St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-07-21
Visit from U. S. Regulars.

Thursday afternoon, about two
o'clock, St. Johnsbury citizens noticed
one or two khaki-uniformed figures
going leisurelv down the Avenue, and
very shortly two stalwart companies of
U. S. regulars came marching through
the town from the west. With three
mounted officers at its head the troop
swung along down the Avenue. up the
length of Portland street, through the
bridge near Follensby and Peck's, and
about quarter of mile beyond, where
the column halted. Arms were stacked,
after a short rest, and at ten minutes of
three the camp was started. The two
companies were quickly drawn up facing
each other on the eastern end of the
camping ground. Then, having Joined
hands, the men Of each company, at an
order from an officer, deployed to the
west until the two lines were stretched
out to the fullest extent. Then, by each
second man, bayonet was thrust into
the ground, marking the place for every
tent. Soon the officers tents were
raised and the outfit was established
with the usual military precision and
despatch.
In all there were 145 men, 21 mules,
FIVE horses, four transport wagons and
one Red Cross ambulance, comprising
companies K and l. of the 9TH U. S.
Infantry. Capt A. F. Prescott was the
| ,,I;rrr c4oa~ Tho otha.-
officers were Capt. Partello Lieut. Nc
Cormick, Lieut.. Crystal and Lieut..
Curry. Their station is at Plattsburg
Barracks, Plattsburg, N. Y, from which
place they set out Saturday, July 10.
The first 25 miles were made by boat,
the next eight by road to Fort Ethan
Allen, Burlington. Sunday they came
from Burlington to Richmond, Monday
to Waterbury, Tuesday to Montpelier,
Wednesday to Morrisville, and Thursday
to St. Johnsbury. Start was made from
Morrisville at exactly a. M, and a fine
lunch OF two sandwiches apiece, with
melons and other fruit, was served out
when they halted just outside of Danville
near noontitne. They average to march
three miles an hour and Is miles
day. The destination of the soldiers is
Augusta, Me-, via the following places:
Bethlehem, N. H., Breton Woods, Craw-
ford Notch, Intervale, /Fryeburg Me-,
Naples, Poland Springs, Lewiston, Au-
gusta, which they will reach the last day
of this month. 1t is expected that they
will remain there ten days, until August
| II, for further orders. Ifcompleted, this
will be the longest hike" taken by any
| U. S. infantry since the Civil War.
| All of the men have seen at least 10
months service in Cuba and some of
them much more. They returned to the
United States and paraded at the in
auguration March 4; they were at
Gettysburg from May % to June /. In
St. Johnsbury they received mail and
took rations, having rested here Friday
because Sundays no stores being open,
the men would have no chance to make
purchases. When the dusty, tired troop
arrived Friday afternoon they asked per-
mission to draw water from a house
near the camp. The owner of the spring
refused them unless pay was given. So
the weary, thirsty men had to carry
water from place several hundred
yards down the hot road. 1t is to be
hoped that the visitors did not take this
ungenerous act as sample of all St.
Johnsbury's hospitality. Few there are
indeed who would refuse the cup ofcold
water" to the meanest beggar.
The people of St. Johnsbury liked the
soldiers and wished they could have made
longer stay, for they were all thorough
gentlemen. The start was to have
been made at $50 a. m. Saturday, but
the great rain and wind storm changed
the plans and the order to march was
finally given for II o'clock Saturday
morning. The companies expect to
return to Plattsburg by train, but if
they march back and pass through St.
Johnsbury, they will receive warm vel.
come from the many friends they made
here.