Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-03

tween the two black lines of people,
which seemed to meet in perspective,
came the glittering bayonets OF the sol
diers.
At the camp entrance the veterans of
the Soldiers Home We're drawn up in
| line, and, saluting the men OF war as
they passed cheered Justify. At the cor
ner of First and Franklin streets the
veterans of Lee and Pickett Camps, in
their gray uniforms, proud in bearing
and indifferent in marching, took the
right of the line, and moved like men VINO
had come into their own.
THE GRAY AND BLUE.
On they marched, an endless line OF
gray and blue and red ana Whlte'
through the black background Of hu-
manity and white clouds of dust. The
column never waVering. steadily ad-
vanced. There was no checking 1t now
Two thousand men were marching with
one cadence. No piercing sun, no dust
could kill the enthusiasm that the slght
proyoked. and it burst from many tnou-
sand throats. Away above the blare or
the brasses and the tramp of the thou-
sands arose the shouts OF the multtuue'
Down the broad street the cheers were
taken us. and down further stlll. On
ward pressed the column. Seventh street
surging with eXpectant humanity, lay
lust ahead. Uncounted thousands were
impatient TO see the flying banners anu
the flashing bayonets.
CROWD AT THE DEPOT.
The crowd at the depot surged forward,
then fell back again, as the head Of the
column appeared. 1t has been roughly
estimated that 1900 people were gath
cred in that vicinity, and so it may have
been. The windows of all the factories
were filed with people, for work had
been suspended.
To attempt 10 tell the story Of that
brief travel would be 10 multiply incidents
OF the greatest delicacy and tenderness.
4 great wave of feeling seemed TO sweep
with the soldier boys along the line OF
march. and even strong men thought II
not a shame to weep. Never since the
MAY Of 1861 have such scenes been enact
ed in the streets Of Richmond.
AS the column marched along Franklin
street a mother of one of the boys. una
HE 10 control her feelings, rushed into
the line. and fell weeping upon the neck
of her SON No one sought 10 separate
the two, and, rapidly recovering heraen'
she fell into the line and marcheu sIeP
for stem by the side of her boy until the
station was reached. Al the corner %
pine and Main streets a policeman, IN ms
uniform. whose name is a synonym tor
desperate courage broke down al lhe
SIGHT of his son, who was in the ranks
several friends who were with him. Ioi
rbe ostensible purpose Of sustaining MN
in tbe hour of separation, wept with MIN
And so il was all along the line OF march-
There were two sides TO the picture .hc
one boundless in its enthusiasm, the otilel
inunitely pathetic in the depth OF s I.s "o''
CARRIED STARS AND BARS.
~
rade was furnished by Lee Camp, Tor
side bv side with the battle-ftag OF the
Confederacy they carried the Stars ana
Stripes. I'm
There were three men in line who VIII
derive some solace upon their Journey
from the companionship OF represenld
tfves of the brute creations. one calIleu
a uuppy another a kitten, ana ahothei
wore a partridge tied by the leg ana
perching upon his nat. -
The Governor and his stan had driven
from Camp Lee, and arrived at BYRD
Street a short while before the Hoop9'
The Second Regiment entered the APP
proach 10 the station first passing their
escort, drawn up on the rlght between
Cary and Byrd streets.
ADDRESSED BY THE GOVERNOR
The travellers were then drawn up a'
he end OF the SldllOu OppOSiNO S'@
sections OF the train that was 10 carry
hem 10 Jacksonville. Upon the PLATFORM
~ the end coach Of the first section ,
,tood Governor Tyler, surrounded by the
MEMBERS of his staff and several ladles'
md he thus addressed the men;
'.This IS the saddest hour OF soldier
ife-the farewell to home. friends ana
,ative state. and dare not trust myseh
"a attempt to express the emotions tnat
yeu up in my heart at this time. Tor IN
iced a fiood OF memories too sad Tor eA-
,ression crowd in upon me. II Is oniy
w turning our thoughts 10 a hope OF
,iorious return that gloom can De uis-
,alled Let US then in fancy near the
iveIv strains OF martial music as IL
,eIcoues home our conquering heroes
rowned with glory of duty nobiy DONE
Loud applause)
"wjth all confidence we see you 60
that you will acquit yourselves
ike men. faithful. honorable soldiers
,roudly bearing the name OF Virginians'
y eenewed applause) AS Governor or this
'tata I make most sincere acknowleos-
oent OF the quick and ready response
vifh which you have answered your
ountry's call L know you VIII prove !