The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-16

Route to ChfcaSO-Citizens Bade
Them an Informal Farewell at
Smith Park-It Is Expected They
VIII Be Sent South at an Early
Date.
The Fifteenth regiment broke camp
at Fort Smelling early yesterday morn
ing, and by 4:30 o'clock in the after
noon the soldiers were on their way to
Camp Meade 1t was busy day for
officers and men, but, in the anticipa-
ton of new scenes and the encourage
ment of friends in their goodbyes, the
members Of the regiment found pleas
ure that made them forget the tire
some work of the morning, and covered
the 1sgret, If any there was, at leaving
home.
At Smith park the departing soldiers
were given a cordial reception, while
cheering crowds followed them to the
depot, to bid them a final Godspeed.
Nothing was left undone by the COM
mittee looking to the comfort of the
men. Everywhere at the park women
of the Red Cross and members of
the Commercial club were among the
waiting soldiers, providing them with
refreshments, adorning them with flow
ers and speaking words of encourage
ment wherever there appeared a face
made serious by the prospect of going
from home. To the soldiers this evil
dence Of interest in their welfare by
the citizens of ST. Paul was an ap-
preAated sOlace for some of the pri-
Yates of army life, and made them
feel that they were not the only pa
triots. In fact, the plans of the citi-
zens and members Of the Red Cross
were more successfully carried out in
bidding farewell to the Fifteenth regi-
ment than when any of the other Min
nesota regiments went away, and the
departing soldiers will undoubtedly al
ways cherish the remembrance of SYM
pathetic interest shown them by the
people Of this city as, perhaps, the
brightest spot in their service to the
flag.
TROOPS ROSE EARLY.
When the~4-o'clock reveille sounded
at the fort yesterday morning, many
of the soldiers were already stirring,
and, half an hour later, when all were
hurrying here and there, executing
countless orders and looking to the
many small matters that had to be
attended, the camp was a busy scene.
For several hours everything was in q
furry, but by 10 o'clock the men were
in readiness for the start to town.
There was some delay, however, in
loading the baggage, and for two hours
the soldiers waited impatiently for the
word to move. Shortly after II o'clock
the order was given, and the First bat
talon left the camp. The Second bat
talon followed as soon as the last de-
tachment Of the First had left, and
half an hour later the Third battalion
was on It's way to the park. The men
were equipped in heavy marching or
der, each carrying part Of a shelter
tent over his shoulders.
The trip to the city was slow, by
reason of the large number of extra
cars, and, though the crowds at Smith
park cheered the arrival Of some of
the soldiers at 1 o'clock, it was nearly
8 o'clock when the last detachment
reached the ground. BY this time the
park was densely crowded. and on the
four sides eager spectators pushed and
jostled each other in the middle Of the
streets. AS the soldiers left the cars
they formed in columns Of fours and
marched into the park. When the en-
tire regiment was in the square, the
First battalion rested on the west side
of the park, the Second battalion on
the south side and the Third battalion
on the north side. Knowing the friends
of their men would be present in large
numbers to bid them goodbye, the
officers placed the companies at rest
so they might freely converse with
those whom they knew and the more
comfortably enjoy the refreshment
which the women Of the entertainment
committees passed among them. Dur
ing the stay in the park the scene was
enlivened by the presence OF the MIN
nesota. State band, which played all
of the natriotic airs and marches. In
the iobbing houses facing the park 1t
appeared as though business hao oeeh
suspended. Every window was a frame
for a group Of dozen or more lllell
and women, who waved hags anu
bandkerchiefs toward the park and
freouentlv gave vent to enthusiastic
cheers.
LUNCH AT SMITH PARK.
The soldiers thoroughly enjoyed the
leave-taking Few gave evidence OF
disinclination to go to Camp Meade
and among the officers all was satis-
faction. as they witnessed the attention
being paid their commands by the
Commercial club and Red Cross COM
mittee These were a busy, cheerful
company of patriotic women for the
most part, though assisted by some Of
the men, and moved about among the
soldiers with smiling faces and words
of encouragement, while dispensing the
refreshment provided, which consisted
of coffee, sandwiches and fruit A regi-
ment, the hostesses found, has an ag-
gregate appetite of some proportions,
and when each of the soldiers had been
supplied, 1900 sandwiches and 125 gal
supplies were procured from the Ryan
hotel. The distribution was problem
for a time, but was solved practically
when large hampers were secured in
which TO carry around the sandwiches,
while sprinkllng cans, with the spray
cap removed, made very serviceaRe
coffee pots. The distribution was sys-
tematically accomplished by special
committees appointed to look after each
battalion. Those in charge, who were
also assisted by corps Of other repre-
sentatives Of the German Red Cross
society the women Of the Commercial