The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-16

their country. What tears they shed were
for the most part those of joyous pride and
enthusiasm. 1t was noticeable feature of
the occasion that there was no weeping, at
least in public. on the part of the wives of
the officers who came TO bid their husbands
goodbye. In nearly every case, only smiles
and cheering words were spoken, although
in some cases, as in that of Captain Curtis,
of Battery A, when it came to the parting
with the little ones, the effort of both hus-
band and wife was always difficult. Dinner
time came and passed-in the case of many
of the boys unheeded-their emotions being
stronger than their appetites,
From early dawn when reVeille called them
from their slumberS the boys were busy
preparing to leave the place which has
served them a home for over two weeks.
First of all came the dragging out of bed
ticks, the contents of which were piled in
heaps about the camp. This was at once
set on fire, and the early morning hours
before breakfast found the camp enveloped
in dense mass of smoke. Shortly after
O'Clock the tents were struck, and then
everyone realized that the much-delayed
hour of departure was close at hand. AS
the tents came down the large drays en-
gagged for the occasion backed up and
loaded on board the baggage and equip
ment Of the troops. Clothes were brushed
up that for two weeks had been innocent of
all contact with anything in the shape of a
cleanser. Difficult and laborious operations
in the way of shoe polishing were super
fictally INDUCED in by some of the boys,
but In most cases the soldiers were content
to pack their knapsacks and sit on them
while entertaining friends or lounge around
waiting for orders.
The mail boxes were extraordinarily we'll
filled yesterday. for nearly every man had
some one at home to whom he wished to
impart the news that he was about to start
for the front. Shortly after IL O'Clock Col.
Studebaker gathered his men together ac-
cording to his announced plan and pre-
that the men would not go until they had
received their pay. Captain Curtis, too,
had about given up all hope of being able TO
see his men paid off, and was getting ready
to follow the lead of Colonel Studebaker
and depart for the long march through the
about to be given Adjutant General Gore,
with Colonel McGrew and the whole pay
masters staff from the Statehouse, dashed
up in a carriage and announced that as soon
as Colonel Gunder could provide guard
the money for the soldiers would be paid
out. In the shortest time on record the
proper guard was detailed, and in alpha
betical order the companies of the Third
Regiment were given the money that was
due them from the State. This, OF course,
caused delay in the programme, but no
one, with the exception of those lined up
along Meridian street to see the parade, felt
visibly hurt because the march to the
depot did not come off on schedule time.
About three hours were consumed in pay
ing off the men in the Third Regiment and
both batteries, and it was 4:2U when at last
Colonel Studebaker gave the word of COM
mand and the regiment fell into line, and
with band playing and colors flying passed
out of the big fair grounds gate on the
long march to the train drawn up in wait
ing for them on South street. AS the boys
passed out from the place that has been
the scene of some discomfort, but much in
the way of happiness and good-felowshp, a
mighty shout went up which continued to
the accompaniment of waving flags until
the last soldier had passed beyond the
gates, and nearly every man, woman and
child on the grounds was hoarse and tired.
Old soldiers present stated that never in
their recollection had such small body
of troops received such an ovation that
given to the boys yesterday From the
proverbial kid to the hoary and grizzled
veteran every one seemed to be crazed
with enthusiasm. and many man walked
h9rpha1np6 hQC1nSp mi n
his excitement, he cast his headgear high
in the air. No one regretted the day. how
ever, least of all the boys who were the
recipients of the magnificent tribute ex-
tended to them by their fellow-A Americans.