Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-12
THE PETERsRrRG BOYs.

The Petersburg lads came I'm over the
Coast-Line. at 40 y. NJ. and were also
met at the depot by Lieutenant Masu-
rier's detachment. The Petersburg Grays'
Band and the a. +. Hill Camp drum
corps accompanied the lads 10 this city
and heading the procession, marched up
Seventh to Broad street. large and
enthusiastic crowd of patriotic citizens
thronged the sidewalks along the route
and cheered literally for the boys in
blue.
Captain Montgomery c. Jackson was in
command of the company, and at First
and Broad streets ne halted his men, and
dismissing his escort. boarded the cars
for the camp, stating TO Dispatch man
at the time that while he expected 20
do a great deal OF marching in CUBA he
did not propose 10 put his men to such
violent exercise "this early in the game.
At cle camp the boys from the Cockade
CITY were assigned 20 the half Of the
hall Immediately i'm rear Of the Staun-
tonians. and were given rousing recep-
tion. The Grays' Band. in acknowledge
ment of the courtesy shown the Riiies,
gave a concert In the building, and
stirred the soldier lads up to high state
of enthusiasm. "DiXie" ana yankee
Doodle" being received with resoundlng
cheers.
SUPPER FOR THE BOYS.
The new arrivals were given supper in
the mess hall and returned TO their
quarters loud in their praise of the hos
pitabIe manner In which they had been
received. After supper the men assem-
bled i'm the auditorium, and camp life
began with them i'm earnest. Each man
was made 10 stand in quarters and an
swer to his name, and as he did so he
stepped forward, and was presented with
a blanket by the commissary, as dona-
tion from Uncle sam.
The Staunton boys We're pretty well
tagged out after their journey. and as
many of them had had an opportunity
during the afternoon Of visiting the city,
the maiOrity of them turned in. Not so,
however. with the Petersburg boys. They
were not a bit tired after their short trip,
and were i'm for fun. Captain Jackson
ordered them to remain i'm camp, telling
them that taps sounded at II o'clock.
The boys however, begged hard TO be
permitted TO come downtown. and when
they promised faithfully 10 be back be-
fore the eleventh hour the Captain re-
Tented and gave the permission desired.
He informed the men whose names be-
gin with \ and b that they would be
wanted for guard duty whereupOn some
young man whose name began with G.
exclaimed. with much fervor. THANK
God for the 6 in front Of my name"
FROM THE ALTAR TO WAR.
There is something of a romance con- |
nected with the encampment OF the West |
Augusta Guards Their captain. a gal |
LIANT soldier, came directly from the al |
tar 10 assume command of his company, |
and from the church where he was mar
ried inst a few minutes before he marched |
him company TO the depot. and. bidding1
his bride OF an hour an affectionate
he turned his back upon Staun-
ton. perhaps not 10 return for many
months.
Captain r. s. Ker IS the popular Off
,er and his bride was Miss Jessie Nc
Neil. one of Stauntons most attractive
,alIes The young couple had been en-
aged for some time. and the nuptials
we're hurried forward when IL became
,nnarent that the prospective groom
yould have to leave for the front. The
yedding took place early in the morn
NO and almost the entire company at
ended Captain Ker left the altar.
,aving been married in his uniform, and
,urried 10 the armOry. where his men
.apidly fell In. and the march to the
ront was begun.
Demonstration I'm staunton.
A great demonstration was accorded
no men before they left Staunton, as is
hoxn by the following special from the
)ispatch's correspondent at Staunton:
"As early as o'clock this morning the
argest crowd in the history of Staunton
egan 10 assemble at the Chesapeake
nd Ohio station to bid adieu 10 the gal
ant West Augusta Guards. All business
ouses were closed. aud mothers and
weethearts aud men and children col..