Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-27
Special to the Inter Mountain.


San Francisco, Sept 27.-Asked for a
statement about the condition and SEN
timents Of officers and men of the First
Montana regiment, Governor Richards.
with evidently honest enthusiasm, spoke
as follows to-day:
\ What emotions thrilled ones soul as
the joyous shout of those returning SOL
diers greeted us when we boarded their
BOAT! Time can never efface from menu
ory the Joys and sorrows Of that occa-
sion. What delight to find the men
looking so Well. Few if any, are as
fieshy as when we bade them God
speed at Silver Bow about sixteen
months ago, but on the whole, they look
healthy.
Happy? of course they are--they are
on their native soil once more. Impa-
tient? yes--to get home to loved Ones
Fut they realize that they are still SOL
diers.
WHO could look without feeling
of pride at those brave manly men as
they marched up Market street Even
] these California business men enved
! the Montana reception committee the
privilege of doing the honors to the Mon
tana regiment for its record as fighting
MEL is known and recognized
Il have talked With scores of the men
and | have not heard a complaining
word. l was careful to talk with pri-
Yates and non-commissioned officers, and
| think 1t quite remarkable that such a
feeling should prevail among them So
far as | can judge they are as proud of
the officers as the officers are of them
They do not take kindly to the attempt
to put words of criticism in their mouths
As one said in my hearing. the Montana
regiment is not noted for fighting with
their mouths.
We have tried to prepare them for
the royal welcome that awaits them on
their arrival in Butte. They are eager
to shake hands with their friends and
loved ones on dear old Montana soil as
one expressed it. Yes. they have prom
lsed to come home in body They have
been promised a free ride to Butte from
this city if they will come home together
and | have not heard of a single obiec-
tion to that plan.
"One cannot look at these hardy sons
of our treasure state without a feeling of
pride and an intense desire to pay them
and the state as well with glory and
feel quite sure our people will show their
appreciation and pride by giving them
IA reception they can never forget Moth
ing is too good for them.''
The official order for mastering out the
First Montana reached Colonel kessler
yesterday afternoon. The date is Tues
day, October Il. The order came from
Lieutenant Edward K. crisman, recruit
ing officer and was addressed to the regi-
mental adiutant. In it the recruiting
officer says:
Il have the honor to report that Tues
day, Oct. Il, has been fixed for the mus
ter out of the First Montana volunteer
infantry. Lieutenant G. \. Purdy. Sixth
infantry will direct the work preliminary
to the final muster out in companies NJ,
G. d, l.. * and G. and all questions aris-
ing in these companies covering the work
should be referred to that officer. The
undersigned will direct the work in the
remainder of the organization of the reg
inlent. II Will be found absolutely re-
cessary that one officer and five clerks
be present With each orGaniza ton from 8
a. III. to 4. y. IN. daily and at such other
times as. in the judgment Of the mus
teriag officer. may be necessary for the
Of the work within the limits
tiisst from time 70 time may be fixed
The first step is the preparation of phys
zeal blanks and compieta rosters of tn.
organization. These should lie turned
in at this office not later than 10 a. IN.
on the 18th instant"
The Montana regiment at the P.,esidio
has settled down 20 camp life. Both Of
ficers and men receive many visitors and