Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-07
OFF FOR THE FRONT.
THE THIRD AND FOURTH REGf-
MEyTs LEAVE RICHMOND.
THOUSANDS BID THEM ADIEU.
F.xuberant Enthusiasm and Tender
solicitudc Manifested-The Mnrch
10 the Depot-Gov. Tyler's Fare
veIl-Notes Along the Way.

Such scenes as those witnessed mere oi
Sunday when the Third Regiment iei'
for Camp Mger. near Washington ano
the Fourth Regiment went to join Gene
raj Fitzhugh Lee at Jacksonville, have
rarely been equalled in the history OF
| Richmond.
The city was early astir 1t was more
ike a fete day than a Sabbath. Count
less thousands thronged the streets IN
the neighborhood of the camp. OF the
| Union Depot. and along the line of march,
which was the same as that OF Thursday
| !ast, when the Second Regiment left for
| the Florida coast town. The churches
we're practically deserted, the morning
service in several instances being aban-
| doned.
Half-past o'clock was the hour set
for the departure of the Third Regiment.
| and three hours befge that time prepa-
rations were being made to break camp
| at the observation-disclosures. Many OF
the soldiers did not retire at all du-
ring the night, being 200 much de-
lighted at the prospect or going 10 the
front to sleep, and they put in their ume
a
kitchens and other frame structures
which had been erected for camp purposes
we're converted into huge bontires, and SO
extensive was the fire at one time In the
early morning that it was deemed neces-
sary to send in an alarm, and the Rich-
mond department was summoned 10 the
scene. Chief Fuller had his engines put
10 work, and few well-directed streams
soon subdued the bonfire, and the SOL
diers were held in restraint thereafter.
DEPARTURE OF THE THIRD.
The tents were struck after breakfast,
the canvas was loaded on the trains, ana
the Third Regiment was ordered TO tall
IN. Then came a long and dreary wait.
About o'clock the work Of getting the
regiment on board the trains, which were
on the siding near the Richmond, freder-
icksburg and Potomac shops was begun
and as soon as they could be loaded the
first section pulled out. The other sections
followed as soon as they could be mace
ready, but 1t was Ions after 10 O'CLOCK
when the last steamed away. Governor
Tyler, accompanied by his staff, mounted,
had in the mean time arrived at the camp,
and hurried to the Richmond, Frede-
ricksburg and Potomac shops in time to
catch the last section of the train, and,
seated upon his horse, made short talk
to the soldiers. He bade them Godspeed,
and, predicting that victory would perch
upon their banners, expressed the nope
that they would be spared and would
make a safe and speedy return 10 their
home and loved ones.
GODsPEED TO THE FOURTH.
An immense crowd had assembled at
the camp by 10 o'clock and was constant
ly augmented until the Fourth Regiment
left for the Union Depot. Colonel George
Washington Taylor received his commits
sion as a full colonel before he left the
old camp.
The last hour at the camp was full of
that sweet sorrow that partings are sup
posed to bring Many tears were shed,
and demonstrations of distracted aftec-
ton might have been seen on every side.
The soldiers were made the recipients Of
many delicate and kindly intentions; they
were loaded down with gifts of every
sort, and were cheered TO the echo again
and again. Mrs. John Shelton Williams
decorated each member of the Blues with
a nosegay of pinks. These the men stuck
in the muzzles of their guns. but upon or
der of Colonel Taylor they were removed.
The regiment was formed in line short
ly after 10 o'clock, and, headed by the Gov
ernor and his staff, marched down Broad
street between solid mass OF people
to a point opposite the Lee monument,
and then, wheeling 10 the right, marched
around the monument, at present, the
Blues Band, which occupied a position
on the right of the line, playing Dixie"
Passing around the monument, the regi-
ment turned into Franklin street, and
there a great demonstration was accord
ed them The street all the way TO Sew
enth was packed with patriotic people,
and cheer on cheer rent the air as the
regiment passed down the thoroughfare.
At the Commonwealth Club an i'm
mense crowd was gathered, and here the
Blues were given tumultuous cheers.
These cheers were repeated and echoed
all down the street. Flags, both national
and Confederate, with here and there
a Cuban banner, were waved, and the
scene was one that almost beggars de-
scription.
ON FRANKLIN street the veterans from
Lee Camp and most of the old soldiers
from the Soldiers Home, in uniform,
awaited the soldiers, and when the halt |
was made in front Of the Jefferson the |
veterans fell in line Immediately in rear |
of the Governor and staff, and escorted |
the troops to the depot. On Seventh |
street just north Of the depot, the vete- |
rams drew up in line. and remained I'M |
covered, while the younger men marched |
past them TO their trains.
GOVERNOR TYLER's FAREWELL.
As soon as the line halted al the depot, |
Governor Tyler refined up his horse as
near the centre of the street as he could |
get and as soon as silence could be |