The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-22
Major Bright Compliments
Men on Splendid Work
Done in Southern Cities
BATTALION PRAISED
ALL ALONG ROUTE
0vations Received and Plau-
dts Won By Organization
Acca Temple Band and Vet
Grams Contribute to Success

As fitting conclusion to the
triumphal tour Of the Richmond
Grays Battalion through the South,
came the words of commentator
spoken to the members OF the BODY
by Major j. Fulmer Bright. COM
manding ofYlcer. at the Armory yester-
day The Grays. accompanied by the
veterans OF r. Lee Camp NO l.
who Joined the Grays' special in Al
lanta Friday afternoon. arrived at
Main Street station at SEQ o'clock
yesterday morning
The train pull ed into the depot with
the big party, personally conducted
over the entir, route of more than
1900 miles by Magruder Dent. district
passenger agent of the Southern Rail
way, on scheduled time, FRIENDS OF
the Grays were on hand in large mum
hers to greet the returning heroes OF
a conquest that led through the
peaceful fields OF military display,
Commended BY Commander.
Little time was spent AZ the depot
The men. in their fetching dress ami
forms which contributed no little 10
the volume OF attention paid the Pat
TALON on the tour, formed alongside
their cars and at the command from
Major Bright marched forth and on 10
the armory nj Seventh aud Marsnaii
streets There assembled in the dr'li
room. they stood at attention While
Mater Rrtgh, spoke briefly his appre-
CATION 0f the splendid demeanor Win
which they carried themselves since
they left Richmond last Monday n3Sht
Major Fright complimented me men
IN their work AS soldiers ana as
gentlemen. which had compelled the
adusi re ton ana respect OF the people
- 81 the cities visited during the
v.>k. ana assured them that they had
-ft,ff.- sustained A4s confidence ~, ihs NJ
when ne had concluded, the batahon
<rr~ttof-e orders and allowed 10 GO
10 their respective homes
Every man in the battalion Was
ham, when the train pulled into
Richmond As the special came along
,he Southern tracks on the chester
field side Of the river there we're seN-
oral who remarked that the James
locked mighty good that Richmond
has some scenery too and all were
apr4ed that Richmond Ia a good town.
All For Enjoyment.
Though every man had Thoroughly
en,oved the trip, the hospitality eN-
tended all along the line, the fare
served bv Caterer q T.. GuNenator and
his assistants. the comfortable accom-
n,odations provided by the southern
Railway. and the courtesy and fine
afahiiity OF the specials personal con-
ductor. District Passenger Agent Dent,
and though there had not been a dull
moment nor a disagreeable incident
during the entire week, each private,
each non-com and zach officer heart
ilv welcomed the sight OF the hills
on which Richmond sits and of the
tall buildings and broad streets OF
home"
Many OF the men had been so busy
enjoying all the good things that the
people Of the several cities had g.
Them. the generous periods of lih@r:
in which to see the sights. and tie
comforts OF the train trip itself, hat
They did not realize that many more
waking hours than usual in a week
had been INDUCED
The men were On leave in Chat
taneoga. where Lookout Mountain
claimed their attention for more than
half day; in Birmingham, whore
they we're the distinctive feature Of
the Reunion parade, a day and a half;
in Atlanta. where they we're guests
| OF the Fifth Georgia Regiment and
where they gained thundsrous rounds
Of applause with their clever work
|
dress parade. more than half a day,
and In Charlotte. where Saturday
hundred thousand Carotinians cheered
them to the echo as they swung ryth-
mically along at the head of the great
est military pageant the Queen City
has ever seen, fun day
Richmond Receives Benefit.
Not only did 'he Grsys win piaudl,s
from crowds WHO watched them in
aNOlfltt2s ~ x A,,,
were praised ~ highest terms by vari-
| Gus r1uric.psi and police authorities
EWho declared hey lad never had
With them more orderly. gentleman
hodv Of soldiers. Richmond was
put on the map completely, and in
such n way as pleasant memories cf
their visits VIII long linger In the cities
In which theN- Mera- aatN+tafr~d-
The Grays, too will long remem her
the trip. Al its features were most
pleasant, There was no sickness Of
consequence, and no accidents 10 mar
The veterans of Lee Camp also left
the train shortly after its arrival
They went TO their homes thoroughly
happy after having had one of the
hest reunion trips in the history Of
reunions Nc Illness no accident no
disappoiptmsnts had interviewed. 1t was
4 good trip. good time and good
ending.
The Acca Temple hand which en-
l,vered the Virgi.'a delegation with
inspiring martial Music. and whose
members were entertained by the
shriners In the several cities. lost no
time getting to their homes here. For
the musicians for the soldiers and
the veterans, the trip wnr big one. a
fappy one.
Richmond's representatives at The
t.onfeaerate reunion contributed In a
large wsav ~ making the reunion and
the big Mecklenburx celebration tho
nnoak aucceaeen that they vpArA