Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-15
MUSTER OUT FRIDAY.
FIELD AND STAFF OF THE SECOND
TO DE DISCHARGED IN SALEM.
COL. BAKERS FAREWELL ADDRESS.
The Commander of the Second Is
sues His Last Communication to
of the Organization.

The field and staff and non-commis-
stoned staff and band Of the Second Regi-
ment will be mustered out at Salem to-
morrow instead Of in Richmond Tuesday
as formerly ordered
This order was issued yesteday. Sur
geon-Major Peyton was the only member
Of the staff in Richmond and he left for
his home, in Pulaski, soon after receiving
the order. He had remained here In an
ticipation Of being mustered out in Ricn-
mond Tuesday, when the three Rich
mond companies Of the Second will be
paid off and discharged. All the field and
staff officers had expected to return to
Richmond for muster out.
COLONEL BAKERS FAREWELL.
Colonel Baker, the beloved commander
OF the Second Regiment, has issued the
following farewell address TO his oficers
Officers of the Second Virginia Volun-
teer Infantry:
THE date for the mastering out of my
regiment has been set and soon the or
ganization in which we have felt peculiar
pride, and which has been an honor TO
the state Of Virginia, both at home and
abroad, Will cease to exist, and can only
i've In our memories. On the eve OF Its
dissolution i cannot refrain from giving
expression Of my appreciation Of you and
the men whom / had the honor to COM
mand. You have ever merted my es-
TEEN and confidence. / have always
found you ready, active, and willing 10
perform the duties assigned TO you, and
TO such degree do you possess my con-
hdence. that l felt absolutely sure that
l had gallant officers to lead and brave
men TO follow, no matter how herce
waged the conflict
"Your ready aid has been the means
which enabled me to bring this regiment
to It's high state Of efficiency. Perfect
harmony has prevailed among US, no
jealous or petty rivalries have marred our
associations, and the only emulation was
who could best work and agree. This has
streWn our past with sweetest recOllec-
tons. which | will ever cherish among
the choicest of my memories. We went
forth to follow the flag and serve our
country wherever needed, and while we
were given no opportunity to test our
courage on the field of battle. 1t was
through no fault of ours. on the second
day of June 1898 as we marched through
the streets of Richmond 10 Join the
Seventh Army Corps, 10 which this COM
mand had been assigned, there was no
officer or man who did not cherish the
expectation that we were 10 be among
the first of those who would plant the
flag of the free country on foreign soil,
and defend II with our lives, and Tor this
we stood waiting for orders.
rs ii wrong Tor me to say that were
IL not for the tear-stained cheeks of
wives and mothers, the desolate hearths
and sOrrowing hearts at home, / could
wish the opportunity had been given the
Second Regiment TO prove that the same
courage, the same fidelity TO duty, I'm
the midst Of shot and shell. which char
acteriZed our fathers in the days gone
by, lives in their sons?
A SPLENDID RECORD.
THE history Of the organization is brief
but gratifying. II opens with General
orders No. s. A. q. o.. Virginia dated
April 10. 1858. This order directed report
as TO those officers and men In the Nir
ginia Volunteers who would volunteer 70
serve I'm the Army Of the United States
anywhere, either In or outside OF the
country. As soon as this order was re-
ceved, the field. STAFF. band and the
twelve companies offered their services
On the 2lst day Of May, 1898, the entire
regiment had been mustered into service.
For three months. under southern sun,
amidst disease and death. we waited a
quickly over hat our services being no
longer needed, We were ordered home to
resume the duties OF civil life. The
regiment has a gratifying record. Out Of
1.212 enlisted men. there were only five
assertions and thirteen deaths while I'm
the field-twelve from disease and one
from accident. OF the officers. only one
Lieutenant Frank Woon, Company NJ
was called from US, one whom We all
loved and honOred: one who measured up
10 a full standard OF a gentleman and
soldier, courteous and brave; we mourn
his death and cherish his memory.
Let US not feel that our time has been
wasted. The experience we have had has
better prepared us for life's duties, and
should ii ever be necessary 10 answer
another call to serve our country. we will
be able TO render service more efficient.
Our history closes with the mastering out
of our regiment on the 10th day Of De-
cember, 1895 Ii began before the Presi-
dents call for troops; II ended only after
the conclusion Of peace
GEN. HASBROUCKS TRIBUTE.
For the purpose Of letting you know
how that elegant gentleman and brave So
der, General III. G. Hasbrouck, our bril-
gade commander whom We will ever love
and honor esteemed the regiment, / call
your attention to the following letter,
written by him:
Jacksonville Fla, Sept. 1, 1888.
" My Dear General Lee:
II wanted to go with Colonel Baker
and see you personally in regard to the
muster-out of the Second Virginia, but
my duties detain me in camp. The Sc
cOnd Virginia IS a fine regiment, Is we'll
trained, and fitted 10 perform any duties
that may devOlVe upon II. / should be
exceedingly sorry TO lose it from my bri-
gade. Ii not now too late, l hope steps
can be taken 10 retain IT,
i am, General very sincerely yours,
(SigneO H G. HASBROUCK,