Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-11-10
a ROYAL WELCOME
Is Awaiting the Huntington Kin
When They Return

- *Waitins the Huntington Rifles
When They Return.
1t is expected that there will be n
great time in Newport News when the
boys come marching home, reference
being had. of course to the Huntington
Rifles
There is strong talk of having
the Fourth Virginia. of which Company
c. as our boys are known in the
army. ordered to Richmond to be mus
tered out of Uncle Sans service
The Second and Third regiments. from
IN $ State. the former of which was at
Jacksonville With the Fourth ana the
latter ut Camp Algcr. have been mus
tered out and now the Fourth is the
only remaining Virginia regiment in the
field
From all accounts. it now aphears
that the Fourth is hardly in fit cnndi-
ton for further duty. OF the full com
Element Of 1900 men. it is said that the
Fourth regiment now has about $50
men who are tit for duty. The deple-
ton or the regiment by reason of DEATH
sickness and discharges reduced it to
almost to a battalion. is sufficient
cause 10: mastering out the Fourth
virginia and it is believed in Richmond
and also at Savannah that the next
few weeks Will see the boys bck home
again.
The Huntington Rifles has not been
one Of the most fortunate companies
IN the matter of losing men. Sickness
has prevailed in the company to i; great
extent and there have been several
deaths. Discharges have been plenty
and when the brave boys who marched
away from Newport News one Sunday
morning several months ago. prepared
to meet the worst wherever it might b,.
march back again. their company will
snow the results that are bound to fol-
low afte: several months spent under
canvas
Nothing positive is known about the
return OF the soldiers. but when that
time is learned. then should tn. people
OF Newport News commence to MAXI,
preparations t" give the boys Il rous,ny
welcome.
II is true that the Rifles did no, take
part in the campaign before Santiago.
nor dld they participate in the Skin
:nlshinE in Porto Rico. but that was be-
cause they did not have the oppor-
tunlty. They went to the front With
the intention of obeying orders and that
they have done. 1t is not their fault
that they were not sent to Cuba They
are heroes jus, the same. and as such
should be received on their return to
Newport News
The matter Of giving the boys an ova-
tion is one that should occupy the at
tention of the business Mems Associa-
ton. y large turnout Of civic and
street organizations, bands Of music
a parade taking in the principal STREETS
OF the city-that is what the city's only
military company must have on its re-
turn.
1t would not be Il bad idea to have a
banquet on the night of the same dav
and no better place for this mark OF
love and respect can be selected than
the Caslno-the ar1nory of the Hunting
Il
zens can bestow will be appreciated and
the boys should be made to feel that
their coura se-i is admired even though
they mad no opportunity To test it,
good showing can be made at small
expense and the Business Mems Asso-
citation should give some of its time and
d: attention to the matter without delay
10 be sure, the time of the soldiers re-
turn cannot be anticipated at present
but influence is being brought to bear
I" muster out the Fourth and it Will
De Well To be prepared when the time
arrives.