Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-29

dicrs of the Fourth Nirg mia Regiment
returned home last night.
The boat bearing the soldiers reach
ed the Norfolk landing mt about twenty
minutes TO S o'clock The guns Of the
Norfolk Light Artillery Blues battery
were booming in salute, boniires were
burning in Monument Square and Il
great concourse of shouting men, wom-
en- and children were wcdged in about
the ferry landing and extending back
to Main street. Even Main street was
crowded on either side for the distance
of some two blocks
AS the soldiers stepped from the boat
deafening cheers went up from the
throats Of the several thousand people.
The homecoming boys were imme-
diately swallowed up in the sea of HUI
mainly, friends crowded around to greet
the betss, and ss55iti-isS struggled
through the confused mass to get Il
glimpse of their returned SOldier-SWcet-
hearts.
AN INSPIRING SCENE.
AS the concourse began tn move up
Commercial Place, the scene was in
spring, despite the lack of muskcts,
cleaning bayonets and rythmical ca
dencc of marching soldicry. There was
confusion, necessarily 50. The boys kept
in line as we'll as they could and fol-
lowed the drum corps up by the mon
umcnt To Main street. AS they passed
the monument, which WAS new TO them,
they waved their hats and joined in the
cheering of the crowd.
MARCH TO THE ARMORY.
They marched-or pushed-down
Main TO CRANKY street and down City
Hall avenue to Armory Hall Several
thousand people followed 10 the Arm
DRY. and the galleries ana hall were
soon flied. Ii had been intended 10
have some speeches at the Armory
from the Mayor and several others,
welcoming the boys back.
ADDRESSES OF WELCOME.
Mayor c. Brooks Johnston and Judge
Thco. S. Garnctt had been selected by
the committee which had the reception
in charge to deliver each an address or
welcome. The tremendous crowd made
it impossible to speak sufficiently loud
for all 10 hear. for the people were so
oVerjoycd ut the return of the soldier
boys that the greatest confusion reign
ed. Everybody was happy ana busy in
giving expression to their feelings. Fol
lowing are the addresses:
MAYOR JOHNSTON.
The Mayors welcome was as fol-
lows:
Colonel Taylor and Members of the
Fourth Virginia Volunteers:
Greater love of country hath no man
than that he should offer his life at
her call 10 duty.
One year ago. flied with patriotic
zeal, you gave yourselves to maintain
The honor of the Stars ANA Stripes. and
marched forth, leaving home and loved
nm Ia In IA e..
struggle Just before you.
I'm all the wide world there are none
we so delight To honor as oar volunteer
soldiers. And as Americans rs Nir-
~
we greet you to-day as You return. hav-
ing we'll performed every duty YOU
were given an opportunity of doing
Your every act has been watched by
proud loving ones. and your record
proves that You well prepared your
selves to make q most splendid show
ing in that post of greatest honor for
which you were reserved with the gal
liant FitZ Lee. am glad it is my privi-
legc to bid You welcome home. Nor
folk is proud of YOU ana would honor
YOU to-day as YOU have honored her
by your self sacrificing patriotism dur
ing the past year
II NOW turn YOU over to tho tender
mercies of that brave ana heroic veto
ran. Judge II. s. Garnett. who Will more
fifty EXPRESS what Norfolk would like
to say TO each OF YOU"
JUDGE, GARNETT
Colonel Taylor, Officers and Men Of
the Fourth Regiment of Virginia In
fantry, l.. :. Volunteers:
at is a day of rejoicing in Norfolk
The city has put on lis holiday attire
and decorated itself in honor of your
return.
"One year ago you were assembled
here to show yourselves men i'll the
hour Of your countrys need. The homes
then saddened by the thought of your
departure are now rejoicing al the sight
OF your familiar faces. | welcome you.
soldiers, back to the ranks of your cit
izenship, and extend to YOU the pleas
ing assurance that. as Norfolk is proud
OF your record, so is she glad AZ the
opportunity to testify her appreciation
OF your conduct. You have endured Sc
we're trials from the day Of your en-
listment at Richmond 10 the end Of
your service at Savannah. In all the
patient waiting for The day Of battle.
LOT winch You so eagerly painted. ana
against which your loved ones SO de-
Voutiy prayed. YOU have shown all the
good qualities OF disciplined soldiers.
ana proved Just as surely in the camp,
as You could have done on the field OF
battle 'he true spirit of the Virginia
soldier. and the solid worth of the
American citizen.
The decorations which the city Of
Norfolk so lavishly displays to-day are
all in your honor. and betoken the love
and respect which she bears u her
worthy sons; for each one of YOU she
intends 1t as personal decoration: she
bids You welcome home. and God-speea
in the pursuits of peace to which she
sees you now returning. You have
come just in time to join the procession
now forming Tor the increase of our
city's growth. On every hand Won viii
see the changes which haze taken place
during your absence, and preparations
for still greater movement towards our