Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-10

Fitz. Lee Rifles is new organization
and has not been uniformed or equipped
The men were very much averse to going
through the streets in marching order,
and though Lieutenant Clark went
through the coach on the arrival Oh the
train exhorting the men 10 pay street at
tention to instructions and 10 brace up
the men were 50 strenuously opposed 10
making a public exhibition OF themselves
never having been drilled at all, lhdt
they carried their point and were allowed
10 go from the depot to the camp III any
manner they saw fit.
ASSIGNED TO THEIR PLACES.
Upon reaching the grounds the uni
formed companies were at once marched
to the Auditorium, and as they entered
they were loudly cheered by the NoiIolk
company, already ~ possession OF cor
ner of the great building. The new
comers were at once assigned TO their
places I'm the hall, the Home Guard oc-
cupying the corner at the right of the
front entrance, the ZOuaVes coming next,
while the Fitz. Lee Rifles were given
space on the same side near the stage
The latter were drawn up for some time
outside the grounds. but were hnaly
marched in and assigned 10 quarters by
Lieutenant Price.
The companies were very busy Tor an
hour or more looking after baggage ana
arranging their beds. This completed
they soon began strollng about the
grounds and fraternizing with the Nor
folkians. Many of them came down
town, but they had to report Tor supper
at I.
MAKE 4 GOOD APPEARANCE.
There is a great deal of esprit du corps
displayed by tie Lee Rifles and The LShch-
burg Home Guard and Zouayes. Captain
Miller's company will not have mucn OF
il until uniformed and armed and drilled.
The very becoming service hats, Of dark
lead color, worn by the Zouaves excited
comment, forming a strong contrast 10
the regulation caps Of the Guard and the
Norfolk company.
Many of the men in the Zouayes and
Guard were accoutred in heavy march
ing style, carrying knapsacks and can
teens in addition TO rifles They were Sll
in uniform, but several in each company
lacked rifles and belts. The officers all
have side-arms including a hanlsome
Colt of 81 calibre in red-leather holster.
The appearance of each is nne.
The Guard have been making physl-
cal examinations OF all applicants for ad-
mission into their ranks for a year or
more The Zouayes have also been eX-
ercising great care in the admission OF
recruits. so neither company expects 10
have many men rejected by Surgeon
Adair. ~
II had been reported here that there
had been a free fight on the tram soon
after it left Lynchburg, and that several
men had been hurt, more or less Sc
riously. 1t was said that pistols had
been used. and the situation had been
quite desperate for time. In this re-
mort. however, Dame Rumor appears 10
have DISTINGUISHED herself, and TO nave
justified her reputation Tor hnehuacitS
;rbere was really very little trouble on
the train. A difficulty did occur between
onartermaster Latham, OF the Home
cuard and Private Lavender, OF the
Fitz lee Rifles. but 1t was not serious IN
its consequences. IL appears that the
latter becoming hungry. went in the bag
qage-car 10 get something 10 eat, ana,
presumably by accident, got into one OF
The baskets OF the Home Guard. quar-
termaster Latham accosted him, ana la
vender. after some words had passed.
struck Latham. The officer quickly re-
covered himself. and from all accounts,
came out best in the lively exchange OF
hloxs that followed. Lavender was eject
ed from the train at Bremo but 1t Is be-
lieved he will rejoin his company here
to-day. If he did not do so last night.
Some further trouble occurred at an
other station a few miles further down.
one of the Rihemen. from what could
be heard last night, was making more
noise than was agreeable, and one of the
Home Guard held him until the train
puIIed out. Just releasing him In time TO
b,mn on the rear step OF the last car as
the train was pulling out. The member
of the Rifles was lett.
SKETCH OF THE HOME GUARD.
The oldest company of the three Is the