The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-17
Official Welcome to
City Extended
by Mayor.
FIRST DAY SPENT
AT PROVIDENCE;
New England Pilgrimage Starts
4, OFF With Marked Dernonstra-
tons of Hospitality-Rich-
mond Soldiers Greeted by
Continuous Applause
During Parade.
tSpec,alto The Times Dispatch. J

q
Providence. r. l.. September 1.-THE
New England pilgrimage OF the Rich
Mond Blues started here to-day with
one Of the hear;iest welcomes ever ac-
corded any organization BY the city Of
Providence The Virginia soldiers ar
rived here this morning at s:3o o'clock
on the Merchants and Miners Line
boat. having had fairly comfortable
trip from Norfolk, and raving TO port
ahead OF a stir storm that gathered
when the vessel was a few miles south
Of the Rhode Island coast.
Al the wharf the visitors were well
coined By the First Light Infantry
Regiment of Providence In true mill
tary form, and were escorted to the
Narraganset Hotel for breakfast After
the Wishing delegation and their hosts
were seated in the dining hall. Colonel
". VI. p. Bowen commanding the Prov
idence companies. introduced Mayor
Henry Fletcher. of this city. who ex-
tended the welcome TO the Blues. In
has remarks the Mayor spoke OF the
rare pleasure it afforded the city Of
Providence to receive such distin-
guished guests, and said further:
Recalls Richmond Visit.
In bidding you welcome to the city
! want TO embrace this opportunity to
express TO you our sincere thanks for
the incompatible cordiality and cour-
tesy with which you so gracefully en-
tertained our own soldier boys Of the
First Light Infantry on the occasion
of their memorable visit to your beau
tiful city two years ago
Such entertainment as you provid-
ed from accounts brough, back from
courtly old Virginia must have eXem-
piifed to perfection the true hospi-
tally OF the sunny South. To your
bouniiful Southern hospitality our in
fantrymen fell without reserve, for
you had irresistible siege to their
hearts. and We want you to surrender
to our efforts to entertain you. with
out the discharge Of musketry or the
drawing of you. keen damascus
blades.
Gentlemen OF the Richmond Blues.
the city of Providence is yours for as
long time as you will be pleased to
honor US with your presence"
A souvenir Key Of the City" was
presented to each member Of the Wis
iting contingent. and then the line
was formed for the march to the DeX-
ter training ground, past the City
Hall. where the line was reviewed by
the Mayors OF Providence and Paw
tucket and members of the city gov
ernments Of both cities. Governor
Pothier was in carriage in the line.
Addifionsl C0mpliment.
= novel feature of the parade was
tne escort furnished by Troops c. First
Squadron Cavalry of Rhode Island
National Guard. Captain E. Merle Blk
l. commanding. The Blues are a part
OF the Virginia National Guard. and
this escort was appreciated as an ad-
di,ionaI compliment By the visitors.
During the entire march the crowds
applauded the visiting Blues continu-
ously. The honorary stan comprised
several Independent military organi-
stations Of Boston. Manchester. Wor-
-cester, Hartford. Putnam and New
Haven.
AZ the Dexter training ground the
Governor reviewed the line. and at the
conclusion Of this compliment to the
Governo. the Commands were marched
1nto the State Armory and were the
guests Of Troop c at luncheon. Then
the visitors were taken to Crescent
Park. where a genuine old-time Rhode
Island clam bake was served. The
party then -e-embarked for sail to
Newport, where tn: Newport Artillery
became the hosts OF the Blues and the
First Light Infantry. The ocean drive
was taken by the visitors. and there
was a street parade. which was ac-
corded rousing ovation
Upon the return to this city late
tonight the Blues were escorted to
headquarters OF the First Light In
fantry. where open house was kept
oil night