The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-21
WELCOME TO BLUECOATS.
FOOD AND FLOWERS FOR
WESTERN RECRUITS.
Hearty Receptions Extended the
Incoming Troops From Over
the Rockies.


corded reception such as the high
est personages in the land seldom re-
ceiVe, and Sacramento's citizens GER
tainly left an agreeable impression on
the sturdy youth of the great Middle
West that Will not soon be effaced.
According to arrangements made by
the Sacramento Sanitary Commission,
the Chamber Of Commerce and citizens
generally, everything was in shape to
give the soldier boys d taste Of West
ern hospitality, and that they appreci-
ated the effort was shown by counter
demonstrations. in which they We'd
with the great crowd in cheering for
everything in sight, and some things
that are decidedly far away, among
which were the battleship Maine and
the Island Of Cuba.
The Sacramento Institute Band was
on hand early, and throughout the day
alternated with the Second Infantry
Band in discoursing martial music. Of
ten both bands were playing at the
same time, but as the length Of the
depot separated them, and as several
thousand people INTERVIEWED there was
no break in the harmony.
Northeast of the depot was an inn
provised lunch counter, presided over
by Salvation Army lassies, and the sol
diers We're entitled to ali the new bread
and rich, creamy coffee they could tuck
away under their blouses. The pro-
visions had been supplied by the SAM
tary Commission, and the Salvation
Army people contributed their services
for the occasion.
It was 10:45 O'Clock in the forenoon
before the first train-that carrying the
Third Battalion of the First Nebraska
Volunteers. rolled into the depot, and
the crowd that gathered to give them a
welcome mum bered far into the thous-
ands. A force of police were on the
ground all day, and on the arrival of
each train were constrained to use con-
siderable exertion in clearing the track.
The Nebraska boys We're heartily re-
ceived and we'll fed. Coffee and bread
We're given in abundance, and hun
dreds of citizens fought their way
through the long string of ears, some
out Of curiosity; others to say kind
word to the boys, and others to distrib-
ute more substantial kindnesses in the
shape of lunches, fruits, flowers, to-
bacco, etc.
The popular fad ofcutting the but
tons off the soldiers coats, for s0uve-
Mrs was carried to & degree that was
absolutely disgusting. The practice is
an utterly senseless one. There might
be some value in a button as souvenir
given by a friend, but il is hard to
conceive what pleasure woman can
derive from the possession of but
ton stolen from stranger-a soldier
who will need il to keep out the cold
winds that sweep the Preside. One
set of women are engaged in raising
money TO provide the soldiers with
needles and thread to sew on buttons
and another engages in cutting off the
buttons and carrying them away. Yer
ily. the ways of some women are past
finding out
But the reception given was d royal
one. and as long as there was sol
der in sight the bands played, the peo-
pie cheered and the troops responded
Major milford was in command.
1t was 12:40 O'Clock when a train
rolled in bringing the First Battalion
of the Thirteenth Minnesota Nolun-
teers. They were accorded a rousing
reception equal to that given the Ne
braska boys They were fine looking
body of men. and three companies, in
order TO Timber up their legs as they
said. fell in behind the depot and did
some fancy marching, showing that
they were no green hands at the bust
ness. but were seasoned guardSmen
Since the train left Minnesota several
cases of measles were developed among
the troops. and there was on board one
genuine case of typhoid fever. SeV-
eral men had been placed in hospitals
on the way out Colonel McCreeve was
in command of the battalion and the
regiment.
At 1:30 o'clock the train bearing the
first installment of Kansas troops ar
rived and the "Jayhawkers' farec
worse than did their brethren who pre-
ceeded them. At least some of then
did. Fully one-half of them were with
out regulation uniforms, and in many
instances guards We're stationed at botf
doors Of the cars, and nobody was al
lowed to go outside The men of one
company complained to "Record-U
ion" reporter that since they left To-
peka on Monday last. they had no'
been permitted to leave their cars.
Those in charge of the edibles soof
discovered the condition Of affairs, anc
the guarded Kansans-who were get
ting practical taste of soldering
were We'll IeQ- hdJOI w AllIiiSAA Yin
manded the troop on the first train.
The second trainload of Kansas
troops arrived at 2:15 o'clock p. m
Many of them were not properly equip
ped. but all seemed to be in the best OF
spirits. Major Metcaf was in com
mand.
The third and last detachment OF
Kansas troops reached the depot al
$50 O'Clock. Captain Buchan was II
command.
The second and third trainloads OF
Minnesota troops arrived at 6:13 and
o'clock p. m, respectively, and the
crowd which greeted them was nearly
as large and demonstrative as thai
which gathered earlier in the day.
AT s .. m. and again at 8, trains
bearing more Minnesota troops arrived
and the crowd that greeted them ex
ceeded any seen during the day. Ont
of the companies which arrived at 6;l,
O'Clock left the cars for a hmbering III
drill and marched north on Third t
1 I'D K to Fourth, on Fourth to J
down ] to Third, and thence to the de
not They performed difficult evolu
tions with the ease and nonchalance Of
regulars. and won any amount Of ap
plause for their cleverness.
At 9.45 O'Clock the first load of Col
orado Volunteers arrived, and though
the crowd had thinned out considerably
It was still big enough to make gooC