Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-05-06
SOLDIER BOYS
OFF 70 war.
Bismarck Soldier Boys Leave the
City Monday Morning to Join the
Army Of Volunteers.
Magnificent Farewell Demonstration
at the Depot Before the
Special Train Leaves.
Large Meeting at the Presbyterian
Church Last Night In Honor
of their Departure.

The shrill, clear notes of a bugle
ringing out on the crisp morning air at
B O'Clock Monday, reused the members of
the company from their sleep and re-
minded them they we're no longer citi-
zens in civil life, to obey their inclina-
lions alone, but soldiers of the state of
North Dakota, and soon to be enrolled
with the 125,O0O volunteers called by
Uncle Sam to drive the Spanish from
the western hemisphere.
Soon bluecoate6 and uniformed men,
bers of the company we're to be seen
marching from all directions to the
armory. Enthusiastic citizens rang the
fire bell with vigor enough to convey
the impression that the whole town was
ablaze, and steam whistles lent their
shrill voices to the general uproar.
At the depot a special train of seven
coaches stood and an engine putting
and ready to carry off the soldier boys
to the place of rendezvous.
At the armory all was business. The
boys took their last look at the drill hall
where they have put in many hours,
packed their belongings, buckled on
their side arms, shouldered their musk
cts, received their final instructions, and
formed in line ready to march to the
train.
The members of the local G. A. r..
post-the boys of '61-met at the armory
and stood in line ready to escort the
boys of '9s. It was an inspiring, a
pathetic sight, to see the grizzled veter-
ans Of the civil "a marching at the
head of the column of stalwart, erect,
athletic and vigorous soldiery, prepared
to encounter the hardships that fell to
the lot of the, old. soldiers thirty odd
years ago, and for the same cause-hag
and country. ~,
At the depot at 6 O'Clock in the morn
ing there was already a good sized
crowd, which was rapidly swelled until
the crowd covered the entire platform
so thickly that vigorous elbowing was
necessary to make a way through the
throng. Friends and relatives of the
members Of the company came to see
the boys depart and say their last good
byes, and the whole city turned out to
do the boys honor. And certainly they
were deserving of it. It was such a
company as any community might be
proud of. 1t was such a company as
composes the flower of the citizen SOL
diery.
Down the street from the armory
came the soldier boys, marching in
double file, while ahead of the soldiers
the members of the grand army, the
procession led by the local band which
played lively airs. In the square in
front of the Sheridan the members of
the grand army stood in line and un-
covered, while the volunteers in blue
marched past. ringing cheer went up
from the crowd, and the enthusiasm
swelled as the boys marched through
the crowd, stood in line at command
and waited for the order to board the
train.
Then came the good byes. AS the
boys stood in line, relatives and friends
passed in front of the company and
shook hand with the soldiers. Mothers
and fathers took their sons aside and
babe them fearful farewells. It was a
pathetic scene-a stirring reminder of
the days of civil war, and a new genera
ton was about to go out to battle. There
were few dry eyes in the crowd. Even
those who had no relatives among the
company were hardly able to restrain
their tears as they said good bye to the
boys. Men whose eyes are not easily
flooded went about with suspicious
tears on their cheeks, choking threats as
they shook the hands of the soldiers.
And the members of the company. were
moved-deeply moved. As the train
pulled out, one member of the company
stood on the platform, his rifle at q
shoulder, and his face wet with tears at
the thought of the associations of home
which were ruthlessly destroyed by the
call to arms. And yet there was. not a
man who could have been induced by
any consideration to have staid behind.
They were willing to go-eager to 60
and proud to go.
AS the company stood in, line. q dele
CATION Of ladies passed along the line
and pinned bouquets upon the coats Of
the soldiers, shook hands with all Of
them'and wished them$G God speed. Aud
the boys replied with three rousine
cheers for the ladies.
I 80 - N 49, AaT-rFsa