Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-30
vIRGINIA'S SOLDIERS
The State Militia Will Be Reor-
gained Shortly.
MrJar Alex Higgins. of Gen. Has
brOucke's 6inH. Talks of tho
Fourth Regiment Many Stny I'm
Cnbn COL. Taylor ma Othos Homc

Colonel George w. Taylor arrived
from Savannah over the Merchants
and Miners Line last night. Captain
Sheen and Adjutant Yeatman also came
on the steamer. These officers were de-
layed in Savannah by some regimental
affairs which had TO be closed. The Off
GERS horses were brought on the steam
er. which accounts for Colonel Taylor
and the other officers coming by water
instead of by rail.
Colonel Taylor. as were all the other
officers of the Fourth Regiment, was
greatly pleased with the reception given
the soldiers in Norfolk Friday night.
MILITARY REORGANIZATION
Now that all of Virginios soldiers en-
listed for the Spanish american war
are mustered out the Virginia State
Militia will shortly be reorganized. The
reorganization will doubtless be upon
the same lines as the former organiza-
tion, but the militia will be strength
ened In many ways. There will be no
doubt stricter examination of officers
and men and the militia will be put
more on the footing of the regular
army.
Norfolk will doubtless continue to be
the leading military city of>the State. 1t
's not known whether the Fourth Vir-
ginia, as formerly organized will re-
enter the State Guard. There Is no
DOUBT though, that the headquarters of
regiment Will be located here.
MAI. HIGGINS INTERVIEWED.
An incident showing the love for
ole Virginny" that permeated the
Fourth Virginia Regiment was told by
Major Alex. Higgins, OF General Has
Dr0ucke'S personal stan yesterday.
Said he: In our mess we had a little
jar of earth which sat regularly on our
table. 1t was Virginia soil. and when
guests asked about it some one would
tell them what it was, and 1 tell you
we wouldn't have snapped it for the
whole of Cuba
Asked IL he was glad to get back,
Major Higgins replied: Yes, sir; am; ;
Cuba Is beautiful place in winter. but
what 1T Will be in summer | hardly
know. Norfolk is good enough for me-"
Major Higgins was on Colonel Tny-
lor's star, and when General Has
broucke asked for him, the Colonel re-
FUSED to give him up, and finally. on
the Generals insistence In his demand
TO MI Doth pusItlOns. ana dId so nc
ceptably-a fact CLEANED from others.
which his modesty prevented his giving
out.
NO CANNED BEEF.
Queried. however, about the canned
and refrigerated beef, he stated that no
canned beef was issued 10 the Fourth
virginia as ration and that only three
or four times was there any kick on
the meat rationS. and that when too
long exposure to the sun had caused
the outside of the meat to spoil.
IN such cases. when the meat got
high. said the Major. the outside of
Ttff an .,,,I
and the remainder served. This resulted
a few times in giving The boys half ra-
lions of meat. but that was all the in
convenience suffered. We had no meat
on the hoof, and generally lived well ;
had in fact no cause to complain"
Asked If any OF the boys expected to
go back, he said:
we left quite n number there Some
OF these had gone into business for
themselves, and others had gotten good
jobs there. I got several into jobs there
ana know that others did also. a num-
back and 1 suppose they will"
Queried as to any OF the Fourth re-
enlisting for service he remarked:
While their money holds out don't
think man of them will enlist. but
after that is gone and they begin TO
have so bad or hard a time aftet' all,
some of them may enlist"
AS TO REORGANIZATION
The subject of reorganizatio of the
companies in Norfolk being preached,
Major Higgins said:
Yes; think the boys will want to
keep up the old company organizations.
and as soon as they have time to think
1t over will perhaps reorganize. | don't
know how many regiments the State
will organize. but the Fourth will prob
ably want TO be one of them AS for
the officers, they VIII likely stay with
the men until reorganized. but hardly
think they will any of them stay longer
than that. Nest of them are tired of
soldering"
Il WAS remarked of the men who left
jobs with the understanding that their
places would be kept open: II suppose
a number of them will be taken back.
but the majority of them stayed longer
than it was thought they would and
their places are filled. All of them who
wish will probably find jobs ready for
them, however"
Major Higgins is looking we'll and
feeling well, and. ike the rest. heartily