Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-30
Are ANXIOUS
TO COME home.
So Writes a Member of the Old
DominiOnGuard.
MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE
While willing TO Fight the writer OF
~" Interesting Letter objects 10
Ecing BuTctcd About ,he count,
at Beck ana OF ;hoxci in Authori,,
Homecoming anticipated win
PLEASURE.
Savannah. Ga. March 81, 1899.
Editor Nirginian-Pilot.
Portsmouth Office

portsmouth, Va:
Conference.-The Old Dominion Guard
IS coEnizant of the fact that our folks
at home are making Srea, preparations
To receive us when we touch old Ports
mouth soil once again; and, OH. how
we long to be with YOU ana live as only
Portsmouth people live and be free
American citizens once more. And
as FOR me, if | ever get this yoke off
my shoulders, you can rest assured of
the fact that L shall be very leary of
rushing into the army again. l would
not mind it If any chance was given Il
man To see q little of actual warfare,
but this thing of being buffetted about
the land, simply TO give those in au-
thority an opportunity to show TO the
world how pliable an American citi-
zen is when once governed by mar
tial law, is not what il is cracked up
to be-" 1t is all very nice for the gen.
tlemen who occupy position in the re-
viewing stand, but the poor devils in
the ranks do not think so we'll of it,
Every true American citizen is will
ing, in fact anxious 10 prove his loyalty
and devotion to his country, and viii
give up his life. if needs be, to protect
the honor and dignity of that country.
But please just let me calculate right
here that our experience in Uncle Sans
service has been anything else but
what | have limited at.
We have not had soldiers life Any
thing else would be Il fit name for IT.:
but yet, there has been some bright
and pleasant movement. and truly inn
presSive lessons enjoyed and apprcci-
ated during our service in the army.
But thank kind Providence. this cruel
war, so far as we are concerned. will
soon be over; and in q few weeks at
the longest, we all hope To be with tho
people who live in the garden spot of
the world-dear. sweet old Portsmouth,
ever loyal and true.
BY thefway, ] see by the Virginian-
Pilot Of Il few days ago, that Captain
owens will reorganize the Rifles Thurs
day night. Good for him and tho
Rifles. Captain owens is all right, all
right. Our boys would like TO be there
but we can't. and this dad blamed
quarantine racket is cutting us out of
lots of fun we might otherwise have
had. None of our boys are sick, or
even expect to be sick but that con-
founded red tape must be measured out
to its full length. hence we all must
grin and hear the hardshps we have
rather than fly TO those we know not
of.
Say to the people at home-but
rather let the Vrginlan-Pilot say It,
then everybody will hear it-that the
boys feel awfully proud that Il great
DIX reception awaits tnrm. w ny, II Is
worth suffering hardghips and going
through nnumcrable troubles and bear
ing numerous crosses to have the peo-
pie of Portsmouth receive you With
wide-open arms and then, too, to know
as we know that it is done in spirit
of true affection and esteem.
1t has made us feel that we are more
proud than ever OF the city Of our birth
and the people who live and have the!r
being there. Yes, sir; many proud
hearts will beat under blue blouses
when the shores or church spires oi
Portsmouth once more greet our eyes
Our boys are picturing daily the scene
when we arrive. and it is the talk OF
| the company.
l must stop now, but if we don't gel
| away from here as quickly as we think
| we should 1 will let you know the
| reason why. Every member OF the
| company sends regards home 10 thcii
| loved ones, with the additional infor-
nation that the company, as whole
| is enjoying excellent health.
| Yours forever.
"H. A."
Private Co. L. 4th va Reg, Old Do.
-.