Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-23
THE ASTOR BATTERY
Arrives at New York After
Seven Months Absence.
One Officer and 50 Men Return Of
Three Officers and SO Men.
Made Good Record in Philippines Richly
Deserve the Grand Reception.

ANcN L VI ~, Jan. Gil dbSShNN
of more than seven months, under the
command Of Capt. Peyton c. March,
the Astor Battery arrived in New York,
today. During their absence the men
have travelled to and from the Philip
pine islands and have seen active SER
vice against the Spaniards under Gen.
Macarthur at Manila. They marched
from the city, June 10, with 80 men and
three officers. They returned with one
officer and 50 men. Their loss from
death was five. three dead in action
and two from sickness. Six were sent
home invaded and six were discharg-
ed from one cause or another. Two
officers remained behind with the regi-
ments from which they had been de-
tailed for service with the battery, one
at Manila and one at the Rock Island
arsenal.
The battery arrived at the Grand
Central station at go A. NJ. Owing to
was less than had been expected but
there was no lack of enthusiasm among
the 1000 or more VINO thronged the side
walk outside the station when the train
rolled in. AS soon as the train halted
in the Grand Central station the wait
ing men, women and children rushed
past the police lines shouting and way
ing flags and punches of flowers. The
soldiers jumped from the cars to dis
appear into the arms of fathers.
mothers, wives and sweethearts. After
greetings were over the bugler sound
ell the assembly, the men fell into line
and marched out of the station and
across the road to- the hotel where
breakfast was awaiting them.
The men looked well, little thin
perhaps, but it was a spareness Of
god physical condition and not of de-
Eprivati5fi. They wore the blue uni
form of the -Astor Battery with red
lined qyercapcs. dark brown lesgings.
Egray felt hats and gray gauntlets. All
carrieh -haversacks and caWeens. They
CARRIED no arms nut REVIEWERS, their
guns having been turned over to the
United States stores in Mapils when
the. battery received orders fo4' home.
Col. H. c. Blair. chairman of the
COMMITTEE ofs"parents. AND fends. :"
presided atstbe breakfast. Iie Hade a
speech of welcome and thanked. Capt.
March fdf. the manner in which, had
taken care of his pes. Capt.s 4arch.
in replying. said his vleh were mar I'M
Common sslliers. fse had bcen -
yt.es in the army and would sooner
command stAe Aston Battery than any
body of men he knew of. In the walks
II life from MlNh they came they,
lsieys little of 1sAary tactics: but, to.
day. they are as ebod soldiers as any
In the United States prmy and the
people abroad K1oY NM the soldiers
Of the limited stalls pny are the
,linssf IN The world.
: Major ISptitnsand Richard Sheridan,
whos haze sons III. the battery. spoke
briefly, and First Sergeant Joseph Fl.
Beachsm. Jr.. former captain of Cor
nell university foot ball and base bail
.telrns. responded to a call. Sergeant
sBeacham paid tribute to the gallantry
l0f Capt. March and the officers Of the
battery and called for three cheers f1f5
the absent Lieutenants Williams ana
Keller. Three cheers were also given
for Col. Astor.
Prof Wheeler. of Cornell University,
said when called upon for a speech,
that he was proud TO learn that the
Cornell meh in the battery had been
animated by the old Cornell spirit OF
devotion to'Tuty and love to country
and alma mater.
The doXoloSy was sung, the soldiers
feilin and marched back to the railway
station to unload their baggage. Inc
goods were loaded into waiung TRUCKS
and word was given TO proceed to the
list Regiment armory. Inc men were
cheered by thousands VINO now llhed
the streets a., >they marcheo 10 the
armory. Arrived there the battery was
again greeted with cheers ana applause
by their'trlendss VINO SAT IN ane gallery
about the drill Alall foor. Thcy hned
up and answered roll scah ana AFTER De-
ing asslgnedsto We're aisleissed 10
the attentions OF tpsir relations. some
of them will be kept on guard duty uh-
til they are musteg WI. capt. HIS