Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-29
The Old Dominion Guard Once
More at Home.
BIG RECEPTION RENDERED
welcomed by Martial Music, Fiont-
ing Bunting aud shouts OF Popu>
Ince-Thousnnds or People Greet
the Returning IIcrocs-Thc BAN
quet n Grand Amir and Speeches
Gems OF Oratory md Thought.

All day long yesterday, beginning at
o'clock in the alorning. people began
to prepare for the reception of the Old
Dominion Guard, Portsmouth's repre-
sentatives in the United States army of
occupation in Cuba. The Naval Post
band was the first to be seen on the
streets in uniform, and was quickly fol-
lowed by members of Grimes Battery.
Then ladies and gentlemen and chill
dren appeared, all dressed in their best
bib and tucker" and from the bright
innocent faces Of the babies to the
wrinkled cheeks of our most venerable
citizen. the smile of genuine pleasure,
indicative of eaSerneSS TO welcome our
Portsmouth boys, n S soldiers who had
performed their whole duty in a noble
cause. was the incentive which en-
Unused and gave further inspira ton to
the visitor and the stranger within our
gates and invitation to take an interest
in and enter into the spirit of the oc-
casion with n zeal, born of love of the
principles of freedom and deeds of
chivalry and devotion characteristic of
Portsmouth people.
WHEN THEY WOULD COME.
The Nirginian- Pilot office was be-
seiGed by phone and visitors. all anxi-
ously inquiring when the train bearing
the soldiers would arrive. The infor-
nation furnished this Office by the Sea-
board Air Line officials was that 1:i5
o'clock was the time calculated for the
which the Portsmouth boys were
speeding homeward, and this was i'm
parted to nquirers. The hour was later
changed to 2:So o'clock. and erue 10 the
latest information, the first section
rolled in and the reception given it
would have done honor to any metro
politan city.
The Naval Post band discoursed mar
tial music, bunting was flying from
house tops, and in front Of several bust
ness places; ladies and children to the
number of thousands waved their
handkerchiefs. while the men gave vent
TO their enthusiasm by 4 great shout
of welcome. Grimes Battery. which
had marched from the armovy with the
Portsmouth Rifles. headed by the Post
band. fired salute from two cannon,
which echoed far over the bosom of the
placid Elizabeth. notes OF welcome to
our returning boys.
OUR BOYS NOT THERE
But 10! n grea; disappointment was
In store for the thousands OF people
Dominion Guard was not on this train,
only the following members and
Portsmouth boys arriving thereon:
Lieutenants Eppcs ana Hutchins.
Quarternas;er Sergeant Bennett, Ser
gcant Williams and Privates Majctte,
Lynn and Brown. and DR.. George Pced,
assistant surgeon OF the Fourth Nir-
gnia.
The enthusiasm died in an instant
and the great throng showed plainly
the disappointment it felt al seeing
the soldier lads of Newport News and
panied by our boys. who Were said 10
: have been placed in the first section
of the soldiers train.
THE REASON WHY.
There are always two sides to every
question. and the answer to the in
NfA of IN
arrival of the Portsmouth Boys" was
to the effect that about l o'clock
Thursday nigft. near Greenwood,
S. c.. an accident happened and
Hecessiitared leaving the cars oc-
cupied by our boys on side
track to be picked up by the second
section of the train. which WAS some
time behind the first section. on which
our boys had been placed. The mem
bers Of the company were asleep end
not cognizant of the change until they
awoke in the morning. and then there
was a howl If human nature is to
be relied upon. Those OF our boys
spoken of as having reached here on
the first section were fortunate enough
to be In forward car when the acct
dent referred to-the breaking of n
coupling pin-occurred.
Captain Carey Warren and Captain
owens marched their commands back
10 the ArnOry, and dismissed the men
with orders 10 report again at $50
O'Clock. 1t having been asccrtained from
the railroad authorities that the sec
ord section OF the train would arrive
Il few minutes after O'Clock The
streets all the afternoon presented a
holiday appearance. ana as the hhur of
CLOCK approached the streets began
to p escnt crowded appearance again.
Hun dreds of people We're vending their
way in the direction Of the depot and
ranging themselves on both sides of
High street from Wafer to Court
streets.
ANr' ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT.
Every moment the crowd increased in
SIZE. ana patience seemed to he a viz
tue, FOR 1t was exceedingly quiet and
orderly.
Just about o'clock the distant sound
OF locomotives whistle was heard.
and the excitement was intense. The
cry OF Here they come went up. and
another great shout rem; the mir The
scenes of the afternoon were repeated.
the band playing ana Grimes Battery
uring salute. But again Portsmouth
people were doomed To disappointment,
Tor tho section arriving did not bear
our boys. but the gallant men Of orr.
sister city of Norfolk
This disappointment did not deter the
crowd from giving them a rOVal ,yol :
come. and they We're received with nl
the honors possible, for. next to our
poyS. 'hey were the most welcome
Grimes Battery made no distinctio,
between any OF the incoming Gonna
MES. but salutod all
Inquiry at the telegraph Office at,thn
depot elected the information that The
Old Dominion Guard would arrive nj
$50 o'clock. "a minutes having been lost
at Franklin. BY this time the ercot
throng OF people showed conslderahIc
impatence. and the query as TO who
was responsible for these repeated dis
appointments" began 10 pass from lin
to lip. But no one was well enough IN
.aA L. a L.