The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-28
BLUES BATTALION
BACK FROM CAMP
Men Arc Tickled to Death Over
Week. Outing, and Wanted
to Stay Longer,
EVERYTHING is SERENE
No Unpleasant Features to Mar
the Trip-Probably Drop
Crutchheld Case.

Tickled to death. while inelegant. is
the easiest and quickest description
OF how the 200 members of the Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues Battalion
feel over the weeks encampment at
Basic City, which terminated yester
day. Travel stained and Drowned by
the unaccuStomed exposure to the sun,
the gallant battalion arrived home yes
tcrday afternoon at $50 o'clock, and
III less than an hour the veterans OF
peace were safely ensconced In their
several homes, where the marks of
the strenuous campaign were oblt-
Grated. and meal that was meal
eaten once again
Never have the Blues had more sue
cessful outing, according TO the bat
alton officers, The weather conditions
have been superb. only one drill being
missed during the encampment. and
that a company formation such as can
be given in the nrmory. The drill was
confined chiefly to open formations.
very little closed order tactics being
INDUCED III. Long hikes were not at
tempted, but every effort was made
to get the men familiar with field tao
tics. and the work along this line
prove very instructive to the whole
command. The officers were particu-
larly pleased with the success which
attended the several problems at
tempted by them, and the manner in
which the men carried the plans out.
Pleased with Treatment.
If the Blues are pleased with the
treatment given them by the residents
of Basic City, the people of the little
mountain village are no less satisfied
with the visitors. Just before the
train pulled out yesterday letter
signed by Mayor L. II. Heathwole.
Ice pp
George Mitchell, Sergeant S. T. Rogers.
councilmen and business men. In which
the battalion was congratulated for its
gentlcmanly bearing and uniform cour-
tcsy in its intercourse with the resi-
dents OF the town. was received. Their
appreciation of the honor of having
the Blues as their guests was eX
pressed. and they regretted that the
visit should have been so short, This
last clause was echoed by the men,
number of whom circulated n petition
TO Major Bowles asking him If there
was not some way to have the trip
extended another week.
The return trip started at 1880 =.
NJ. the run TO Richmond being made
in less than four hours. The command
is loud in its praise OF the excellent
service rendered by the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway, which was such a
contrast TO the former trip the Rlues
was made up OF four day coaches, one
Pullman and two baggage cars.
Large Crowd ut Depot.
At the depot awaiting the arrival
OF the troop train were the mothers.
sisters and swecthearts of the militia
men. When the train pulled into the
station the men quickly dctraincd. and
in three minutes had taken up the
march TO the armory. Here again an
other large crowd had gathered TO well
come the returning heroes. After re-
pcatedly cheering the officers and
others who had made the occasion a
success, the men were dismissed. The
larger number went home with the
dusty war toys on.
Major Bowlcs had little 10 say CON
corning the trip, but expressed him
self as extremely gratiflcd by the re-
suits OF the week The discipline was
excellent, there being no trouble, With
the exception of one or two minor in
fractions of the rules. The battalion
WAS satisfied with camp conditions, and
all bucklcd down to hard work with
out Erumble.
When asked concerning the dlsposi
ton OF the case OF Private j. r. Crutch-
field. OF Company Is. who had to come
back from camp by orders OF his EN-
ployar, Major Bowles referred the
question to Adjutant Tucker. who will
act as attorney in the matter.
Action Not Positive.
Lieutenant Tucker, while unable to
state positively what action will he
taken, was OF the opinion that the
State will he powerless TO punish the
offending concern. Private Crutchfcld.
who is employed by the j. /. Case Motor
Company, has written to Major Bowlcs
asking thar nothing be done. as it will
work 10 his disadvantages. The COM
pany is a foreign corporation, and as
the offcnse was a misdcmcanor. and
there is no resident manager, II will
be difficult to take steps against the
responsible party The telegram re-
calling Private Crutchfield was sent
from a North Carolina point.
Four companies and the battalion
band made the trip to Basic city. The
command numbered 1s5 enlisted men
and sixteen officers. During the en-
campmcnt no sickness was reported.
/ Lieutenant Elmer Rice. United States
/ Army, was detailed at the camp. and
was very complimentary concerning
the general conduct and military skill
Of the men. Ills report Will be made
TO The War Department