La Junta tribune., 1898-06-08
taoa 81, I's,l olo 'y,I,Rc,.,A.
Interesting Letter From, u janta,ts
Now on the Atlantic seabesrd.
PORTSMOUTH, Va, I
Nav Al, 'QS.

s May 81, 90.
EDITOR TRrBuNE:-Thinking that
a few lines from La Junta rubber
neck, or tourist, might be OF inter-
est, will give you brief account Of
my journey after crossing Hamp-
ton Roads and landing at Ports
mouth. Nothing occurred to vary
the monotony of long railway
journey, except at several stations
along the route a few militiamen
boarding the train hurrying to their
respective state camps, while others
were on their way to join the regu-
lars at Tampa. l stopped over at
Niagara Falls, Ont. Was there
on the 24th of May, the Queens
birthday and their national holiday.
The united feeling during the
present war, of the English speak
ing race, was beautifully exempli-
fled on that day. The mayor of
Niagara Falls, Ont, extended an
invitation to the mayor, aldermen
and citizens of Niagara Falls, N.
Y, to join with them in celebrating
their national holiday, and their
invitation was gracefully accepted.
The Canadian band and city Off
cials met the Americans midway of
the new steel arch bridge and es-
corted them to their division in the
parade. The scenes that were en-
acted that day will long be remem-
bered by those who witnessed
them. With bands playing ma
tional airs of both countries, and
the Stars and Stripes and Union
Jack flying side by side from the
carriages and in the
parade aroused enthusiasm to the
highest pitch, which produced
a bond of friendship between the
two cities, while it also possessed
an international significance.
From Queenstown, below Mia
CARA Falls, l took a steamer and
crossed Lake Ontario and went
few hundred miles by rail into the
interior OF Ontario; but will omit
the journey by rail until l arrive at
Md, where war scenes
were enacted. l had secured pas
sage on one Of the fine steamers of
the Chesapeake Line, and on my
arrival at the wharf found the docks
crowded with eager and excited
people. Four companies of the
Maryland National Guards were
embarking for the south. The
wives and sweethearts Of
the soldier boys were there to bid
them goodbye; many there were
who could not restrain their tears
and quite a number tainted as the
boat showed off from the docks.
As we sailed down the bay many
cheers were given for the boys on
their perilous journey by the crowds
lining the water edge, assisted by
the whistles Of the passing steam
ers and the lowering of flags on
foreign vessels in the harbor.
After twelve hours on board we
passed Fortress Monroe and stopped
at Old Point Comfort, where the
soldiers 60 ashore. We next ar
rive at Norfolk and cross over to
Portsmouth, a typical southern
city, containing many old buildings
erected long "befo de wah." Here
is a large monument erected to the
Confederate dead, also the Norfolk
navy yards. While taking in the
sights met F. M. Henderson, an
old citizen Of La Junta, who worked
in the A. T. and S. F. shops and
is we'll known by many of the boys
We went up to Richmond, Va,
together on Memorial day, visited
Camp Lee, and viewed the parade
in the afternoon. The United
States troops taking part were fol-
lowed by the Confederate veterans
in gray. Within half mile Of the
cemetery the United States troops
halted and the old veterans, headed
by a band, marched through the
4 Al.