The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-11-06
COMPANY &c" ESCORTED
TO ARMORY BY PARADE
Homecoming of Guards;s:en an Event
In Cambridge History-T!,onsands
Or People Meet Train at II %. m.
Soldiers Will Be Banuueted
Tonight


Company G, of ths First NIarylana
Regiment, which patrofeu the Sney;-
can border nearly four months, h.
| turned to this city Saturday night ons
a special train, which arrived at the
P. B. & w. depot at eleven o'clock.
The troops, having been demobi-
lized Saturday morning, left the
Fifth Regiment Armory early in The
afternoon for Camden station, where
they boarded the train which brou-
| ght them direct to Cambridge. 1t had
been reported that the boys would
| come on the regular night train,
which gets in this city at few
minutes of eight o'clock, and at sew
en- o'clock the depot was crowded
with people awaiting anxiousiy the
return of the soldier boys. Then
came telegram saying that the spe-
cial train could not make the trip be-
fore eleven o'clock, but, undaunteu
by thunderstorm and rain, the crowd
remained until quarter after ten
O'Clock, when the fire whistle was
blown as signal that the train was
but few stations away. This great
ly augmented the number of people
already at the depot, and by the time
the old engine slowed down for Com
pany G TO detrain, there were two
thousand people on the platform, land
lined up on Maryland avenue
There was a craning of necks as
the throng pushed toward the tracks,
eager to catch a glimpse of the boys
who had answered Americas call,
and had gladly gone to the front to
give their lives, if their nation had
required such sacrifice.
Rejoicing on the part of the fami-
lies at the return of their loved ones,
and the affectionate greetings and
handshaking were entered into by
even disinterested spectators.
The parade, which had been plann-
ed by the citizens of the town, was
formed on Maryland avenue. Mr.
Vernon S. Bradley, marshal, led the
procession, riding on beautiful
white horse. The next in line were
the Mayor and Town Commissioners,
and the Reception Committee, who
were followed by the members OF
Rescue Fire Company. The Boy
Scouts, the survivors of the Civil
War, the Spanish American War, and
other conflicts, preceded Company C,
which was headed by Capt. Hirst.
Bringing up in the rear were scores
of automobiles. The procession
marched to the tunes of Maryland,
My Maryland" Dixie" and other
national airs, played by the Citizens
Band, which disbanded in the sum-
mer, but which cheerfully got to-
gether for this occasion.
The parade proceeded across the
bridge, turned from Market street
into Muse street, and on to Gay.
Here the soldiers found large
American flag across the street, a
symbol of welcome from the fire
fighters, who have been guarding
Cambridge property while the troop
ers were away on their mission OF
life preservation. The next street
was Poplar, and then came High.
The parade continued to Church St.,
while Company c marched into the
Armory. The throng of citizens
which had followed the boys swung
in after them, passing under large
banner at the entrance to the Ar
mory, which read Welcome"
Once inside the building, Captain
Hirst commanded short drill, pre-
paratory to disbanding. About half
past eleven o'clock the soldiers were
free to go to their homes, a happier
crowd than when they left Cam
bridge the last part of June, enroute
for Camp Harrington, at Laurel, Md.
One of the best features about the
return of Company is the healthy
condition which every member is in.
The boys look as if Uncle Sam has
fed and kept them we'll during their
absence from home. Every soldier
but one has returned home. First
Sergeant Jesse NJ Bradley, Jr., who
was i'll at the time the troops left
Eagle Pass, Texas, is expected to be
able to make the trip in the near fu-
ture. Mr. Bradley, who was operat-
ed upon for appendicitis sometime
ago, has not as yet regained his
health, although it is hoped that he
will be able to come home in about
a week.
The boys seemed to thoroughly APP
preciate the rousing welcome they
received. The business houses and
residences were decorated with flags
and Maryland colors, heralding the
Homecoming, while, across Poplar