The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-17

Bronzed and wearied by the hard
ships of five days march, probably
never cxcelled in the military annals
tiers. eighty-eight men and four off,
GERS. with their guns. caissons and
fun field equipment, arrived in the city
yesterday evening at 6:l5 o'clock on a
special train via the Norfolk and Wes-
tern Railroad.
The men had broken all known re-
cords for a days march OF modern field
artillery. and had equalled that of any
lighter battery in war times on forced
marches, and had done this under the
most discouraging conditions-witl,
men unaccustomed TO the hardships of
tne camp. the march and the outdoor
life and exposure to miserable weather.
Moreover, they reached home without
man OF them on sick leave, and with
only one man disabled from marching,
as the result of a badly swollen foot
The men came in vigorous and cheer
full and looking every inch--linear,
square and cubic-soldiers.
Scene nt Station.
The coming OF the Howitzers had not
been definitely forecasted until yester-
certainty as to what road they would
take and what hour they would arrive
They finally reached the city on q
special train OF thirteen coaches, via
the Norfolk and Western. about 6:15
J.. NJ. after having travelled since 1880
p. NJ. Despite the uncertainty of the
time and place of detrainng here, the
artillcrymen were met and greeted az
the station by a great throns of rel
f,.i4 l.
tween the men and their mothers.
wives, sisters and sweethearts was
pathetic in many cases. and In all en-
thusiastic. Mothers and sisters and
wives clasped their loved ones in their
arms with unrestrained affection, and
tears rolled down many a cheek. II
was such q reception as the Howitzers
might have got had they just returned
from wartime campaign. The re-
unions of the families. after ten days
separation, were affecting even to be-
holders.
Though arriving at 6:15 P. NJ, 1t was
nearly 10 p. NJ. before the battery was
dismissed and had chance to appre-
ciate the luxury of bed after nine
days of hard sleeping-on the ground.
In wet blankets. and in mud and rain
two to four inches deep There was
work to be done. The thirteen cars
included cattle cars loaded with horses.
fiat cars upon which the unlimbered
guns the caissons, the travelling forges
and the baggage wagons were massed
as closely as they could be placed; a
baggage car. and finally the coaches in
which the ninety-two soldiers travelled.
The guns. caissons and vehicles were
fastened down upon fiat cars to pre-
vent their pitching and rolling and all
these had to be d3tached. l!mbereti UP,
unloaded and hitthed. with all the inl-
pediments of march. The men had
had no supper, and were not destined
to get any until 10 P. NJ, save two
punches of bananas. which were given
them before their march, and which
were overlooked and left behind. BE-
fore the battery was dismissed these
were like nectar to the hungry How
ltZers.
March to Armory.
While the eager and enthusia site
crowd looked on. the equipment was
all unloaded and finally about o'clock
the march to the armory began. When
the column was ready to move tho
bronzed young veterans of one of the
most memorable artillery marches
ever made sitting their guns as hough
this was their constant occupation,
wheeled up Seventh Street to Broad
beneath the arches of electric bulbs
strung across the street, passed into
Broad Street and moved between curbs
lined with enthusiastic and admiring
crowds OF men, women and children.
Conquering heroes never excited more
ldmiration than these boys, who had
overcome all obstacles. disappointed all
prophecies of failure and surprised
even their most devoted friends. It
was a triumphal march from depot to
armory, although their arrival was
uni,eralded, No band preceded thcm
and they Wore only the dusty-looking
khaki of the service. Down Broad to
Eighth and then out Eighth to the
nrmory the long column marched with
La great crowd In their wake, Door
lsteps, yards and ,porches We're thronged
to see the youthful veterans go by.
It was soldierly sight. and one we'll
likely to stir the blood. A glance suf-
sAccd to show that the men had seen,
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