Evening star., 1898-09-07
Committee Arranging for Reception
to District Regiment.
REPORTS OF TIE SUBCOMMlTTEEO
Breakfast to Be Served Upon Ar
rival of the Command.
He VARIOUS DETAILS

ment, although as Maj. Sylvester explain
ed, the early return of the command will
hardly permit of the elaborate reception
which the committee had first outlined.
Last evenings meeting of the committee
was held in the red parlor of the Ebbitt
House, and a good attendance was present
when Chairman Sylvester called the meet
ing to order. He read a telegram from Col.
Harries to the effect that the regiment will
arrive here Friday morning in time to
breakfast at o'clock, and the announce
ment was received by the committee with
approval. 1t is estimated that the regi-
ment will occupy about an hour at
breakfast, which will be served on the
south side of Virginia avenue. 1t will then
be ready to proceed along the line of
march.
The death of Private Gaskins mentioned
in yesterdays Star, was referred to by Maj.
Sylvester, who stated that the dead soldier
mad no relatives here, but number of
friends, who had promised to the body
properly buried. He had, therefore, direct
ed that the remains be sent to Washington
and had pledged the committee for pay
ment OF the expenses, if the government
did not. His action was approved He
then stated that he has made arrange
ments with the local hospitals to receive
1or care and treatment such members of
the regiment as may be found upon their
X
said, will receive 10 men; Garfield, 10
treedmens s, 20; Homeopathic, 6; George
town University, 15, and the Central Union
Mission % or 30.
Police ambulances will be in readiness to
take sick men to their homes or to hos
pitals, continued Maj Sylvester so that
there will be no trouble in getting the men
properly and Immediately cared for. Upon
the motion of Mr.. H. L. West, the chair
man was directed to wire Col. Harries as
to the exact number of his sick and as to
the number of men who will have no homes
to go to upon their arrival here.
Committees Visit to MOntauk.
Maj. Sylvester next made report as to
the visit of Messrs. Theodore W. Noyes and
H L. West and himself to Col Harries last
Sunday, the details of which visit have
been published in The Star. He said:
I'VE called upon the adjutant general who
informed US that the matter of the return
OF the regiment had been left in the hands
of Gen. Wheeler and Col Harries and after
learning this fact the committee deemed
1t advisable to proceed to Montauk Point
and learn the disposition of these officers.
We reached the camp at l o'clock OH Sun
day and found Col. Harries ready to confer
with US about the return Of the troops.
I asked what he proposed to do. He said
that ne would be glad to have an escort,
and 1t seemed to give him a great deal of
pleasure to know that the people of this
city were desirous of giving the regiment
q welcome He said that he would agree
to make the date of the return of the regi-
ment the 18th instead of the 9th. When
asked If such a change would cause any
embarrassment he left the impression that
II death disease and disaster befell the
troops responsibility for 1t would fall on
the citizens and the committee which we
did not care to bear.
He showed very emphatic reports by the
medical officers, which stated that If the
men remained longer than the appointed
sponsible for the preservation of their
health. l also talked with the officers
They were quite emphatic in telling US that
they were homesick.
The men had no cots, and there was TO
flooring in their tents, some lying on their
faces and arms, as well as on commissary
stores. The officers seemed to be in first
class condition, and, with the exception of
one or two men, all seemed to be in first
class Spirits except when the word home
was spoken. Then men who are capable
of coming home, as well as the sick show
the hardships they have undergone They
nave lost flesh and great deal of weight.
Col. Harries' clothes are twice too big for
him"
Report Approved.
His associates ON the committee express
ed their approval of the report, Mr.. West
emphasizing the fact that the committee
had not gone to Montauk to compel the
boys to remain longer against their wishes,
but simply to ascertain the facts in the
case The report was approved by the
committee
Maj. Sylvester stated that Col May of
the District National Guard had Informed
him that the guard will be ordered out to
receive the returning regiment He also
introduced Col. Calvin Farnsworth of the
Department of the Potomac, G, A R., who
In the absence of Department Commander
Hendricks will have charge of the organ
ization. Col. Farnsworth explained that
the G. A. r. will participate in the recep-
tton. and also other similar organizations,
to be headed by the Mt Pleasant Band
and Drum Corps. Mr.. J. C. Churchill, the
director of the latter body was present,
explaining that he was directed by the
boys to offer their services to the commit
tee, an offer which the committee accepted
with gratitude.
The Labor Bodies.
Mr.. Edwin c. Jones. chairman of the COM
mittee on labor organizations, stated that
a number of these bodies have signified an
intention to participate in the reception as
a part of the escorting organizations, and
upon his motion committee of three, of
which the chairman shall be a member.
was appointed to visit the President and
request that those employees of the execu-
tive departments and the government print
ing office who desire to take part in the
reception to the 1st District of Columbia
Volunteers be excused, in order that a fit
ting reception be rendered to our volunteer
soldiers upon their return to the city
Mr.. John Joy Edison, chairman of the
finance committee and treasurer reported
that the contributions SO far received
amounted to S2,630-50, and that they are
coming in at very satisfactory rate
These contributions, explained Mr. Edison
are steadily increasing, as the people real
ize that but small proportion of the
amount received will be required to meet
the expenses of the committee, and that the
remainder, which will be quite a consider
able amount, Will be distributed among
those men and families needing assistance
But few of the departments and banks have
yet been heard from, said Mr. Edison, and
their contributions will swell the fund con-
siderably.
The florists of the District, reported Mr..
j. Henry Small, chairman of the committee
on flowers. have responded nobIy and
stand ready to contribute flowers and
wreaths as the committee may deem prop
er. Small bouquets for the guns and
wreaths will be presented to the men, said
Mr.. Small, and the committee will have
meeting this efternoon at the National
Rifles Hall at o'clock to arrange the de-
tails. the committee to remain intact until
after the presentation OF the medals next
month.
The Refreshments.
Mr. Allison Nailor of the committee on
refreshments, reported that the committee
has closed Il contract gor furnishing a