The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-20
.l0Jk FOR FIRST
REGIMENT JANUARY |
Richmond Will Give Local Commands
Rousing Welcome, According
to Present Program.
WON'T REOPEN CAMP STUART
Men Can BE Made More Comfortable
at the Armories Pending MASTERING
Out-MayOr to Name Welcome
Committee Soon.


of Virginia up to last night had re-
ceived no official announcement of the
order issued by the War Department
Tor the return of the First Virginia
Infantry. There Is no doubt in the
minds of officials that the dispatches
are correct. and it Is expected that the
formal documents will be received,
perhaps. today General Sale was out
or town yesterday, and nothing could
be obtained from his Office regarding
the movement of the troops.
Until the adjutant- general returns
10 his office no steps will be taken
for the mastering out of the men.
IL Will require several days to COM
plete such preparations as might be
necessary, the recall of perhaps sew
eral officers. and other matters of de-
tail. On account of General Sale not
having been advised of the early re-
Iiturn Of the troops, 1t Is not thought
-they will move until some date around
the first of January. when everything
will be In readiness to receive them
here.
Won't Reopen Camp Stuart.
When the First Infantry arrives in
the city they will be distributed among
the armories of the city. The Rich
mond Grays will. of course. be ac-
ronmodated at their armory. and the
balance of the troops handled al the
Blues and Howitzers Armories
These will furnish ample accommoda
tons for the men. as there is only
In the First Regiment of Infantry.
1t was thought that Camp Stuart might
again be reopened for the troops. but
this, II Is declared. Will be entirely
unnecessary, as the men can be han
died with greater facility and COM
fort in the city.
1t Ia not probable that there will
be any further Virginia troops or
dered from the border until the First
Regiment has been received here.
mustered out and returned to their
homes. There are not sufficient IA
ctlities hero for handling more than
one organization at a time. Ii is un
derstood that the Second Regiment
will be returned within perhaps fif
teen days after the First Infantry has
been sent Northward. and that the
battalion Of Field Artillery, Medical
Corps. Signal Corps. First Squadron
OF Virginia Cavalry and Engineer
Corps will be received in about thirty
days after the first entrainment Of
the troops
Tho First and Second Virginia In
fantries have been on the border for
nearly six months The balance of
the Virginia troops moved Southwark
about the middle or October All OF
the organizations have been engaging
in intensive military training on the
border. and have won Communications
from the commanders for the excel
lence OF their work. In every move
mcnt on the border Virginia troops
have been picked to participate on
account OF their efficiency,
As soon as the news reached the
city that the troops would return
shortly plans were gotten under way
by Mayor George Ainslie to accord
them q warm welcome. II the men
reach the city at an hour which will
make It convenient. they will he met
a, the station by delegations of C.ti-
xens the Boy Scouts. the municipal
band and after a rousing reception.
they will be escorted to the armories.
To Work Out Details.
Mayor Ainslie said last night that
none Of the details OF the plan of well
come had been mapped out. and that
a committee would shortly be named
10 arrange the program Such sug
sestions as have already been made
may or may not be accepted by them
He stated that everything would be
left in the hands OF those appointed
for the purpose. and everything so far
advocated are not to guide the COM
mtttec In making their arrangements
The Mayor stated that he had re-
uuested c. A. Crawford, president OF
the First Regiment Association. to
furnish him with the names OF such
persons as had been affiliated with
this regiment during the past twenty
Ave years. These members would nat
drAlly have an interest IN the regi-
ment. and 1t Is the intention OF Mayor
Atnslie to address them a letter. In
vtting them to a meeting to be held
In the near future. when a committee
will be appointed from them and the
organization of the welcoming body
completed.
With this as a nucleus. tho Mayor
intends to invite prominent citizens
u unite with them in making the
welcome to be accorded the soldiers
one that will make their hearts glad.
From this larger body OF citizens and
former members OF the First Infantry
various committees will be named to
take care OF the details OF the home
coming. AS soon as Mayor Ainsiie
receives replies to his invitations to
the First Regiment Association MEM
bers he will call a meeting. 1t will
be necessary that prompt action is
taken. for less than two weeks remains
for the completion OF the organiza-
ton and plans.