The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-02
HOME AGAIN.
GALLANT JACKIES RETURN AMI
RECEIVE A ROYAL RECEPTION.

Rousing welcome Accorded the Nam
tueket Reserves Upon their Arrival
Yesterday MOrning-PeOPle Were Out
En- Masse and IL was a Gala Occasion.
Rafting Speech-Making and an
Feast at the ArmOry-ROs.
ter OF the Crew and Further Business
Transactions-Big Time Last Night
at Carolina Beach.
1t made the heart swell with pride
yesterday to witness the royal recep-
ton accorded the fearless Nantucket
boys. Their reception was immense
and there never has been a happier
occasion in the history of dear old
Wilmington and there never will be
Patriotism strongly pervaded the air
and thrilled the soul of every one, nav
ing a most pronounced enthusiastic
affect.
The papers yesterday morning con-
tanned full accounts of the rousing well
come to be extended the boys. So early
the streets become thrOnged with peo-
the sight of scores of busy mortals
was everywhere down town preparing
for the event. The Star and Stripes"
were thrown to the breeze over many
an establishment, while roll after roll
Of gaily cOlored bunting, the major
portion the beloved national colors,
and other festive decorations, were
artistically displayed here, there. and
everywhere and made the eye snap
and kindle with increased joy at sight.
About 7:30 O'Clock all was hustle
pretty maidens, and they could be seen
by the score, each face radiant with ex-
pectancy, hurried hither and thither;
the quick tattoo of the drum and the
ma~rtial-like blast of the bugle were
heard; the measured read of the SOL
der resounded from many points, n
the flashing shine of bayOnets and the
glitter of handsome, bright uniforms
dazzled the vision; vehicles kept up
an in~cessant rattle, rattle, rattle as
they Travelled merrily yer the cobble
stones gathering the distinguished per-
SOnae, who were to be prominent in
the celebration; and the rumble of the
shining brass hoWitZer, drawn by a
pair of stalwart horses, and followed
by the gun crew, clad in spotless suits
of white, was music to the ear. Then
there was a sight that made our pulse
quicken and the body burn with loyal
ardor, as it ever will; it was the gray
of the co~nfederacy and the peerless
warriors of the sixties.
MAGNIFICENT PAGEANT.
The procession formed at the inter
section of Front and Market streets
and moved up to the depot in the fol-
lowing order, while the band enlivened
the march by playing SOusa'S famed
Eel Captain" viz:
Platoon of Police-Chief Joh r.
Melton.
Second Regiment Band-Professor J.
E. Wilson.
Chief Marshal-COlonel F. w. Kerch-
ner and aides, Captain w. N. Harrriss,
Lieutenant w. r. Morrison and Cap
tain ST. John.
Uniformed Confederate Veterans.
Sons of Veterans.
Colonel Walker Taylor's Boys Bri-
gade.
Wilmington Light Infantry-Lieuten-
ant G.. A. Cardwell.
Baptist Boys Brigade.
Naval Reserves with Artillery-Cap-
tain j. G.. Morrison.
Carriage containing Hon. Frank Nc
Neill, orator, Colonel John D. Taylor,
Hon. John D. Bellamy and S.. P.
Cowan, Esq.
Carriage containing Colonel w. J.
Woodward, Lieutenant w. F. Robert
son and Sir Knights Martin Newman
ana fT6O D.. 16lCe, lTOIu Ecu
Vance Division No. /, Uniform Rank
knights Of Pythias.
Carriage containing Mayor S. P.
Wright, Mr.. Jas. II. Chadbourn, Jr.,
president of the Chamber of Com
merce, and Colonel F. w. Foster.
Chief of Fire Department Charles
Schnibben.
Assistant Chief w. P. Monroe.
Fire Department and Apparatus.
Bicycles.
Citizens on foot.
Just outside the depot the procession
was halted and allowed at parade
rest" while the band continued on to
the inside of the depot to greet the
boys ION sight"
ARRIVAL AND HOMEWARD
MARCH.
lust a few minutes past s o'clock
the crowd, gazing eagerly down the
railroad track, sighted the special
train, and a few second later the loco
motive, putting and blowing, pulled
into the depot. Then there was a scene
of wild excitement n the band struck
up Dixie" Nc other air so thrills and
the southerner as this one,
and cheer after cheer assembled heav-
onward from the threats of the large
crowd, and the jackies, clad in CARDS
of blue and begrimmed with smoke
and dust, but swarthy and robust in
appearance, fell pell nell off the cars,
and sent back echoing cheers from
well developed lungs, while the how
itzer away down in the railroad yard
doomed out greetings and the deep
tone of the fire bell was borne to the
air.
Shaking hands and other modes Of
welcome was next on the programme,
after which the muster in" bugle call
was given.
All the 'laddies'' fell in and, head
ed by the band, marched out of the
depot and between open n Of the
escort, which saluted as they passed.
The return to the armory was down
Front street to Market, up Market to
Fifth, up Fifth to Princess, and down
the latter street to the destination.
Along the homeward route the de-
monstration was immense. Ladies
wildly waved parasols and handker-
chiefs, and the male populace vigor-
ously and rapidly thrashed the air
with their read e and Justify shout