The evening times., 1899-05-10
TO WELCOME home
9HE Third ENGINEERS
Four Hundred Washington
Men Among Them.
District Guard May Act as Their
Escort.
Splendid Record of the Volunteers
During Their ArduOus Service.
A superb Regiment.

When the members Of the Third Uni
ted States Volunteer Engineers who b.
long in Washington reach here on the
morning of May 10 it is probable that they
will be given rousing reception.
There are about 400 men in the engi-
neer regiment whose homes are IN this
city. and many of them were members OF
the District of Columbia National Guard
before the war with Spain. Many OF them
tried to get into the District Regim snt
when that was organized, but only few
succeeded. and when the volunteer eng
neer regiments were recruited few weeks
later they enrolled themselves with the
Third.
These regiments called for men of supe-
rior ability, and from the reports that
have been received the Washington men
we're of the very best material, as the reg
ular army officers who commanded the
regiments found. One of the Washington
enlisted men was called on early last fall
to make plans for the erection OF set OF
barracks buildings in Macon, Ca. 70. the
reception of the coiored troops that we've
encamped there all winter. II Is not the
duty of an enlisted man to make plans OF
orders to go to Georgia and prepare the
ground. He not only did this. b=t he dres
the plans and superintended the erection
of the structure. which is said TO be the
finest that was erected by the United
States for this purpose. This particular
private was a well-known Washington
architect, who gave up a lucrative business
to enter the service OF the United Stats
at a monthly salary OF S20.Sc.
The engineer regiment was first station
ed at jefferson Barracks. Mo-, where it
made an excellent impression on the .esi-
dents of 81. Louis and vicinity. Then it
was ordered &c Fort Thomas. KY. and later
went to Macon. Ga Here il was called
upon by Gen. John c. Bates, who COM
manded the troops at that point. to arrest
the Sixth Virginia Volunteers, a body Of
colored troops which became very disor-
derly at times One battalion of the en-
gineers marched to the Virginia regiments
camp late at night, and, after arresting
the thousand and odd men, took their arms
away from them and marched three miles
through mud and rain back to their camp
ing ground
In January the regiment was ordered to
Matanzas. Cuba, where ii was engaged in
making the old Spanish barracks habitab,e
for the United States regulars who occu
py that territory. As soon as its work as
finished at that point il was ordered TO
Fort McPhersCn, Ga, where il arrived a
few days ago, and will be mustered out of
the United States service early next week.
The regiment has the reputation Of being
the finest body of men in the volunteer
army. Almost every one OF the enlisted
men is a first-class engineer, and all OF
them gave up good positions to don the
blue and fight for their country. In many
instances they were men of wealth and
culture, and it is probable that there is rot
a more intelligent regiment in the United
States service.
Several days ago il was suggested to Ma
jor Sylvester, Superintendent of Police
who had charge of the reception of the
District OF Columbia Volunteer Regiment
that similar welcome be accordes the
men who were in the Third
Engineers. He Immediately wrote to Gen
eral Harries, commanding the District of
Columbia National Guard, asking him TO
take some action in the case. General
Harries replied yesterday that he felt some
delicacy in taking charge OF the matter.
as most Of the men were members of his
command and he did not think it would
be the proper thing for him to take the
in preparing for a reception.
General Harries stated that he was ready
to do all in his power to help make the re-
ception a success and he would assure any
that might be organized of the
hearty cooperation OF himself and his Of
ficers.
Major Sylvester being out of town. Fred
A. Alvey. Of the Police Department took
charge of the matter and, at the sugges-
tion OF General Harries. presented 1t to
Wight Mr.. Wight directed
that communication be sent to one of
the volunteers to find out whether the men
would come home in a body. II this is the
case. Commissioner Wight stated that he
thought it would be a good plan for the
Commissioners to request the Guard and
the Naval Battalion to turn out and es-
cort the men through the principal streets
Of the city.
The people are SC much interested in the
Peace Jubilee at present. the Commission
er stated. that he did not think there would
be sufficient time to arrange for an elab-
orate reception. Mr.. Alvey will write to
the officer in charge of the District men
In the engineer regiment this afternoon
and will wait for a reply from him before
taking final action.