouquets and baskets of flowers
on their guns, and carried on so that
Sergeant Marshall could hardly find
space to form his company. 1t was final
ly done, however, and the procession
started off with the Firemen's Cornet
Band in front, followed by two sets Of
fours of the Volunteer Southrons, the
rest having stayed over at Aberdeen,
and after them came the Rifles, follow
ed by the crowd which lined both sides
of the street. The parade down Wash
ington street vas a perfect ovation
and the crowd cheered the boys, who
looked radiant and happy and in spite
of the fatigue of the trip, they stepped
as lightly as if they were going to a
wedding instead Of coming from a hard
ordeal. The band halted at the
corner of Clay street and
the Rifles escorted the vic
torious Southrons to their armory
and presented arms and then counter
marched to their armory which was
crowded with their friends. There
they received another ovation and
three cheers were given for A. G. Till
man, the champion soldier Of the
State, three more for Ed Shaw, the
winner of the medal for inspection,
and three big ones for the Volunteer
Southrons and the citizens Of Vicks'
burg. The armory was eXquisitely
decorated with old gold, red and blue
banners and streamers, the guns were
covered with ribbons, and A G. Till
mans picture was Wreathed in flowers
on each post. Two immense U. s
flags hung at each end Of the hal
the kind offering of Capt. Starr
of the United States snagbost John r
Meigs. The decorations were simple
exquisite, and the whole was done by
that big-hearted gentleman Mr.. R. W
Conway. The flowers presented by
their friends were placed along the hal
and filled it from side to side. Among
the offerings we noticed beautiful.
bouquets and baskets from Mise:
Smarr, Quin, Mary Adams, Minnie
Plat, Fannie Cook, Essie Mayer, and
number of others, with basket OF
basket from the Sweet Sweepers. Mis-
Irene McCardle sent a perfectly beau
/, tiful broom, made entirely Of flowers
The boys were overwhelmed with
their reception, and said it wa
entirely unexpected. All they
+. had to say was they ha(
done their best and were satisfied il
l the citizens approved it. The boys say
q they never met with such hospitality
! in their lives as they received at Aber
q deem. They say the town is beautiful
and the citizens were untiring in theil
q attentions to them. Capt. Jane:
n Dinkins took charge Of them upoI
their arrival, and treated them as il
4 they were his own company, giving
! them valuable points in regard to tn,
drill, and assisting them in every way
q in his power. They think he is the fin
est gentleman they ever saw as we'll al
being gallant soldier. They decline tt
talk about their sponsor and her maids
of honor. They say it is impossible tt
: describe them. One Of them said shl
= was as smart as a steel trap, alothe,
said she was the pluckiest girl the,
eve saw, another said, she was a Mas
D cote, another said she was awfully be
Q witching, and they all said she wa
9 beautiful. The boys say their recep
tion by their sponsor and her maidI
was simply elegant.
e Capt. Marshall presented the color
e TO Miss Mary Lou Green, who reptile,
in the following lovely speech: "Beg
ging your sympathy for bashful maid
ems in such an effort we would say tt
the Vicksburg Rifles that first of all W,
d extend you a most hearty welcome. A
sponsors we give you our sincere thank
9 for the honoring confidence bestowed
6 upon US. Though many of III hay,