The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-22
Young Men Tell Their Families They
Must Leave Them,
ORGANIZATIONS TO BREAK UP,
1.-THE Plan Proposed for Re-organiz-
inc the Militia is Carried Into IF
feet. the Virginia Brigade WIZ
Lose Its Commandant and
His sStaff-Thc Regiments
May Not be Kept Intact

The reaction hase come.
Those who were loudest I'm cl1mo.ins
Cor war arc. as rule. gradually coming
TO the conclusion that fighting is not
such a good thing after all. The men
who took such great delight in denounc-
ing the President and Congress for de-
laying action. are not rushing forward 20
volunteer to go to Cuba. Nor have those
who burned the President In efiigy offer
ed to fight the battles Of their country.
The militiamen have never been anxious
for war. They have always been ready
to answer the call of their state or their
country, but they have not cried out for
war at any cost
4 DAY OF SUSPENSE.
Yesterday was a day Of great suspense
among those VINO will have TO do the
lighting They did hot know what hour
they would be called out nor where they
would be sent Most OF the volunteers
have made up their minds 10 go where
ever they may be ordered by the state
and Federal authorities. As a rule. they
have made their business arrangements
to leave home for an indefinite period.
In many Richmond homes yesterday,
there were affecting scenes. The family
assembled 10 hear what might have been
practically the parting words OF father
husband and son. Many OF the militia
men are young married men with small
children. They led their wives 10 believe
until Yesterday that there was no danger
of the Richmond troops being ordered out.
The situation became too critical TO long
or conceal the fact that serious times
were at hand. In number of homes
tears were shed when the dreaded news
was confirmed by those who had con-
tended that they would not be ordered
out 20 war
MUCH DISSATISFACTION.
There is much dissatisfaction among
the local military over the existing con-
dltion OF things. In the first place, II IS
not pleasing for the soldiers TO contem-
plate the probable loss Of their brigade
officers. The Federal plan provides that
the President shall name the officers
above the cOmmandants OF regiments. He
NAV or may not give General Phillips a
command. At any rate. IT Is quite evident
that the Virginia brigade VIII not be kept
intact Not only this. but n on the first
call for troops, two or three companies
are taken from each regiment. the regi-
mental organizations, as at present con-
stituted. will be destroyed. Military men
would mucn prefer that an entire regi-
ment be ordered out than that Few com"
panies be taken from each one.
THE LETTER CRITICISED
The letter TO the captains OF companies
directing that a poll of their men be
made to ascertain how many Of them are
perfectly willing TO go TO cuba seems TO
have opened up the way TO some extent
for the military people TO make known
their grievances. one officer speaking Of
this letter said:
II think it was unwlse and unneces-
sary. The men have all volunteered once
and would 60 90 Cuba or anywhere else
tho Governor and President might send
them. Why was II necessary now 10 ask
CONTINUED on Seventh Pagel