Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-10-11
R[DC0ATS IN
VAD[ OUR SOIL
Crack Regiment from Canada
Attracts Much Attention at
the Worlds Fair.

81. Louis, set up their tents at the
worlds Fair grounds, and raised the
standard Of the British Empire.
This Is supposed TO be the first time
that a British army has appeared
e Of the Mississippi, at least since
the War OF independence.
All business was suspended, by or
der of the mayor, in the town OF
Windsor, Ontario, when the Essex
Fusiliers left their headquarters IN
that city for al expedition to the
STATES The troops crossed the
Detroit river In a special ferry pro-
yided for their exclusive use. to De-
troIt, where they were received with
high honors by Mayor Maybury and
Commissioner Fowle. Escorted by a
platoon OF mounted police. an infan-
try band, three companies OF the
Michigan National Guards, and the
naval reserves, they paraded the
streets of the city and then set out
for the interior on the "Fusilier
Special" train, which made extra
fast time, reaching a speed OF %
miles an hour.
The scarlet coats are a striking adj
dition 10 the picturesqueness OF the
Exposition. and supply the needed
touch" necessary to the perfection OF
its colorsacheme. The union jack Is
now quite In evidence. many en-
ployes and visitors Of all national
tiles having donned II In their honor.
In the form Of a metallic miniature
worn on the lapel.
Though they came at their " ex-
pense, this 2lst regiment OF Fnsillers.
belonging 10 Essex county, Ontario.
were officially selected by the gov
eminent, In preference TO any other
regiment In the Dominion, to repre-.
sent 1t at the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition.
Seven out OF the eight companies
composing tho regiment took part In
this excursion. one 81 them from
Walkerville and the rest from Wind.
The total number OF the Fnsl-
Hers In st Louis was 400. The com.
manding officer In Colonel N. A.,
Bartlett, OF a Scotch-Canadian family.
The Essex Fnsillers pride them
selves IN being the only Canadian
regiment that ever paraded before a
President Of the United States. Presi.
dent Roosevelt complimented them
highly on the occasion when he re.
viewed them two years ago, They
were also reviewed by the Duke OF
York In 1902. when the South African
veterans among their number were
presented with medals.
The Canadian government has
spent a great deal of mony on the de.
velopment Of its fine militia, and has
erected handsome armories, at its
" expense. for the militia regi.
ments. at all the principal towns, in.
Guiding Ottawa. Kingston. Windsor,
Toronto, 81. Thomas. Chatham and
London in Ontario.
The Essex regiment wal finally or
ganized in 1885 for the purpose Of as.
sisting in the suppression OF the
Northwest Rebellion heaid by Louis
Riel. II was the outgrowth OF the
old Essex militia. which was first or
sanized. as a single company, in 1912.
when they participated with Tecum-
sch in the capture OF Detroit: and
also under Col. Prince seen service in
1897 In the Fenian raid.
IL was o necessary 10 utilize their
service for that purpose, though one
OF the present officers. Surgeon
Major C~asgrain, took part with great
credit in that campaign: bur the or
ganization has ever since maintained
its existence and increased in pros
perity. The Essex Fusiliers sent sew
enteen men 10 the South African war.
which a proportionally. the larg.
est contingent furnished by any Cana.
dian regiment Three Of the officers. |
and seven or eight Of the non-com-
missioned officers. still In the reei.
ment are South African veterans.
Lieutenant paddon was wounded five
times and still carries three Boer bul.
lets In bis body. Corporal Reeves
has been honored by fine medals.
the Kings, the South African. the
service and the London; and Private
Reeves has received the service and
Kings medals.
Both Officers and men have made
themselves very popular in ST. Louis.