The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-14
SOLDIERS CAME
IN FINE TRIM
BOYS BACK FROM MANEUvERS.
ALL SIGNS OF FATIGUE SHAKEN
OFF BEFORE ARRIVAL.

with the Steadiness of Veterans
They DETAINED and Marched to the
Guards ArIuOry-Met at Union sta
ton by Col. Arthur Gordon and
Were His Guests at Hall where
Light Refreshments Were Served.
Commanding officer Made short
Talk and Was Given Three Rous-
ing Cheers.
welcomed home by the strains of
'.Dixie" and the cheers of an enthusiast
tic crowd, the Savannah companies re-
turned yesterday afternoon from Ma
nassas.
From the manner in which they de-
trained to the veteran step with which
they marched from the Union Station
TO the Guards Armory. every move
ment told of the hardened soldier.
Military observers could easily see
the increased confidence of the men
and the ease with which they received
their orders and the perfection with
which they were obeyed. Going away
as state militamen they have returned
the heroes of a victorious campaign of
six days.
soldiers Had Strenuous Time.
Those soldiers who imagined they
were going to picnic found their sad
mistake when too late. For real siren
uosity in all their lives they had never
experienced the equal of the maneu-
Ners of last week.
BY day it was march, march, and
When they had sunk into that first
sweet sleep which comes to the weary
the sound of the assembly often broke
in upon their slumbers, calling them
to expeditions under cover OF the dark
ness which We're even more arduous
than those of the day.
Though often footsore and weary.
the men never shirked a duty and on
number of occasions were compli-
lnented for their splendid work Often
the duties imposed seemed arduouS in
the extreme, bat when the men get
thoroughly rested from their trip it 5
safe to say that they will be glad of
the experiences of the week.
Trains Close Together.
1t was 500 O'Clock, city time, when
the first section of the train carrying
the Savannah companies over the At
lantic Coast Line was sighted from the
Union Station. Cheer after cheer arose
from the crowd and it was caught up
by the soldiers in the cars.
Hardly had the men from the first
section been formed before the second
section backed slowly into the shed
and the men of the Second Battalion
quickly formed along the platform
Col. Arthur Gordon, of the First Reg
iment, was on the platform waiting
bp hnf h
of his own company and of the Guards.
Among the first to alight from the
train was Lieut.. Col. w. L. Grayson,
who advanced to meet Col Gordon
hat - land.
The salutations betweens the two
highest officers of the regiment were
briefly said, after which the pro-
gramme was taken up. Other officers
crowded around Col. Gordon and ex-
pressed their pleasure ait seeing him
again.
No Evidence of Fatigue.
There was little evidence of the ia
tigue of the maneuvers when the men
We're formed. All seemed bright and
cheerful and when the marching order
came they obeyed with alacrity, the
pace from the platforms to the street
being rapid one Except for the
improved military bearing the men
marched with the spring of their de-
parture.
Col. Gordon accompanied Lieut.. Col.
Grayson as the First Battalion march
ed in tours from the shed, and return
ed in time to march by the side of
Maj. Coney with the Second Battalion.
Instructions were given to Majs. Elliott
and COney as to the preparations at
the Guards Armory.
Turning into West Broad street the
companies marched to Liberty street
and east on Liberty to Bull, and thence
to the armory, where Col. Gordon had
prepared light refreshments for the
men. Stacking arms outside, the sew
en- companies made their way into the
hall, almost filling the large room
with khakied men.
Col. Gordon Congratulated Boys.
Before the refreshments were served,
Col. Gordon made a short talk to the
men, lcongratulating them on their
record
Savannah is proud of what her SOL
diers have done. We want you to feel
that you are welcome home. This
meeting together of the First Infantry
and of the Guards will promote good
feeling between the two to an even
greater degree. We are all glad to
have you home"
Three cheers were proposed for Col.
Gordon, which were given heartily.
Three cheers were proposed for Lieut..
Col. Grayson, and then for Afajs. Ell
lott and COney. All were given Justify.
An invitation was then given the men
10 help themselves, a proposition which
they were not slow to avail them
selves of. For ten minutes they en-
Joyed the refreshments and cigars.
The men were called to attention by
Col. Gordon, who stated that Lieut..
Col. Grayson would take charge, and
the majors would lead the men to their
respective quarters. The five COM
panies of the First Regiment marched
TO their armory, where they were
drawn up in the yard and addressed
by Maj. Elliott.
Addressed First Battalion.
THE lessons of the maneuvers will
be lost" said Maj. Elliott, unless you
have learned to endure hardness. We
have also learned that If we endure it
VIII enable us to stand more trials like
good soldiers. There Is no man in the
sound of my voice who has not learn
ed good lessons from the maneuvers,
and | hope all will profit by them.
In concluding, Maj Elliott thanked
the members of the First Battalion for
their unfaltering loyalty with which
every man had responded to the call
OF duty. Three cheers were proposed
and given TO Maj. Elliott.
Col. GraysOn announced that there
would be no more drills for the remain
der OF September. a statement which
"a rrrgfI THE