The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-09-23
HOME AGAIN.
Soldiers Return From the Tented
Field.
Wilkin Post and Patriotic Citizens Turn
Out and Give Them Well
come.


dred, consisting largely Of young peoo-
pie, assembled at the union depot at
a few moments before seven O'Clock
this morning to welcome the return OF
the citizen soldiery from camp. The
G. & NV, train bearing the troops
from New Ulm was few moments
late, but the Gilmore train on the
Omaha was held until after it's arri-
val.
When the train pulled slowly
through the factory district the whis-
ties were let loose, and a shrill well
come was extended from iron Threats.
As the, train reached the platform,
Alexander Wilkin post, G.. A. b.,
which was present in body, waved
it's flag and veterans with drum and
fife played an inspiring selection.
Other drums and flies, in the hands of
little boys, aided in the welcome ex-
tended the returning soldiers.
The scene recalled that other scene
a few months ago, when these same
young troopers, some of them dressed
in citizens clothes, went through
Mankato on the way to the front.
That morning was as beautiful as was
this morning, and the same big crowd
was present to give the boys fare
we'll when they were going to the
war, with all the unknown future be-
fore them. Few then thought that
the campaign would be so brief and
bloodless, and it was not known
whether these same boys might not
come back wounded or broken by dis.
ease if they ever came back. But the
proves of the first expeditions was
such that they were not needed for
active service, and the summer was
spent in the great camp of instruction
at Chickamauga. The boys return,
not as demonstrative as when they
went forward last spring, but cheer
full and happy. They are sun burn
ed lot of stalwart young troopers, who
have been drilled and disciplined un.
til they now form part of one of the
most effective armies in existence.
The surplus flesh has been removed,
and muscle has taken it's place, and
they present a picture of health.
While some have very naturally suf-
fered from illness, and few were left
behind in the ,hospitals, it would be
hard to find stronger looking set Of
men than those who went through
Mankato this morning on the train.
Five coaches and two baggage cars
comprised the train, and it carried
the St. James, Blue Earth City and
Fairmont, companies. The Mankato
boys in the New Ulm company also
returned, being Sergt. Frisbie Pope,
John Mansfield, Will Burgess, James
Girvin andi Schuyler Hawkes.. The
latter did,not come on the train, but
rode Major Mead's horse, Turk, over
from New Ulm today. The Mankato
boys were welcomed home by friends
and relatives.
The train remained at the depot
ten or fifteen minutes. Wilkin Post
filed along the platform in front OF
the train, and gave three cheers for
the returning troops. Some of the
troopers found acquaintance on the
platform, who grasped them by the
hands and extended warm greetings.
The train was, soon attached to the
Gilmore train, and was soon steaming
along to the destinations of'the three
companies.
The tents are left up at New Ulm,
and details from the various
companies will do guard
duty. The Mankato boys will return
to do their share Of this when their
turn comes. Except for this, their
furlough extends for thirty days. 1t
will probably be determined b. that
time whether they are to be muster
ed out at once or sent somewhere to
do garrison duty.
Another special train went east on
the C. & NV. main line later. This.
train carried the Waseca, Austin,
Foribault and two Winona companies.
The car containing the Faribault
company was switched off at Manka-
to junction. and arrived in this city at
$50 a. 10. 1t was met by Wilkin Post
and the company was escorted to the
city hall, where the guns and KNAPP
sacks were left. The post took charge
of the entertainment of the company
until it left on the M. & st. L. train
at 2:2O p. m. The company numbered
sixty men, and with it was Major Geo.
S. Whitney, and the sergeant major
of the regiment The company was
divided into six detachments of ten
men each, and one detachment each
was sent to The Saulpaugh, Clifton
House, Stahl House, City Hotel, Com
mercial House and American House.
The post assumed the expense of en-
tertainment, and will solicit the nee.