The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-04
INVADING FOE READY
TO ATTACK RICHMOND
Blues Are Expected to Meet in
Battle Near Ccntralia
o-Day.
TWO COMPANIES 10 DEFEND
Company a Leaves Petersburg on
Heavy March Companies B
and c to Stop It,

q .--->
without the enthusiasm which mar
4 tial music lends or the plaudits OF the
multitude, vet with grim determination
4 ilepicted upon the countenance Of every
member. the two commands or the
Richmond Light Infantry Blues march
ed out OF Richmond yesterday evening.
+ one prepared to attack and the other
to defend the city. Company A. the
II attacking command. left first. march-
ing UP Main Street to Ninth. down
q Ninth, and over. the Free Bridge to
Manchester. where the members board
ed car for Petersburg at o'clock.
Companies and c We're not long in
following the attacking command, and
about z o'clock left the armory on East
Main Street, accompanied by the pro-
vision and utensll wagons, on their
march through Richmond and Man
chester, to their position of defense,
Just beyond the latter city.
While the trip OF Company A
through Manchester. after boarding the
car, was rapid. the two companies fol-
lowing marched the entire length OF
the town. and were given royal send
OF in the old city across the James
Though they did not pick the more
prominent street for their march, at
every corner they were greeted by a.
large crowd. which cheered them on
their journey. Even when the whole
command was swallowed up in the
gathering dark OF the summer evening
beyond the city limits, the cheers of
the citizens of the old burg. could
still be .ieard.
In Heavy Marching Order.
Dressed in heavy marching order,
which INCLUDES everything needed for
an outfitSin the field. the Blues had
every appearance OF real soldiers as
they started out on the long two days
march, and one could almost imagine
them returning as battle-scarred vet-N
Grams, ready to shoulder their crutches
to show battles were won, or to sit
by cheerful inele and relate over
and over again stories of the field.
The weather was threatening, and
there was every indication Of heavy
rain. but there was no show of faint
heartedness. every man being deter
mined to go through with the cam
paign despite every obstacle that Mars
or Jupiter Pluv!us may hurl in their
way Numerous friends OF the organi
cation came down to see them off and
to wish them luck. They started with
d swing and stride
Though 1t Is little piece of mimicrS.
without the Shot and she'll incident to
bloody strife. the three companies will
ia ste many of the hardships and bitter
of which the veteran Blues
are so fond OF telling. There will he
none OF the comforts OF civilization.
Every man Will make and lie in his
own he'd. with only small shelter tent
TO cover him from the sky and protect
him from the Storm He will carry
his own grub. and the manner In which
he fares viii depend on his own in
EenuitS and his ability 70 make the
as possible
May Fight Near Centralia.
Company "A. the attacking party. VIII
Tendeavor to break through the oppos
ing line and capture Richmond. Com
panies and C will make it their ef-s
fort to protect the city and to give
the invaders battle in the open field.
probably near Centralia. midway be-
tween the two cities On the result
of this battle depends the city's safety.
Without home guard OF the least
means of defense. Richmond will be
left at the mercy of the invading
forces should they he able to break
through the opposing lines. But the
defense Is determined to meet them in
the field and thus prevent an invasion.
Scouts will be thrown out. pickets will
he posted at night. >and the two de-
tending companies believe that they
will be able" to forestall surprise and
defeat the eslems. However, the tide.
of battle may turn, the experience win
be most valuable to the Blues. in that
il viii be test of their worth and
ability as soldiers 10 Uncle Sam
something they have already proved in
the past.
Could Not Stop In Petersburg,
The following dispatch was received
from Petersburg last night:
The probable sham battle to take
place between the Richmond Blues and
the defending forces of Richmond in
Chesterfield county tomorrow has ex-,
cited a good deal OF interest in mill
tary circles here. The Blues are iex-
pected to begin their march on Rich
mond from this vicinity early in the
morning. A telegram from Major F.
r. Lassiter to Captain Palmore ex-
presses the desire of the officers and
former officers OF the Petersburg Grays
80 pay their respects to his command
i notified OF the hour and place of
encampment. Captain Palmore re-
sponded. returning thanks and appre-
citation, but stating that the move
rents OF the Blues viii be kept secret
until the battle. .