Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-08-25
OFF FOR MIDDLETOWN, PA.
Departure Of The First Delaware Resi.
ment From Camp Tunnel.
ALL BUT % ANSWERED ROLL CALL
Demonstration on Streets of
MlddIetown, Del.
MAY Be MUSTERED OUT IN THIS CITY

The First Delaware Regiment, United
States Volunteers, which haa been en-
camped at Middletown, this State, sinca
April, is now out of the State, having |
crossed the Maryland line, on it's way
to MIddletown, ta., -in two trains, the |
last going over the line at Iron Bill at
about 0. 45 o'clock Saturday. Twenty two |
coaches, two Pullman cars, eight bag
gage cars and one stock car were re-
quired to transport the regiment and
equipments.
The tents Of the men wers struck at
$40 o'clock Friday afternoon, all |
going down simultaneously at the blast !
OF the bugls. Quite a number OF WISH
tors were there at the time and they |
were pleased with the effect, which was !
anosher demonstration OF this prdfi- |
ciepcy which the men have attained.
The oifc1ss' tents were left standing |
until Saturday. After the mems
tents bad been struck the membsrs Of
the several companies pitched their
shelter tente, 10 which they were guar
tered during the night. The effect was
very pretty after dark. A lighr rain
fell, Just enough TO keep the mon in
Quarters, and as each tent was lighted,
what had been miniature white city
was converted into q blaze of light.
To add to the effect there Awer6 bon
fires all over the camrground, the men
having decided to burn everything
which could not be taken along.
Mnny of tho men manifested their
delight at the prospect of moving, and
there were several orderly demonstra
tions during the evening.
force Of men, under command of
battalion AdJutant Gsurge b. Rodney,
worked all night loading baggage on
the cars at the station. The cars we're
guarded by a squad of armed men, and
another armed squad watched all of the
passenger ana freight trains to prevent
soldiers who might be 90 disposed from
leaving Middletown. As far as 10
Known, theirs were no attempts at deBer-
tion aud there wsrs no controversies
betwesn any OF the guards and other
soldiers. The men who were loading
the cars worked like beavers, and by
daylight everything portable, except
such things rs were actually in Use or
would be carried by the men we're on
the cars ready for shipment.
At o'clock on Saturday. tho reyeille
was sounded and III few minutes all
wnH activity in camp. The men lost no
time in preparing for their departure.
Soon after reveille had beon sounded
the officers tents were struck and these
tents and the remaining baggage were
taken into Middletown and loaded on
the cars. Ali tenta were loaded on the
cars, for transportation to the new
camp.
The men were given q good break
fast, and each was provided with three
days rationu; 30 there IB no probability
that anybody will go hungry. The off,
! GERS took every precaution to see that
all were we'll taken care of in this
| direction.
Ate.30 O'Clock the entire regiment,
in heavy marching order, formed III a
line Of Masses and at g. As o'clock the
order was given to march. The men
Looked like veterans. They had be-
come tanned by tho sun and wind and
were hardy looking set of iuen. And
it might be we'll TO state that nearly
every one Of the boys HAD the appear
ance Of being not only contented, hut
happy. A rny Of sunshine was wish le
n almost ever eye, but it could be
detected that there we're few who
we're. sorrowful. The weather was fine.
The sun was shining bright, and the
temperature was just right, which
seemed to be nne of the features that
addsd to the general pleasure of the
men.
"As a matter OF fact, however" re.
marked Major Townsend aftsrward,
There was a certain sadness about
having the old place. ! felt that way
and most of the others did. We had
been there for four months, through
anow, ice, slset, hail, rain, wind, sun
aIips and in fact every kind Of
weather, and Camp Tunnel seemed
like home to most of w. Why. even
my old horse, Dexter, knew someth ing
was wrong. He was sad. After my
tent had been taken down he walked
up to the place where ii had been and
shifted and snorted and looked about,
apparently asking me what was the
matter.
Lieut. Col. Stevenson acquiesced in
what Major Townsend had said and be
believed his horse was also depressed
by the change.
AT 6.45 O'Clock. tho regiment, witt
the band in the lead, began the marcel
toward the station. The band was al
ita BEST and played 1.-THE Girl Left
behind Me- and several patriotic airi
while marching through Midaletown'
A rouaing aend-otf was giyon by thu
peonle of the town and hundreds o
others from this city and other parts o
tne SJHJe, nloSb OF Wuutn uhu spenh Wv
night with people in the town.
There were many decorations on thu
dwellings and stores in honor of thu
departure OF the troops. The residence
OF Col. T. II. GIlpin was more eiabor
ately ornamented than any other plac
in the town. Chosr after cheer wen
up from hundreds OF tbroats as tn
boys marched through the street
with tread resembling that of regu
lars. 1t was indeed a grand sight AMI
lie a matter OF regrot that the people o
this city could rot have had the sam
opportunity as the Middletown people
The soltliers boarded the cars 500
after reaching the station. When tn
roll was called all were present excep
IS, one OF whom, Buger William L
Simmons. brother of Lieut. Simmonf
is sick with typhoid pneumonia at hi
home in Dover, and another. Privat
Jones Of 20. Il. is also sick with pneu
monia at his homo in Smyrna. Their
was only one man In the hospital ten,
and as his case was not serious, he wa
taken on to Middlstown, Pa.
No difficulty was experienced in pre-
pairing the traina for departure and ID
first train loft the station at 81
o'clock. just 16 minutesl later th
Hecond section left. At each static
there was crowd OF people and th
men were nheered as the trains passe
by. Each train stopped short tins
Porter's station, and at that place tht
were switrhad nm thu NeWark Il Del;