Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-06-27
DEP Arturo OF
ALExANDRIANs
People Turn Out En- Masse
to Bid Adieu to Light
"a. Infantry 20
AFFECTING SCENES
AFFECTING SCENES
Postmaster
Congressman Carlin, Postmaster
Smith, Mayor Fisher and Captain
Johnson Also Speak


Johnson Also Speak
With the rising of the sun over the
oreen-clad hills of Maryland tins
morning, some four score or more
of men and youths who call this city
their home arose to enter on thelr
duties that may end in death 1or
many on the sandy wastes OF Mex
leo. For week past they have neer
preparing to go, but the city did mol
wake to the realization of what their
going meant until the last few hours
Not until the orders were given, the
baggage packed, the kits made ready,
the last sad farewells given, was the
impression really brought home that
their. going meant war-that our
country, after five years OF patient
waiting had at last been forced to
definite issue with the Mexican
Government with results that no man
can foretell.
Long before the hour when the
thistle and hum of everyday lie
in the city begins there was STIR
ring in the homes of many Alex
andrians not only Of those who were
preparing to show their devotion to
the boys in brown by cheering them
as they marched away, but in homes
which loved ones were leaving, and
many a woman's sob and many a
woman's prayer went up as the morn
ing meal, the last that many of the
young sons or, brothers may ever eat
at home was prepared.
For the woman who must weep while
their men folk fight there was no
rlamor or romance of war. Many
were to brave to weep, but there were
thousands of sad hearts as the hour
for the departure of the soldier lads
arrived.
It seems as if all Alexandria turn
ed out to bid the boys "God-speed'
on their journey. The Old CITY,
yhich has been the scene of some re-
markable demonstrations, outdid it
self this morning. {: There was no
great amount of decoration, but nearly
every store and residence along the
route from the armory to the station
bore an American flag and nearly
every spectator wore miniature of
the national emblem on his breast.
By seven o'clock, the people began
| to congregate on King, Washington
and Royal streets, and when the hour
for the departure came King street
was packed with spectators. 1t was
q Quiet crowd. There was but lit
tie if any, cheering; in fact it look
ed as if the great mass of people felt
more like crying than laughing. Here
and there woman broke out In
sobs and many man turned away to
hide the tears which gathered in his
eyes. 1t was, solemn occasion, diff
lferent from anything the younger
1 generation of Alexandria have ever
witnessed. and it brought back to the
minds of many of the older folks the
sad days of '61 to '65 when the rat
tie of the drum was heard in the
streets for many days, followed by
the muffled sound of the hearse, the
two always associated in close con-
tact when war is :at hand.
But Alexandria was proud of its
soldier boys. and the people had turn
ed out to show how strong was their
pride, how great was their faith, and
how earnest were their prayers for
a success to their venture.
Within the period of a week, the
Alexandria Light Infantry famous
in the history eff the military organi-
cations of the state, but fallen to low
estate within the past few years be-
cause of lack of interest, had come
back into its own. From company
on paper with less than 20 men it
marched to the front today with 90
men, and among this number
splendid material for military ser.
vice.
There was but little delay in this
mornings proceedings. Unlike most
of the parades which Alexandria has
had in tha last few wears this wa.