The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-06-28
Rough Riders Reunion.

LAS VEGAS, N. M, June 24.-Gov.
Roosevelt arrived here today and re-
ceived welcome no other person
could inspire. Thousands of people
from the great southwest are here and
the town never before wore its present
gala appearance. A reception commit
Tee of Rough Riders and citizens met
the Colonel at Wagon Mound. Chill
dren of that town were at the station
with flags and lined up alongside the
train. Col. Roosevelt was the first to
jump off the rear platform and rush in
to the crowd of his troopers, the citi-
zens and school children.
Between the EXPLANATIONS of pleas
ure on seeing his boys in Khaki uni
forms and the hearty grasps of every
body's hands Col. Roosevelt Joined the
school children in singing America.
There was little Formally about the
reception. The Governor of the terri
tory welcomed the Governor of New
York without Formally. Handwriting
and tumultuOus greetings continued
till the train was pulling out and the
Colonel had to run to catch it.
Introductions over, Roosevelt rushed
to his state room. "Civiians clothes
don't 60 here" he said, and proceeded
to get into his Khaki uniform. Emerg-
ing amid jocose salutations, pulling
down his blouse and leaning forward
with fire in his eyes, as if San Juan
were to be fought over again, he ex-
claimed:
Now feel like telling you fellows
to scatter and give them hell. Scatterl
Gitl"
Turning to Parson Uzzell of Denver
he said: ~ don't usually swear, but
this is great occasion, you under
stand"
From Wagon Mound to Las Vegas
the time was passed in talking over
the historical events in which the
Rough Riders participated.
At Ration the people cheered the
Colonel and presented him beautiful
arch of red and white carnations over
an open gate, and the Colonel made a
short, r0using speech, praising the
gallantry Of the New Mexico squadron
in the actions of the Santiago cam
paign. At Springer he received a
wreath of flowers.
At Las Vegas 5000 people met the
leader of the Rough Riders at the sta
ton, and cheer on cheer rose from the
surging mass as the train pulled slowly
into the station, the band playing, "a
hot time in the old town tonight" in
memory of San Juan hill. When
Roosevelt was discovered on the rear
platform OF the last car the crowd
surged in that direction and pressed so
closely round him that it seemed as il
they would lift him from his feet and
carry him off bodily. When he en-
countered detachment of Rough Rid
ers drawn up in line to receive him,
supreme satisfaction was in every line
of his countenance and joy rsdiated
from every lineament. Roosevelt was
a Rough Rider again. Handshakings
and greetings ecstatic were exchanged.
81 am glad to be with you, boysl l
wouldn't have missed this for any
thing!"
In the evening there was brilliant
display of fireworks and regimental
reception in the opera house.
At the reunion exercises was another
great demonstration in honor of Gov
ernor Roosevelt, and the Governor
spoke at length. He dwelt at length
and with tender eloquence on the asso-
Citations that would be the first at such
reunion, the death of comrades, the
hardships and glories of the command.
Passing from these to the broader sub
ject of the war and its issues Governor
Roosevelt said
$50 much for our comrades OF the regi-
ment. Let US not forget our comrades who
this summer are facing all that we faced
last summer. Let us not forget the gallant
men, the regulars and volunteers who are
upholding the honor Of the flag and the In.
terests OF the nation In the Philippines.
Surely there Is not one OF US " hose veins
have not tingled with pride as he read OF
the gallantry OF those men; aud suppose
few OF US have not thought at times that
we should like ourselves to fight beside