The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-22
Railroad Station Witnesses
 Many Affecting Scenes Graybeards R e c al1in g Days of '61 Weep As
 Young Men March Away.
Mobilization of State Militia Progressing Rapidly = Bridgeport Contingent Will Be Stationed at Fort Wright.

Stirring scenes at the armory, on the streets along the line of march, marked the departure of three com panies of Coast Artillery and medf- cal corps and band from Bridgeport this morning.
 Many fond adieus were given the departing troops at the railroad sta Ltionj by sweethearts, wives and moth CTS as the khaki-cIad soldiery clam bered aboard the special train at 9:20 for the journey to Fort Wright.
 Though orders indicated that 10 days practice is to be held the pre- vai1ing opinion today among the troops and general public is that the period will be extended indefinitely with 9 possibility of the local com panies being called to the front to man such big guns might be en- placed on the Mexican border line as frontier defense.
 It is estimated that fully 1000 re1a.- tives and friends of the 143 officers and men who left here today under command of Lieutenant Colonel Vim cent M. King, gathered at the rail- road station to honor the defensive forces. Many affecting scenes were witnessed, when gray-haired fathers and mothers kissed their sons, hus- bands in uniform pressed babies to their breasts. while wives held the short but heavy Sprfngfe1ds of the men, and pleas for safety and written word was made by the Igaily dressed but hopeful sweethearts and friends of the enlisted men.
 On the special train destined direct for New London, nine cars were re- quired to hold the troops, which in c1uded three companies from Bridge port, and Medical Corps and Band, and two companies from Stamford one company from Norwalk, one com pany from Greenwich, one company from Danbury, making a total of 588 officers and men.
 The battalion under command of Lieut.. Col. King, with First Lieutenant Arthur l.. Larocque as adjutant, in cludes:
 Second Company. c. A. C., Capt. Louis J. Prague, 57 men.
 Fourth Company, Capt. Arthur c. Bennett, 59 men.
 Eleventh Company, Capt. Elias s. Hall, IT,, 63 men,
 Coast Artillery band. Paul GoIding, leader. and George Raymond, drum major, 26 men.
 Hospital corps, Major Frederick J. Adams in command, Capt. Richard English of Danbury, Capt. Ross Black, New London, and Lieut.. George B. Gsar1ick, Bridgeport, 23 men.
 Seventh company, Stamford, 69>men.
 Ninth company. Stamford, TO men.
 Sixth company, NorwaIk, 78.
 Twelfth company, Greenwich, 60 men.
 Eigth company, Danbury, 68 men:
 The local companies were called to the armory this morning at 7:3O, where assembly was sounded at o'clock sharp. It was brisk and snappy work of getting prepared for the Journey. Full marching equipment was required consisting of guns, ammunition, blan- kets, shelter tents and the necessary eating and intrenching tools. Inspec- ton of the companies and equipment was immediately made and the men found to have been particularly care full
 The battalion was formed in col unnns and the order to march given at exactly s:3o. Headed by the Coast Artillery band, the column marched down Main to State to Courf1and to Fairfield avenue and thence through the vfaduct to the east platform of the station.
 At the armory many interested spec tators were held back with difficulty by one lone policeman. Along the line of march, the olive drab uniforms were greeted with cheers and flags flew or were waved from the buildings and windows. Cheering was frequent and many calls of Good Luck were heard. Throngs gathered on the side walks and as a vantage point for the oncomfng procession nearly 300 peo- pie took station on the railroad via duct crossing Fairfield avenue.
 As the column swung from Fair field avenue into Water street the ap- p1ause was great.
 Upon the station platform the com panies were drawn up in close order and the command "At Rest gave an opportunity for the long lines of troops to mingle with thosea who had come to see them off.
 The parting was a notable one from the fact that the troops were outnum- bered three to one by those who came
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