San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-29
HOW THEY FEASTED.

tertained by Appreciative Citizens.
In accordance with the programme
published in the LIGHT yesterday, tn
members OF the Belknap Rifles Assem-
bled at their armOry about 3 o'clock ant
attired themselves in fatigue uniform.
As soon as the boys were dressed the,
fell in" and Captain Rote put then
through some OF the manual exercises
which were, In all cases, precisely ant
efficiently done. Soon after the sixth
hour had chimed, the men were passed
Down stairs. and preceded by the Eight
Cavalry band, marched to the armory Of
the San Antonio Rifles. On arriving
there the band opened ranks and the
Belknaps passed through, and forminG
single file, faced round and saluted
After some little delay, the San AntO,
MOS, attired in fatigue suits, joined the
procession and marched in the following
order:
Eighth Cavalry band.
Belknap Rifles with stars and stripes.
The delegation" lin hack, consisting
of w. ii. Story, j. J. Minter, w. II.
Cooley, NJ. EckhOltz, who supported
and backed the San Antonios at Lam
| pasas.
The San Antonio Rifles with banner
Citizens in hacks, etc, etc.
Il it Allt VI ualNu was tlOueAOu ElTttl
to SOledad street, thence down Main
street, and by Alamo street to the Mis-
sion garden. On the way the party
were cheered and received by the enthu-
siastiC waving OF hats and handkerOhiefs.
Above all was often heard that fOrmid-
able cry, the Texas yell.
When the troops arrived at Mission
| garden, large crowd was gathered in
| the triangular plaza and oil the side
walks, TO receive them. The sth cav
airy band fell back, and the gallant
Belknaps allowed their guests, the San
Antonio Rifles, 10 file in and occupy the
post OF honor. The Belknaps then fol-
lowed and the band occupied the stage
which had been nicely cleared for them.
After the Rifles, some prominent clti-
zens, who had helped to arrange for the
banquet, and the speakers for the occa-
sion. AS the banquet had not quite been
finished by mine Host Mahncke in all
its details. the order to break ranks was
given the ritlemen and they chose favor
able positions about the garden and
rested until the banquet was announced
ready. After all were seated. the San
Antonio Rifles, occupying one long table
running north and south the entire
length of the garden, with Capt. Badger
at the head of the table, and the Bel
knaps parallel table with Captain
ROte at the head, Colonel McLeary,
the orator OF the occasion. arose and de-
livsred a written address, full OF praise
to the winners Of the first prize at the
Lampasas state encampment. To this
Colonel Ii. b. Andrews made very APP
prOpriate response on behalf of the Bel.
KNAPP Rifles, and concluded with a
humorous poem that cOnVulsed the boys
with laughter.
When the militia and their guests had
partaken Of the choice viands set before
them and washed it down with liberal
supply of wine the party was ready for
eloquenCe, and there were loud cries for
1.-THE delegation" and Cooley"
Mr.. Cooley rose and said he appre-
ciated the compliment and was proud
of the cOmpany's victory. Their hearts
and pockets were open to the boys. "a
voice, "Where did you swallow that?'')
Laughter. The company had done
their part on the field and on the carpet,
to military music and to the lascivious
blessings Of the lutte. He wished the
San Antonio boys success at Galveston.
In reply to Riley GOrdOn's toast, the
coming Scurry, Captain Badger. that
gentleman thanked the citizens for the
compliment, paid high tribute to his
men, and declared them willing to serve
the public on all occasions.
The San AntoniO's then toasted the
Belknaps, and Captain ROte was called
upon to respond. After some hesitation
he arose and pleaded that he was bash
full man. On occasions like this it was
pleasant to have friends around and to
hear sweet things. He extended a well
come to all. Then he added, II guess"
Here the fount of eloquence gave out,
and what he guessed is one of the mys-
| tic problems OF the day.
| Ryder-TaylOr was then called for and
made few pertinent remarks. He was
followed by Major Cresson, who claimed
to be no spokesman, but got in his
work, and by Major SOmner, who saw
| the drill at Lampasas, and paid great
compliment to the boys for efficiency.
The adiutant Of the day, Lieutenant
w. II. Hertz, was then called for, but
was silent. Then Captain Badger read
the following letter from Colonel Bel
KNAPP:
san ANTONIO STREET RAILROAD,
| June %, 1856.
My dear boys" Words would be idle to ex-
press my qualification at your success at Lam
pasas.
| Action will speak louder than words, and If
you will furnish me with the names of your
team and accept the same from your friend,
| will gladly give each an appropriate medal to
commemorate this event, and keep IL always
to memory dear.
Your well-wisher and friend
A. BELKNAP.
The reading Of this letter was received
with great cheering, which lasted for
several minutes.
Mr.. W. Ferguson told how careful the
| Spartans we're about their shields. When
| a Spartan mother gave her boy his shield
she said, Either this or upon it," The
boys" had brought back their shields
wreathed with victory.
| War Correspondent Barnes regretted
he could not go with the boys to Lam
| pasas. When he accompanied them to
the ''siege of Laredo" he got two weeks
illness, and II he had gone TO Lampasas.
there's no telling how long he would
have been laid up. II was worth going
to Lampasas, If only to see Perry Lewis
Waiting with the ladies'.
| Mr.. McLeary toasted the citizen SOL
diers, and said that as words were cheap,
as Colonel Belknap told them, he would
| like the citizens to show their apprecia-
tion by deeds, and he suggested the
building Of an armory for the boys.
Mr.. John j. Stevens was proud of the
boys and pleased at their conduct. "God
bless Them" he added, with great en-
phasis.
Mr.. A. G. Schryver said he came to
feed and as he sat down he was too full
for utterance. (Laughter.)
MIR. Frank Bushi"k began by saying,
Ladies and gentlemen" daughter and
| 81 al hi La nj.