Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-19
Soldier Boys Leave Washing
ton on Four Trains.
PERFECT ORDER PREVAIL S
Departure Accomplished Without
the Slightest Confusion.
FEW RELATIVES AT STATIONS
"Heartbroken" Mothers and "Weep-
ing" Sweethearts Noticeably
Absent.

descriptive writer would have found a
paucity of local color at the Baltimore
and Ohio freight station this morning
when the District National Guard en-
trained for the camp of instruction at
Gettysburg. There were only few
weeping and clinging sweethearts" to
disturb the proceedings, no 'heartbroken
mothers folded their sons to their
breasts" and there were absolutely no
''salvos of cheers as the long train pulled
slowly out Of the station and disappeared
in the distance"
AS a matter of fact there were four
trains instead of one, and as further
matter Of verity\ the proceedings were
just as strictly businesslike and devoid OF
emotional and sentimental interest as II
the soldiers were leaving some city a
thousand miles or more from their re-
spective homes.
Four trains, of twelve cars each, were
ready for occupancy in the freight yard
at 6 o'clock. The first to be filled left at
o'clock. This carried the field artillery,
battery and for the officers. Neatness
and dispatch characterized the depar-
ture Of the first section and only a hand
full of civilians saw 1t leave.
Shortly after 8 o'clock the members of
the staff of Brig. Gen. Harries arrived,
followed almost Immediately by the 1st
Separate Battalion Of colored troops.
They occupied the section which left at
$50 o'clock.
Two Regiments Arrive.
In the meantime the 1st and I'd regi-
ments had gathered at the Center Market
Armory and marched to the point of de-
parture. The Ist Regiment arrived a
little ahead of the I'd and occupied the
cars of the train comprising the third
section This train got away at o o'clock.
The fourth and last section, occupied by
the I'd Regiment. left at $50 clock.
Perfect order characterized the arrange
ments from beginning to end. There was
an absolute lack of the confusion which or
dinarily attends such events and 1t cannot
even be said that there was any 'bustle.' u
Every one seemed to move with the per.
feet precision Of cog in some importan,
In fact, all concerned seemed to be goine
about things in q leisurely manner, hui
that was an optical deMsion, due to the
utter absence Of even a single case OF
forced the rule of "a place for every man
and every man In his place..
Men All Examined.
All Of the guardsmen were subjected to
| physical examination by the military
| surgeons before they were permitted to
leave their armories and not more than
three or four were ordered to remain at
home, which speaks well TO the general
health of an organization comprising 1,OO0
men, not. all of whom are accustomed to
roughing it..
Though the railroad officials have prom
ised to get the first section into Gettys-
burg at II o'clock and the other sections
at half-hour intervals thereafter, most
Of the officers were inclined to the belief
this morning that at least six hours
would be required to make the trip.
which is a roundabout one.
Nothing will be in readiness for the
guardsrnen when they arrive. There was
no advance guard, as in the good old
days of yesteryear, to put up the tents
and have everything waiting for the ar
rival of their companions. the tents
were carried on the trains which left
to erect them themselves. SO that con-
ditions Of actual warfare can be approx
imated as closely as possible.
No Luxuries This Year.
"No more wooden floors, porcelain
lined refrigerators and other such lux
uries for u.s." said one old officer, sadly,
this morning. Il guess It's better. but
those were the happy days, however"
Friends desiring to write to any of the
guardsmen during the next two weeks
are urged by the military authorities to
use the following form of address to In
sure prompt delivery Of mail:
PRIVATE JOHN SMITH,
Co. L. 1st Infantry, N. G.. d. c.,
Camp of instruction. Gettysburg. Pa.