The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-24
THE BLUES HAVE RETURNED,
They Tell Of insufficient Accommodations
at Lexington.
THEIR VISIT TO THE NATURAL BRIDGE
a Strong Pressure wss Brought to Bear to
Induce Them to Remsin Longer-Not
Girls. But Grass widows.
4 hall. mast s o'clock yesterday morning a

Al half past 8 o'clock yesterday morning a
special train Of two cars pulled into the Allie
rhany depot on Eighth street, bringing the
Richmond Light Infantry Blues and their
hand safely back from Natural Bridge. The
day spent by the company at this well-known
resort was greatly enjoyed by all especially
after the numerous hardships suffered the
previous day during the unwilling ceremonies
at Lexington. ~ A.
| While IL is acknowledged by all that the
residents of Lexington and vicinity did all IN
! tbeir mower to make the visitors feel as
comfortable as possible. there is only one
opinion prevailing among those who were IN
attendance on last Tuesday, that they Will NOT
likely again leave home for similar occasion
and under similar circumstances ESehsS
| have proven that the arrangements Tor
proper reception of the visiting organizations
were entirely insufficient.
When the Second Virginia regiment ar
| rived ut Lexington early IN the evening OF
| July goth they were directed to the barracks
| of the Virginia Military Institute. No cots or
| other accommodations we're offered 10 them
and the men had 10 sleep on the bare floor
Some of them had brought blankets with
| them while others even had to- do without ms
luxury No supper was provided tor the men,
| nor did they receive breakfast the next morn
| ING. but had to shift for themselves the best
they could. The only meal which was fur
nished TO them was q cold lunch in the after
noon Of the 2lst, after the parade had been
dismissed.
OLD-TISfE REPUTATION.
The regiment made a very fine military
! appearance during the parade and 1t shared
the honors of the day with the Richmond
| Light Infantry Blues. The latter upheld
their old-tlme reputation as 20 sOldlery
| bearing and gentlemanly behavior and wher
ever thew went they received unanimous
| praise for their conduct. The absence OF lie
| First regiment on the occasion Of the unyell-
| ing Of General JacksOns monument was very
| strongly commented on by many prominent
| people and the fact that the encalnpment at
| Wrightsyille had been planned before the
date for the unyeiling had been fixed was not
considered as q sufficient reason for their
| sighting the ceremonies at Lexington
Lee Camp had to experience very nearly as
| much hardship as any other organization.
However, they had one advantage over al the
rest in carrying with them reireshment car
where the members could buy provisions at
very low prices at almost any time. Tho
members OF the camp had been DESTROYS TO
| 20 10 Natural Bridge the same evening. tut
for fear that they could not ind the necessary
accommodations they decided % spend the
night in Lexington. where they slept IN the
. i sunday hcQool IoQlu Oh JAZZ Hol Cliui Gil l. uo
camp however, practically broke ranks I'M
mediately after the unyelling Of the moru-
ment. Since then every hOmeward-bound
train carried groups of the veterans back 10
| Richmond.
FOR THE BRIDGE.
About forty members of Lee Camp started
for Natural Bridge the next morning about 9
o'clock, but it took fully four hours before
they reached their destination. They were III
command of Colonel William F. Smith, VINO
was ably assisted by Captain j. Taylor STRAIT
ton the adjutant.
| Unlike their experience at Rockbrdge
Alum Springs last summer, where II had
taken them from two to three days to feel az
home, the Blues were very agreeably
surprised by the warm and cordial
reception which they received at the
hotel at Natural Bridge. Although long
after midnight when the hotel was reached,
many of the guests stood on the several
pOrches awaiting the Richmond boys. Pleas
ant quarters were IN readiness IN two OF the
cottages above the hotel and it did not re-
Quire great deal of coa1Ing TO get the fired
out soldiers T. indulge in a good nights rest.
During tho whole day Of the stay OF the
Blues great deal Of persuasion was brought
ont by the hotel people and guests 20
induce the company 10 spend another nlgnt
~ the summer resort Many of the men
were perfectly willing 10 do 81, and 1T one
time il actually looked as if the programme
would be changed % that effect only four
memo ers declaring that they we're compelled
to return home that evening.
80 GERMAN.
In view Of this aspect arrangements had
been made for grand german 20 be gwen ut
tho dancing pavilion that evening. ana quite
a number Of people came over from LeKinR-
ton 10 participate in the dance. The mem
bers Of Lee Camp taking 1t for granted that
the Blues would stay over decided on their
part not 10 leave Natural Bridge until yester-
day morning Captain Sol. Cutchins, OF the
Blues did not take any action IN tue
matter, but called meeting Of The
company for r +. NJ. At that time he ex-
planned the situation in an impartial and dis
interested manner, and stated that every
member should know best himself how 20 de-
eide the question. He then asked all those
who were DESTROYS g. stay over another night
10 step forward Only thirteen members re-
sponded TO the request. Captain Cutchins al
nounced that the company would leave that
| evening.
The disappointment caused by this action
| WAS very great IN some quarters. while others
did not seem 20 be very greatly dl7tressed
over the sudden and unexpected turn Whicn
matters had taken. Among the latter class
was a certain well-known sergeant and a phi
yate who at first glance has q rather bashtul
appearance. Both had originally been very
much in favor of prolonged stay, and they
seemed TO De prompted 10 luls AcIlou DY VIC hh-
| Effectiveness Of couple Of young ladies whom
thew had been seen with a great deal during
the best part Of the day Suddenly however,
their interest somewhat decreased. and It WAS
learned afterwards that the fact might have
had something to do with their change OF
mind: that they had been paying attentions u
two grass-widows instead Of. as they supposed
two charming young girls.
FOR HOME.
At o'clock on Wednesday evening the
Blues and their band assembled in front OF
the hotel, where the members OF Lee Camp
were drawn up in line 10 exchange cheers
with the Blues Ten minutes later the Blue.
were Oh their march 10 the depot which was
reached within forty-fye minutes. The train
was due at $40. but it was long after il
! o'clock before the train came IN sight. II
consisted Of one engine baggage car and one
passenger coach About $50 people had
10 be crowded into that train. but it was only
for IA short distance. when two special cars
were attached for the Blues. On account OF
the delay the Blues did not'expect 10 reach
this city before 10 o'clock yesterday morning
At Lynchburg. however. they were switched
OF. aud on special train carried TO Richmond
Il ...o, xao.Ia1 b.- an O'Clock vaafarda y