The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-05-05
Sc. Paul, MINI, April 30, 1893.

Sc. Paul, MIMI, April 30, 1893.
An army of civilians yesterday, $4,000
strong, watched brigade of Minnesota'S
volunteer soldiers, 1000 in number, march
through the streets of st. Paul to Camp
Ramsey at the state fair grounds, the
first camping place of Minnesota's quota
of the volunteer army of the United
States.
1t was a grand, an inspiring spectacle,
1t was scene that wrought to the high
est tension the enthusiasm Of those that
know none of the horror. nothing but tl.e
sunshine, the tinsel, the spectacular of
war; But to those among the older citi-
zens of the city, those that saw Minneso-
Ia s men march away thirty-seVen years
ago this month to acquit themselves so
nobly in the long, bitter struggle between
the North and the South, to the men
that marched from Minnesota then, to
the widows and orphans who lost their
loved cnes in that struggle, the scene held
a different prospect. 1t was one that
saddened their hearts and brought back
again wildly the long ago.
Many of those that witnessed the de-
parture of tho troops for the Civil war
remarked, however, on the quiet de-
meanor Of the crowds. "It is not like
it was thirty-seven years ago. said eX-
Gov. Ramsey, who watched the march
ing Of the troops from Gov. Clough's pri-
vate Office at the capitol. 1.-The crowds
are not so turbulent. There is not as
much cheering. Why, I remember how
the people threw their hats in the air
and cheered until they couldn't cheer any
longer. And women cried and rushed
into the ranks as their loved ones passed
by, clasping them around the neck and
pleading with them to return to their
homes. Our boys, back in 'G1 weren't
as smart looking soldiers. They didn't
have any uniforms and they didn't know
how to march we'll these lads, but
they fought like demons"
Review by the Staff.
The troops were late in starting from
the capitol because of the late arrival of
some of the country companies, and it
was not until II 40 O'Clock that Col. Bob
Letter, brigade commander, gave the Or
der to march. Gov. Clough and his staff
in full uniform, were drawn up, on horse
back. directly in front of the capitol on
the east side of the street.
The first Indication of the approaching
column was a platoon of mounted police,
under command of Lieut. Budy, of the
Prior avenue station. The people ckeered
all along the line as the policemen ap-
peared and they cheered again a I'D again
as Col. Bobleter and Maj. Mead, riding
few feet in advance Of the Second regi-
Tent band, passed the governor and his
staff and saluted. Col Bobleter and Maj.
ances and as the first battalion wheeled
into line around Exchange street, the
people cheered again.
The men were marching in columns of
fours. They were all in heavy marching
order. The column Of tours was main
tanned by necessity, on account of the
immense crowds of people all along the
rou-e, until the line req ched Lexington
avenue, where platoons were formed and
the marching was in that order until the
Smelling avenue bridge was reached. Here
the formation was reduced to columns of
tours again and in that order the men
marched into Camp Ramsey at the fair
grounds.
Some o. the recruits and one or two of
the trained guardsmen were compelled to
drop out of the ranks before the camp
was reached on account of sore feet. They
had not provided themselves with proper
marching shoes and we're unprepared for
the long tramp.
Following close on the color con rany
of the Second regiment, came the First
regiment, with the st. Paul, Minneapolis,
Red Wing and Saltwater companies, pre-
coded by the First regiment band Of Min
neapolis. Col Reeve rode at the head
of the column and with him rode Maj.
Bean, until recently captain of Company
D. When the First had passed the Third
regiment came into line, bringing up the
rear of the column. With Col. Van Iu-
zee, commanding the regiment, rode Rev.
William Colbert of the Cathedral the
chaplain of the regiment. AS the rear Of
the Third regiment passed the governor
and his staff they wheeled into line and
followed the column to camp.
Recruits Ar, Cheered.
Yesterday was the second time that the
three regiments of the Minnesota national
guard have marched in brigade forma tion
The first time was in October of 1892, at
the dedication of the Worlds fair build
ing in Chicago, when the Minnesota guard
was highly complimented by the Chicago
press for it's soldierly appearance. At
that time only about 1900 men were in
line. Yesterday there were fully 1000
men in the column, all the compani
turning out strong, regulars and recruits
The Second and the Third regiments
marched their recruits with their COM
panies, a couple of recruits being placed
between two old guardsmen. The First
regiment marched all it's old men together
and the recruits followed the companies
in which they are enrolled. ALL along the
line it was noticeable that the recruits
received the loudest cheers. The recruit )
are pretty good material and while they
seemed incongruous and out-of-place i'll
their civilian suits of all kinds and colors
it will not be long before they will be
as good soldiers as the smarter-a tired
guardsmen.
Nearly every recruit had a bundle of
some sort, clothes, lunch prepared ny
mother for her boy, perhaps-a few Of
the deicacies that he used to like
while many a bullying haversack gave
evidence of the thoughtfulness OF mother
And mother was apparent again in some
of the bedding materials, carried by the
recruits. Homely patchwork comforts
that mothers hands had made were car
ried and carried proudly, too
The formation of the parade was
changed slightly from the first order.
The Second regiment formed on Exchange
street with its right resting on Wabasha
and just before the order came to march
the Second opened ranks while the First
marched through. The Third was sta
toned on Cedar street with it's right
resting ON Exchange. The Second wheeled
q on Wabasha street in open ranks, closing
into columns of tours as soon as the
right OF the First passed. The First then
followed in solid formation, the Third
following in the same order
The First regiment rendezvoused in the
capitol grounds. Arms were stacked,
haversaeks and knapsacks were laid in
rows on the ground and guard was set
to protect the equipment. The Second
regiment massed at Smith Park and re-
manned there, under the same order, until
just few minutes before the column
was moved. The companies of the Third
regiment, as soon as they reached town,
were marched toward the capitol and
drawn up ina double line on the east side of
Minnesota street, extending from Seventh
street to the capitol Along this line the
boys from the country had enough amuse-
ment to keep them in good spirits. Men