Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-10-06
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT
The Return of the First and
Second Battalions.
OVER 500 MEN IN THE COMMANDS
Route of March Lined With
Z" Their Friends.
Tho Troops Will Report at the Armory ut
Nine O'Clock Each Mornine Until They
Are Furiousheu, aud Their Meals VIII bs
Served Mt the Pyle Cycling Academy.

4 rlrSI ana SECOND baJIillOnS OF Inc
First Delaware Regiment, United
States Volunteers, marched from the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti-
more railroad station Monday after.
noon to- the State Armory at Twelfth
and Orange streets. At the head Of
ths procession were two mounted
police officers and a platoon Of police
on foot in charge of Sergeants Massey
and Lucas.
Then came the First Regiment Band,
secured by Mayor McLear to aid in
welcoming the boys home
AT the head Of his men rode Col
Walter III. Gordon, who will take
charge of the Third Battalion, which
will remain in service, as its major.
He was accompanied by Regimental
Adjutant John M. Dunn and Chaplain
+. M. Munson.
The Regimenta band followed.
Leading the two battalions was
Lieut.. Col. Charles M. Stevenson with
Surgeon j. l.. France and Battalion
Adjutant George B. Rodney.
In the First Battalion, the companies
marched in the following order:
Co. q, Capt. Matlack.
Co. X, Capt. Rutan.
Co. Il, First Lieutenant Wheatley.
Co. #, Capt Brennan.
In command Of the Second Battalion
was Major Theodore Townsend, the
companies which comprised the bat
talon being: ~
Co. l, First Lieutenant Wootten.
Go. II, First Lieutenant Holcomb.
Co. ID, First Lieutenant Sasse.
Col, First Lieutenant Fox of Co. @. {,
Capt Rogers of CO. H is at his home
in New Castle on account OF q broken
leg. Capts. Curtis of Co. j, Osborn of
Co. | and Hossinger of Co. L, and
Lieuts. Hegeman OF Co. and Henry
of Co. L are still at Camp Meade, en-
gagged on court-martial work, but will
probably be home tonight Capt.
Carter Of Co. A is in command of the
Third Battalion at Camp Meade, dur
ing the absence OF Col. Gordon, who
will remain here until the men secure
their furloughs. 1t is expected that
the men will be paid off and fur
Laughed, after turning in the govern
ment property, within two or three
days.
The total strength of the above
enumerated companies and staff was
$50 men and % officers, and they are
generally in good health.
They had left Camp Meade in rain.
When they reached Wilmington the day
had become bright, but the weather
was very close The men have not been
marching much of late and found the
experience of yesterdays short parade
under the weight of their heavy march
ing order rather uncomfortable. Nearly
every man carried his blanket over his
shoulder. They were much changed
from their appearance of little more
than five months ago, when many Of
them loft this city for the camp at
Middletown. In their brown service
caps, with sun-burned faces, they
looked like veterans as they marched
up Market street.
When the head of the line was in
sight of the City Hall, the bell in the
old tower was rung generously and its
loud welcome continued until the line
had passed On the front steps of the
building, stood Mayor Henry G.. Nc
Lear, who welcomed the soldier boys
by clapping his hands. There was no
formal speechmaking. When the troops
reached the armory, the Phoenix bell
in the enginehouse at Twelfth and
King streets, was rung in their honor,
and the Phoenix fire engine, which was
stationed at Twelfth and Orange streets,
raised IN ear-splitting racket with its
whistle.
A great crowd massed at the corners
contiguous to the armory but the police
kept the crowd back to permit the
soldiers to march into the building.
There they were allowed 10 rest in the
drill room.
ICE WATER WOULD HAVE BEEN WELCOME.
1t was Just at that point that a tub
o. lemonade or of ice water would have
contributed very largely to their en-
joylnent at having come thus far home.
But there was no ice water or lemonade,
and apparently not even bucket to
carry water in from a spigot to the
perspiripg and thirsty men. Some who
were allowed to leave the drill floor
found the hydrants and helped thein-
selves. Several were beard to inquire
whether they were to have anything to
eat,
They were not kept in the armory
long, for Col. Gordon appeared on the
floor of the drill room and securing
their attention, announced that supper
would be served at the Pyle Cycling
Academy, Tenth and Orange streets at
$40 O'Clock, breakfast at $50 and
dinner at H. and that every man would
be required to report at the urmory
each morning at 8 o'clock until fur
Laughed. Company captains are to re-
port absentees. He admonished the
soldiers to acquit themselves with
credit, as they had done in the past,
''as becomes soldiers Of this country
and citizens of this glorious little
State.
The colonel's words were greeted
with a warm manifestation of approval
by the soldiers who clapped their hands
and pounded the floor with their feet,
and then broke ranks, free to go where
they pleased. They had also been told
by the colonel that those who desired
could sleep at tho armory while await,
ing their furloughs. A number of the
men were retained in the building for
guard duty Capt. Rutan of Co. X
was officer of the day and Lieut.. Vir-
den Of Co. Il was officer of the guard.
those who were free left the build
ing and in many cases we've soon in the
hands of their friends and home folks
who bore them off with great happi-
ness to a good square meal at home.
The soldiers whose homes are here paid
little heed to the supper at the cycling
academy last evening, but it was very
acceptable to those who reside in other
parts of the State. The supper was
served by A. L. Ainscow and COM
prised warm meats, sliced tomatoes,
potatoes, coffee and bread and butter.
At the five tables provided there was
plenty of room for all. About 275 men
were served.
The health OF the men is good.
Tbraa banana cict hnwevar at tho