Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-04-30
COMPANY E DEPARTS.
The Boys Go to Charleston
Where the State Troops
are M0biliZing.
THE WHOLE CITY TURNS LOOSE.
An Important Event In the History of
neutrality-suspicious. Suspend
ed--Sad Scenes at the
Depot.

Never ID the history OF Martins
burg we're such scenes witnessed as
those which occurred on Wednes-
day last. Amid the brazen notes
of bugles, music by the bands, cheers
of bystanders, tears of relatives and
friends, and a tempest of farewells
and encouragements, the fifty-odd
brave boys OF Company E, of the
First Regiment, West Virginia Nat
ional Guards, of this city, left for
Charleston from the B. & o. depot,
at S.45 O'Clock p. m.
There had been much speculation
and discussion here concerning the
place ofrendezvous of the state mill
tia. The Governor had decided
on place at Charleston, but his
staff said that it would be too small.
The orders issued on Monday even
ing from the War Department giving
the quota of men and the place of
rendezvous, named this city as the
place of mobilizing the West Vir-
ginia troops.
Company E had been awaiting
marching orders since Monday, and
the members were somewhat worked
up and impatient at not receiving,
same, as orders countermanding
each other were coming quite often.
Governor Atkinson had decided to
mobilize the state troops at Charles
ton and was only awaiting the mo-
mentarily expected call from Wash
ington to flash across the wires to
Brigadier. General Spillman to get
together the forces of West Virginia.
The reason for selecting Charles
ton was that it was the Capital of
the State and to that point would
go all orders from Washington. By
having the troops there the necessi-
ty for transmitting order would be
avoided and everything would be
under the personal supervision of
the Governor, his Acknowledgement
and the Department. Furthermore,
Charleston is central and is located
on the G. & o., which is the line
along which the United States is
hurrying its troops to the point to
which they have been assigned.
Captain Moore about half-past ten
Tuesday night received message
from Colonel Smith, commanding
the LIST Regiment, which said that
marching orders would be sent him
during the night.
The Captain at once called out
the company thinking they might be
called to 90 on No. 8, early Wednes.
day morning. The boys however
were disappointed as up to eight
O'Clock no orders had been received
from headquarters. Those who had
been up all night went home to their
breakfasts and made themselves
ready for an early start.
a short time later word was re-
ceived that the company was to
leave on a special train as section
of No. SIS, about I.30 p. m. At this
time the streets we're thropglng with
people, and the City Band was out
ready to esort the boys to the train,
when another telegram came saying
they would leave on q section of
No. l, between and o'clock. Or
ders had been given and counter
manded until the boye were tired of
1t. Finally the thing was settled
and they were to leave at this time.
At 5.45 o'clock the fire bell began
to clang-the signal agreed upon
when they were to start, and before
I o'clock the main thoroughfares of
the city, along which the company
was to pass, was a complete block
ade.
The boys were escorted to the de-
pot in royal style, headed by the
Martinsburg Fife, Bugle and
Drum Corps, the Fire Depart
ment, the Mechanics Band, Lincoln
Post No. /, G. A. r., and the City
Band. Then followed the "Boys in
Blue"
The march to and the departing
scenes at the depot will long be re-
membered by those who witnessed
them. From the Armory to the de.
pot the boys were greeted with
cheers from thousands of throats,
the waving of handkerchiefs by the
fair young ladies, and the waving Of
flags, etc., by young and old. The
streets of the city were ablaze with
flags and bunting, and presented
an attractive appearance.
Never has such crowd been
known to gather at the depot, as
about 5000 is estimated to have
been there to witness the departure
of the boys, many thinking that per-
haps they would never again see
their homes in this city. Mothers
parting from sons, husbands from
wives, sweethearts bidding each 9TH
er farewell, and grasping the hands
Of the boys, were scenes which thrill
ed Us through and through. The
music by the bands present, how
ever, and the vociferous cheering of
the multitude, kept up the hearts of
many until the train left.
The boys are brave set of men,
and they carry the affections of the
people and prayers for their safe re-
turn again to their homes. We feel
should they be brought into battle,
they will at the end be able TO say:
ave have fought good fght,'
and will make a good showing
wherever placed. If it is that they
are never to return, we know that!
each and every one OF them will say:
81 have but one life to live, and that
gladly do | give in defense of my
country-for the cause of Christian.
ity and right"
The following are the names of
the members of Company E, who