Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-24
RICHMOND ~ THE PLACE.
Thirty Thousand Troops to He NobI-
HEED at the EIposItion-Crounds.

He'd at the EIpositiOn-GrOunds.
Richmond has been selected by tho
United States War Department as
place for the mobilization Of troops who
are being mustered into service for the
United States army. and advlces received
here last night from Washington an
uOunce that at least 90 600 soldiers will he
eucamped here within the next few days.
1t had been eXpected that Richmond
would be selected BY the War Depart
ment the Governor having few days
since written TO Secretary Algor and
asked that the troops be sent here 30
assured the Secretary that there waro
ample accommodations here for the men.
and this letter he entrusted TO Assistant
mspectOr-Ccneral 10 Lane Stern. who.
armed also with a letter commencing tho
scheme from General tltZhugh Lee.
went 20 Washington
Colonel Stern obtained a personal IN
terview with Secretary Alger who, after
| reading the letters Of Governor Tyler
and General Lee and hearing what colo
mel Stern had TO say, expressed himself
| as being well pleased with the proposi-
ton. While he gave no assurance that
the troops would be sent here. CoioIei
Stern left. feeling well 'otished that
Richmond would be given favorable col
| sideration; hence when he was told fst
night that the troops would be sent hare
| no expressed no surprise.
ON THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The plan contemplated by the Govsynor
IS 20 mobilize the troops in the LXpCsi-
lion. Grounds. on west Broad street. and
10 camp them on the Scott property ad-
| iaccnt thereto, ~ more are sent here than
| can be accommodated on tho sixty acres
within the Exposition enclosure.
within the Expositi9n-Ggounds are
several buildings, including the .mmonse
auditorium erected two years ago FOR tho
accommodation Of the Confederate Vote
rams. who held their reunion hera. and
this building alone can accommodate
several thousand men. The others will
have TO be euclmped I'm tents around
about the property.
The EXposlti0n-GrOuuds were purchased
| some time ago by party Of Gentismcn'
headed by Mr. John l.. williams and the
| idea OF modelling the troops here origi-
mated with Mr. WILLIAMS WHO waited
upon the Governor, and calling his alton
| ton TO the beaeft that would derive
from having the soldiers here. rendered
the use of the grounds for That purpose.
| Then IL was that the Governor decided
! 10 act IA inc matter hlA'A no NiAVt - WV
supplemented by those or General Lee
and the business organizations here.
WILL COME ~ A DAY OR 50.
II IS expected that the troops will be-
| Gin 20 arrive here Tomorrow or the next
| Inv and IT Is more than likely that the
Richmond troops who age mustered INTO
service viii be required 10 50 nto camp
,cith the rest Of the men. The soldiers
Mil be subjected 20 strict discipline dur
lng their encampment, and viii probably
he kept here Tor three or iOur weeks.
until they can be equipped for active ser
vice I'm Cuba.
IL the announcement that - 90 men will
De sent here be- true, it VIII mean =
great deal FOR Richmond. as the revenue
that will be derived from 50 largs body
of men will give the mercantile business
OF the city "a great impetus.
Governor Tyler and General Lee were
Informed OF the decision OF the Secretary
| OF War as soon as IL WAS received mere.
and both expressed themselves Ms being
well pleased that their proposition lad
met with such a hearty response.
IL is more than likely that the army 10
be rnassed here viii be that which will
bee assigned 10 General Lee and instead
OF going 20 Washington Tor his COM
rnand. no will simply begin his march 10
the front from this city.