Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15
OvATIONs TO THE SOLDIER BOYS.
Petersburg Grays Given Great
scnd-OH at Their Home.


send-OH at Their Home.
PETERSBURG. VA. May 1A-(Speciai)
The one event of interest in our city to-
day was the departure, under orders OF
the Petersburg Grays for Camp Lee. at
Richmond to be mustered into the United
States army. All day long there was sup
pressed excitement on our streets, and
everywhere, sngly or in groups, the
Young soldiers appeared in uniform, there
were handshakings and words of con-
gratulations and encouragement The
streets were gay with flags, large and
small. and nearly every house in the
business portion of the city displayed
flags from its windows and doors. in
honor of the Grays. The company to-day
mustered nearly 40 men, rank and file,
many of whom are the sons and grand
sons of the gallant Petersburg soldiers
who fought through the terrible war OF
lS6l-s5
The Old Petersburg Grays Of which the
present company is the post bellum sue
cessor, was organized in 1SS under COM
mand of Captain ID. II. Branch, and its
organization was never broken 1t was
one of the companies sent TO Harpers
Ferry on the occasion of the John Brown
raid. Subsequent to this event, other
military companies were organized In our
city. among them the "B Grays," under
command of Captain Thomas II. Bond
The two companies of Grays, and Il,
were formed into a battalion, and were
among the troops that left Petersburg
for the front on the 10Th of April, 1861.
The survivors of the and b Grays,
now In many instances gray-haired men,
were among the most enthusiastic In the
line of escort of the Grays TO the depot
to-day.
The Grays met at their Armory at )
O'Clock, and, headed by their band ana
the A. p. Hill Camp Drum Corps, ana
escorted by the A. Z. Hill Camp of Con-
federate Veterans, old soldiers. and eX-
members of the company. afoot and on
| horseback, marched through the princl-
paI streets. oheered all the way along the
route by thousands of citizens. who lined
the sidewalks. The ladies were out in
great numbers to grace the occasion, ana
were vigorous in their waving of hand
kerchiefs and flags. During the marcn
! most of the places of business were
| closed.
Before leaving their Armory the Grays
engaged in devotion, being led In earnest
! PRAYER by Rev. DR.. II. w. Battle, of the
| First Baptist church. Rev. John Ridout'
of Grace Episcopal church, delivered a
brief address, extolling the patriotism OF
the soldiers and bidding to uphold the
honor and glorious record of their
mother State in all the trials that may
confront them. At the depot II is esti-
mated that a crowd of between 5000 ana
6.OOO people assembled to see the soldiers
off. The fair women of the city, composed
| over one-half Of the crowd. The scene
was in the highest degree impressive.
| The train moved off amidst deafening
cheers. the firing of cannon, the explosion
on bombs and fireworks, and the waving
| Of innumberable flags and handkerchiefs.
| About forty of the Confederate veterans
! accompanied the Grays to Richmond as
| an escort.
Alexandria Boys send-OT.
| ALEXANDRIA, VA, May H.-(Special)
| An immense crowd witnessed the depart
ure Of the lexandrla Light Infantry Tor
| Richmond this morning, and some affect
| ing scenes occurred. The command were
escorted to the depot by r. E. Lee Camp
of Confederate Veterans, Sons of Nete-