Evening star., 1898-09-10
HOME AND HAPPY
Brave Boys of the District Regiment
Enjoying Life Again.
CLOSING SCENES OF THE RECEPTION
A Fitting Finale to an Unparalleled
Demonstration.
SONG AND SENTIM EN- T

There never was anything like it. 1t is a
certainty that a poll Of the population of
the national capital to secure its opinion
about the reception to the District regiment
yesterday would, if taken, show unanimous
approval of that assertion. Washington
simply covered itself over with glory, and
none who participated in the grand event,
either as spectator or soldier will ever
forget it. And the more it is studied and
thought over the more stupendous it viii
seem Truly, there was never anything like
it. The march of the regiment from the
point of Decentralization to the place of dis
banding was accompanied by the most
markable demonstration ever in this
city of notable ones. growing in fervor with
every step forward, and in the days to
come the bosom of every one of the brave
boys who were thus honored by their fell
low citizens will throb with delightful emo
uon when he looks back to September 8,
1NS'S. 1t was plainly evident during the
march that the feelings of the heroes were
being very much aroused by the tremen-
Gpus tributes of the crowds and as the
regiment turned into 18th street the climax
was reached and the effort on the part of
the soldiers to preserve at least an outward
appearance of ca!mness was even more
abUndanuy apparent.
Brave Eyes Grow fearful!
orally alive with people. while upon the
portico was grouped a chorus of several
hundred young ladies, all of them gaiIy
dressed ana each one waving a flag and
Haley Band, under the leadership of
Percy S Foster. As the regiment turned
ncrthward the chorus began q song that
brought the tears to the eyes of MANY of
the boys. 1t was Home. Sweet Home"
sung with all the strength and fervor and
sweetness Of the young voices that made
Up the chorus and the tired and worn
and travel-stained soldier boys marched
by with tagging feet and dropping heads
1t seemed to Put new life in them. Many
OF them did not seem to mind the tears
that were streaming Down their faces and
all intently listened the sweet strains
foated out on the air As sCon as this
number was finished the chorus started in
with The Star SDdngled Banner" and
again the melody seemed to revive those
who Were still ploGding along, painfully
and slowly, but with eager anticipation
written in every line OF their faces now
that the end of the long journey in
sight.
As the column approached the east gate
Of the White House grounds on Pennsyl-
vaEid avenue the companies broke into
columns of fOurs. making a left turn and
entering the grounds there
Reviewed by the President.
The head of the column reached the
White House at 3:45 o'clock, Colonel Har-
res ara tNpSt Win MN DelnS Cheered luStl-
ly as they passed before President McKin-
ley, who was standing with barred head and
a face agIow with approval
With President Mckinley were Secre-
taries Gage and Wilson, Postmaster Cen
eral Smith. Mr.. Meiklejohn. acting secre-
tary Of war; General COrbin, General
Haines. General Wilson, Captain Barker.
now commanding the Oregon. and mem
bers Of the reception committee.
Mrs Mckinley, with party of friends.
occupied the east room while the President
stood on the portico reviewing the troops
and witnessed the scene from the windows.
President Led the Applause.
From the time the first soldiers reached
the President until the last carriage con-
tanning the sick passed there was a grand
ovation The President himself several
times directed the applause which broke
forth with so much vIgor and earnestness
The President stood with hat in hand and
bowed TO every file of soldiers and squad of
sick men His face frequently showed the
intense admiration he felt for the brave
men slowly marching in front of him Tho
faces Of the sick men lighted up with pleas
ure at the sight of the chief executive Of
'he nation they loved dearly and had
served so well
When the procession had passed a ire
mendoUs cheer was given for the President
ana ne responded in that graceful manner
winch always Charac-erizes his apprecia-
!t'h OF such tokens Of the peoples affec-
tUn-
Touching Incident
one memorable incident occurred A sick
soidleT closely clasped his bouquet of flow
eTs until he reached the President. FeebIv
raising himself he tossed the bouquet di-
rectly at the President. The President saw
the act and reached out. catching the flow
eiS- Ihe President retained the flowers
ana carried them to his desk, saying that
he would keep them.
Proceeding from the White Horse tho
regiment marched through Executive 49,
nCe iu the grounds in the rear wh.re rho
routine 81 turning the property of the. regi-
meHt over to the government WIS pGIe
tIi!"teh with ana the regiment diSl,auded
the tired heroes fastening away with Iovad
ones 10 feel again the blessings and com
IgTt "i their homes. But before they went
they We're overwhelmed with all sorts rf
eHcearmsnts right there in the open air. for
Their loved ones had permitted no further
restraint ana the guardians Of the grounds
ClpSta Their eyes and let the crowd come
In The announcement to the men that
they would be excused until Monday after
noon at o'clock. when they arr tn D..
formally fur!oughed for sixty davs va
greeted with cheers. and with their blanket
several ways
Escort Reviewed by Gen. Miles.
The escort Of the District regiment did
not marcn through the White House
turned off into Madison place. past the
Lafayette Square Opera House and the
Arlington Hotel out Vermont avenue to NJ
street. followed by a large crowd The es-
ccrt marched out n street to Connecticut
avenue. and then made sharp turn going
east on Rhode Island avenue where the
residence Of Gen. Nelson A. Miles is situ-
at"d- As the head of the procession came
abreast Of the residence at 10. 172S Rhode
Island avenue. Gen. Miles. in full uniform.
appeared at the roof of the bay window
even with the third floor. and viewed the
parade. returning all salutes. The band
struck uP Hail 10 the Chief" and a num-
Der OF persons in the crowd gave him "A
hand-clappiEg, but the procession did not
stop The lire Of march was Continued out
Rhode Island avenue 10 lG:h street. south
10 n street. thence east TO 10Th street and
south TO PeEnsy yivariu avenue. In front of
the Columbian University the organiza-
uons PASSED in review before the command
Ing officer and his staff.
WHAT MISS LETTER WILL DO.