Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-30
WITH THE MAINE TROOPS.
Continued from page ID

the cheers of the crowd.
In Wells there was another demon
stration that was very similar to those
the boys had received all along the
the station. BY this time the boys
were getting tired and settled them
selves down for a nights rest. The
heat from so many men in the cars
overCame the necessity for other
warmth and the men passed a very
comfortable night in spite OF the
crampcd quarters and angles into
which they twisted themselves while
sleeping.
over 1000 men were on the platform
or the immediate vicinity of the sta
ton to welcome the men in Worcester.
Here fiat cars were rolled along side
the train and on these the sandwiches.
hot coffee and fruit which were pro-
vided were served. Never did men
drink hot coffee with more avidity.
The pint allowance seemed not more
than Il mouthful. The cans of coffee
were placed aboard the train here and
at Springfield, where the cans were left
to be shipped. back 10 Worcester the
men felt once more as they had been
returned to civilization.
This Fart of the trip over the men
settled back onto the blanket rolls.
More than one man in his sleep spoke
the name Of some one nearer and dear
e to him than father. mother or sister,
and yet no one who was awake
All had more serious thoughts and I'M
der the cover of darkness those who
We're awake made no attempt to stop
the tears that would come and How
down their cheeks.
The nights rest and the lunch that
had been served found the men in
splendid shape when they reached Al
bany AZ day hrea ak. Their clothes had
partially d:icd out and no suffering
was felt on account Of the cold.
The run down the west shore of the
Hudson TO WeehaWken was without
incident of note. Many were disap-
pointed that the cloudy weather af-
fccted the beauty of the landscape. bat
so long as the men We're not out in the
damp that affected them but little.
Al Philadelphia the men were given
another send off and again their spirits
rose. It was after s o'clock when the
men arrived iii this city. In this part
Of the country we saw the difference
between the feeling of the people here
ard in our own State. In Maine while
the people have the patriotic feeling
they make but very little show Of il.
| Here every one is wild and every man
open mouth shows a sound of cheering
that does not reach us.
1t was l13o Saturday night. before the
train reached Washington. but contrary
to the expectations of an the men were
not allowed to leave the train. 1t was
fully expected that the troops would be
permitted to march through the city. Not
that the men wanted to show themselves
but in order that they might be allowed
to stretch their legs. The confinement in
the train with only 30-foot aisle rs II
| place for exercise was becoming rather
hard on the men and it Was their hope
that they might have a little chance for
exercise. This was not permitted how
| ever.
! Ky this time the men We're far enough
| from home to appreciate the pleasure of
meeting a man from home whether he
was the man who is respected 10y the
! House of Representatives or whether he
was only a man who was there as a wage
Garner. 1t became the choice Of the men
on the train to fan in with the men or
the former class. These men, Of whom
All had heard with the greatest Difference
and whose names they had learned to re
| Apcct and admire, met the train at the
Washington switch ana raised their hats.
Wishing the boys in blue Godspecd
No sooner lad the train reached Wash
ington switch than Speaker Reed, CON
| Srcssmen Boutcile and Burleigh. who
headed the Maine colony in Washington
| crowded around the train and chcercd
the men with will The officers crowded
TO the platforms of the cars and Col Ken
dali almost felt that he was back in the
| Pine Tree State as he graspcd the hands
Of the men who had been reared in the
same State.
With 4 parting grasp of the hand. the
officers hurried back to the platform Of
tn" ears, and as the train pulled out of
the station the boys in blue felt that they
were siGnally honored and partially paid
for their sacrifices by having such distin-
guished men as those on the platform,
who help rule the nation. regard them
with respect.
This greeting and parting over. the boys
| felt that they had left the last Maine men
| they would see for some time at least
The officers settled down more thoughtful
than usual. and the line men began to
realize the sacrifices they had made, since
there were now tokens of respect from
such men whom they had been accus-
toned to hold in the highest respect And