New Britain herald., 1916-06-19
NEW BRITAIN BOYS
 EAGER FOR SERVICE
Members of Compan- ieS E and l Anxious for Word to Start for Texas or Mexico


 are fully prepared to answer Pres3- dent Wilson's order to mobilize and only await the official comman1 from Adjutant General George M. Cole, which it was announced at he cap- itol today will come at o'clock to- morrow morning upon orders from Governor Marcus H. Holcomb. Both Captains Henry F. Ladbury Ind E. Raymond Low, commanding Com- panies I and E, were at the State armory on Arch street early today and spent the morning hours working out details and interviewing prospec- tive recruits of which a number ap- peared. Captain Ladbury enlisted two men and both captains anticipated a busy evening tonight
 Details Worked Out.
 Tn anticipation of orders to mobilize preparations have been made weeks in advance to call the men together without loss of time. Captains have been instructed to notify lieutenants, :, the order in turn to be given ro ser geants and corporaIs in charge of squads Recruiting has been going on for a number of weeks, especially In the case of Company I, which has lost eighteen men through ex- piration of term of service and by mem bers leaving the city. New re- cruits have for the most part taken places and both captains are confi- dent the companies will be recruited to the required number of sixty-five Inside of twentyfour hours.
 Present Strength.
 At the present time Company I has a mem bership of forty-fve and Com pany has forty-one men. It is re- quired that both be recruited to six ty-fve before leaving the armory for field duty. Captain Ladbury antici- pates that both companies will be held at the armory from three to ten days to permit of full recruiting. is- suing of equipment and some pre1irn- mary training. At Mantle, where the Connecticut troops will encamp and prepare for service, the com papies will be recruited to full war strength; 150 men, Recruiting officer, Lieutenant Walter Haley of the United States army, will at once open a recruiting office at the armory which will be kept open as long as men are needed.
 Quiet at the Armory.
 
 tary activity at the state armory this morning. As stated both captains were engaged in interviewing pros- pective recruits and taking toll of equipment. A few of the soldier boys, having read accounts of the presi- dents order to mobilize, were gath cred in the company parlors tnd spent the hours in social amusements and quiet discussion of prospective troop movements but aside from this there was little to indicate that active preparations for the stern duties of a soldier were in the works.
 Ladbury Seasoned Soldier.
 Company has but two commits stoned officers, four sergeants and two corporals. Captain Ladbury Is g. splendid soldier and saw active serv- ice in the Spanish Am ercan var He enlisted in Company of the Second Massa chusetts Infantry twenty years ago this September and was mustered into the United States army as a mem Der of that regiment at the outbreak of the Spanish war in May 1898 The Second Massachusetts, as will be re- called by many who remember the Spanish war was first sent to the camp at Chfckanauga and later went to Tampa where 1t embarked for the campaign at Santiago.
 The regiment was in the thick of the fighting at Ell Caney and San Juan Hill and later took part in the me- nnorable seige of Santiago, which end- cd in the surrender of the Spaniards to General Shafter. Captain Ladbury took an active part in the fierce fighting both at Ell Caney and San y,sI welt famous. Following the mastering out in Nocember. 1898, Captain Lad bury returned to militia service in Company and was honorably dis charged in April, 1899. He re-enlist- ed May 31, 1900, and remained in the service until July. 1907, as a mem Der of the non-commissioned staff
 He was appointed second lieutenant of Company I on January 14, 1912, and was chosen captain on March 26, 1914. Captain Ladbury is an expert marksman both with the rifle and re- volver and has won many prizes in competitive shoots.
 Raymond R. Rand is first 1ieuten- ant of the company and while regard ed highly as an officer and soldier has had no previous military service. The company at present lacks a second lieutenant, but one will no doubt be assigned immediately following the order to mobilize. Peter F. Duffy of P1ainvil1e is first sergeant of the com pany and the other non-commissioned officers are Quarterma r-Sergeant Dewey M Norton, Sergeants, Albin W. Ezekiel, George H. Garter and Nor bert E. Earth; corporal Joseph Soko- vich; musician, Robert F. Anderson,
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