The times., 1899-03-09
THE CJLORED TROOPS
Late In ARRIVING
Many Friends Assemble Only
to Be Disappointed.
Reached the City at II Instead of =;
O'clock.
The Reception in Centre Market
ArmOry POstpOned-FrOm the
Train to Their Homes.

Not until II o'clock last night did
the detachment of two companies from
the Eighth Regiment of colored troops
reach the Maryland Avenue yards of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, in this city, from
Chickamauga A report had been circu
lated to the effect that the regiment would
arrive at the Sixth Street depot at 7:S0
o'clock. Consequently vast crowd con-
sisting mostly of members of the co-ored
race, assembled in the vicinity fully hall
an hour before the announced hour of ar
rival. This gathering was doomed to dis
appointment. No troops arrived at the
station at that hour and the railroad al
thorities seemed to know nothing o, tie
whereabouts of the troops.
Not only was the immediate vicinity of
the station alive with the anxious rela-
tiyes and friends of the colored soldiers,
but the interior of the station was packed
with colored people awaiting their arrival.
Regular passengers who were ANXIOUS to
take outgoing trains had to pass through
this surging crowd, and once in the wait
ing room, it was difficult to reach the en-
trance to the train shed.
Numerous committees were also in evil
dence, and going there with every assur-
ance of being able TO grasp the hands of
the returning troops. All wore expressions
of wonder and astonishment when the an
! nouncement was made that the railroad
authorities knew absolutely nothing con-
corning the Immune Regiment.
Lieutenant Kelly, of the Sixth police
precinct, looking more like major gen.
eral than police lieutenant, reached the
station with squad of police reserves
at o'clock. Finding no one who seemed
to know anything about the regiment he
sought General Agent Williams, of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, and was informed
by that official that no such troops as the
Eighth Colored Immunes were being hand
led by his road.
Shortly before o'clock several attaches
of the statioEmaster entered the waiting
/ room and announced to the assembled
crowd that no colored troops would arrive
during the evening. The only troops that
the railroad knows anything about" said
one of the road officials, are now at the
corner of Ninth Street and Maryland
Avenue" He did not explain that the
troops at that point were members of the
Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, Ell route
| for Harrisburg and other PENNSYLVANIA
points from Macon, Ga, and hundreds of
the crowd Immediately started for the
Maryland Avenue crossing only TO receive
second disappointment.
/ Enquiry of the Southern Railway Com
pany later developed the fact that the
Eighth Immune Regiment would reach the
city at IL o'clock. While the crowd was
waiting expecting momentarily to see the
troop train pull into the station the de-
tachment was en- route for this city and
was somewhere between Lynchburg and
Charlottesville. The Centre Market
Armory had been decorated for the occa-
sion and further embellished with long
| tables laden with refreshments There
was deep disappointment over the mis-
carriage OF plans.
When the troops reached the city they
marched directly TO their homes from the
point of debarkation. at Ninth Street and
Maryland Avenue. They were warmly
welcomed in an informal way by the
friends who survived their disappointment
and waited.
After the fact became known that the
troops would not reach the city until
late hour, the persons who had gathered
at Armory Hall dispersed and the intended
reception was abandoned. The following
statement was made by a member of the
committee on arrangements:
The late arrival OF the two companies
of the Eighth lmmunes, recruited in this
District, was a bitter disappointment 10
those forming the committees in charge
Through the generous contributions OF the
business firms and private citizens a splen-
did collation. had been prepared The
Armory had been gai1y decked with flags
and tropical plants. and large number
We're in attendance to give the boys a
royal greeting, but, owing 10 delays on
the road, the train, which was scheduled
to arrive at 80, was reported five hours
late out of Charlotte, y. c., with a prospect
Of increased loss OF time during the iun.
Daniel Murray, chairman of the finance
committee, wishes to return thanks on be-
half OF the management to the generous
contributors. II has been decided to ten
der the troops reunion tonight in Ca
diets, Armory. corner of Seventh and o
Streets, which will enable their friends TO
meet and greet them