The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-17
BATTALI0NS
MUSTERED OUT.
And Soldier Boys Are
Once More Ordinary
Citizens.

there have been at any time for month,
and seven hundred young men Of this city
aud points down the state resumed their
places In their respective communities as
plain ordinary citizens Of the common
wealth. The majority Of them are happy
at the change In affaiss but there are few
who would enlist to day to 60 to the front
II they were given the opportunity. The
men were members of tho first and second
battalions, First Delaware Regiment and
they have been waiting to take their plass
as ordinary citizens fora month.
There was little ceremony about the work
of mastering the company out of service.
The mon assembled at the armory In
obedience to orders at Z clock. They had
reported go ofton and boon subjected to so
many disappointmsnts recently that they
did not know what to think Of the matter.
There were many doubters among them
and there were some who hardly believed
they were to get out Of tho service even
when the officers appeared In the armory.
When they were ordered to fall in line
uuu L HlhSlCE MAUI Akououoh "AVh "
huge stack Of bills and silver took his place
at desk, smile such as has rot been seen
on the faces Of the men sinoo tho memor.
able visit Of the payMaster at Camp Meade
covered every face. Then the roll was
called and each man faced the paymastor
and received the cash due him for his last
month and fifteen days OF service Later
they wsre called up again and paid the
amounts due them for rations during the
time they have been on waiting orders
here.
There were many surprises in store for
the men. Not one Of them knew just how
mnoh money he was to receive and when
the amounts were made known there were
more happy smiles. Few men received les q
than $50 and the average was about s55,
some Of them getting as much as SO or SsO.
The sum Of about SIS, 900 was required to
pay all the men. In addition to the amt cunt
due for service during the forty.soven days
since the last pay the men received ration
money at the rate Of 25.csnts per day for
thirty days and fifty cents for the addition.
oil time. They also drew considerable
from tho Government on their clothing
accounts. Thoso who drew the least
amount Of clothing during their torn OF
service received the most money, Some OF
them getting as much Us $40 On this item
alone.
Aftor the paying had been accomplished,
Major Andruss. Lieutenant Alexander
and Captain Settle, Viewed the men and
all wero handed their discharges. hand.
sonely cngrossed upon parchment. Then
tho soldiers became citizens only and att
late hour left the armory.
During the evening, after the pay had
been received there was much squarlng up
Of debts among the men and there were q
few who had very little cash remaining
when they had settled all their accounts
While they were serving their last days ut
Camp Meade there was season OF flnan.
cial depression and the man with cash
was the most sought after There were
loans Of every variety to be repaid and 1t
is said every man paid up before the men
had separated.
Many Of the out -of-town mon left for
homo last evening, but there were few
who remained in town and are here to-
day. Some Of them are being separated
from their money In rapid STYLE but there
are others who have saved nearly the en-
tire amount. The cash received by each |
makes q neat sum for him to resume lie
as u private citizen.
The battalion which has been mus.
tered out of the service. although it had no
actual fighting, had record which cannot |
be excolled by any company In the service,
regular or volunteer. 1t Is composed Of |
gentlemen throughout and man who, In
the service Of the National Governments,
have made record Of which they may we'll
feel proud.
Colonel Gordon will resume bis place In /
the regular army, or he may be sworn in
rs major of the Third Bait alton, as he
holds the Governer's commission for that
position.
The Third Battalion of tho regiment Is
still on furlough and the .nusteriLg out
board will continue on duty to close up its
affairs. 1t is to report ON December 10th
and be mustered out the following week.
Regimental Quartermastcr Harry V.
Bootes will leave Wilmington Tomorrow
for New York 10 report for duty rs clerk
to the quartermaster on the transport
which will shortly 60 to