The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-13
BANQUET OF TROOP A.
FUN AND JOLLITY AMONG THE
 MEMBERS AND GUESTS.

Rampant Warriors With the Gentle Strains of the "OId Oaken Bucket Major MarigOld Entertains Company With Poetic Effusion--Many Promi- nent Military Men Present. Fun, good things to eat and good things to hear were regnant at the fifth annual banquet of Troop A, which was held in the Tontine hotel last night. Landlord White served the following excellent menue:
 Oyster Cocktail a la'Ludington ! Celery Salted Almonds Olives Mock Turtle Fried Smelts Tartare Sauce Sweetbread Patties, with Peas F'ilet of Beef; Mushroom Sauce
 Mashed Potatoes
 Advance Guard Punch Cigarettes
 Philadelphia Capon; Giblet Sauce Neapolitan Ice Cream Fancy Cakes | Cheese Crackers Coffee l Cigars l sembled warriors sang popular tunes like Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie;" Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown" Tommy" and Yankee Doodle Boy" to the strains of the Second Regiment band.
 Then came the speech-making. Cap tain Luzerne Ludington acted as toast master, and in his opening remarks re- ferred to the new armory upon which armory would be completed in time for work by next September. Cheers and a tiger.)
 A letter of regret was received from Governor Henry Roberts, after which Brigadier- General George M. Cole spoke as a representative of Governor Rob- erts. He promised to see that the boys get revolvers to increase the efficiency of the cavalry service. This statement received vigorous approval.
 Brigadier- General Russell Frost, of South Norwalk, related in a humorous vein some of the vicissitudes of a bri- gade commander at brigade headquar- ters at the joint manoeuvres of the reg ular army and the National Guard at the encampment at Manassas in the summer of 1904. He stated that Gen. eral Chaffee, General Corbin, General Grant and other officers of the regular army testified that the Connecticut troops set the highest standard in that encampment for efficiency of service.
 At this point Captain Ludington pro- posed three cheers and a tiger for Sec ond Lieutenant Robert J. Woodruff "the man whom we all love" They were given with will.
 Major John Q. Tilson read a toast from Captain Samuel A. Smoke. He then related the difficulties he had ex- perienced In securing the appropriation from the state for the erection of the new armory.
 Ex-Governor Abiram Chamberlain was introduced as man loved and honored by the people of the whole Estate. He was greeted with vigorous army cheer from those present. He then sang several verses of "The Old Oaken Bucket" and was joined in the chorus by the members of Troop A. He stated that General Corbin had told him that the Connecticut National Guard
 were the finest of the nation He said
 that while he was governor of the state
 he had done all he could to improve the
 service, and that the people should ap- preciate more fully the value of the
 National Guard. Millionaires don't
 smile, but the governor fully appreci-
 ates the smiles and good fellowship of the militia. Good fellowship makes
 good citizenship"
 Judge Jacob B. Ullman told several
 very good stories and commended Troor
 A upon the new stone armory rising
 from the ashes of the armory burned a , year ago.
 Mayor John P. Studley was greeted with rousng cheer. He graphically described the use of the cavalry in Ma ! lpoleon's army, and in the Civil war un- , Ider Sheridan.
 The witty sallies of Lieutenant-Colo- l Incl John Fl Wade, of Bridgeport, were greeted with shouts of Iaughter. He responded to the toast The Inspector, and related many amusing incidents oi } his experiences as inspector in the an nual troop march last summer ur through the Berkshires. Lieutenant Governor Rollin s, Wood lruff commended the efficiency of the cavalry branch of the service. Colonel Theodore H. Macdonald com |mended Troop A upon it's large mem Ibership and upon its good discipline and fine soldierly qualities : Major William H. Marigold, oi Bridgeport, met with rousing cheer He ended his remarks with the follow ing original effusion: TROOP "A" Through sand and mud, rode the bolt
 Captain Ludd.
 At the head of his gallant Troop! , And straight at his back, rode thC $ fierce Bradnack, With his mustache curled up in ( But the wagon train, the mysterious Of lieutenant Woodruff rules.
 We'll he knows this day, there'll be hel If he isn't on time with his mules.
 There were good things to eat, and th'
 corn 1t was sweet. As at Milford we stood for lunch! And we ate and drank, and the Trool
 As we sank.
 Would have drowned less compe. tent bunch.
 5 As we passed stratford by, we drank the town dry, Then we headed for Seaside Park. And the camp was all made, and WI } had dress parade. And another Troop A, before dark. Twas glorious night, and beautiful sight,
 Met the eyes of the Bridgeport girls