Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-26
Richmond Grays and En-
gincer Corps Placed on
Duty in and around
Richmond.

Prompt steps to protect all prop
erty Of military or strategic impor-
tance in Virginia were taken by Gov
crnor Henry c. Stuart yesterday after
noon. on receipt OF information from
Washington that the Second Virginia
Infantry had been recalled into Fed
eral service. Six companies Of the
National Guard of Virginia were or
dered on duty pending the mobliza-
tion of the regiment. which is scat
tered in twelve cities and towns.
Armed guards were thrown around
Richmond and other cities before dark
last night. and will he continued until
the present war crisis is over. The
state forces are now on duty. but will
probably be relieved as soon as the
Second Infantry can be mustered into
the Federal service. State. govern
ment and municipal property is being
closely guarded. while private plants
engaged in the manufacture OF muni-
tions or shipbuildng. as we'll as rail-
road bridges and tunnels. have been
placed under surveillance.
or the six compa nies ordered on
duty, five are located in this city and
one in Newport News. The Richmond
Grays' Battalion. First Infantry, COM
manded by Major j. Fulmer Bright.
and Company \. Engineer Corps, are
on duty in Richmond. while Company
c. Fourth Infantry. is guarding tho
big shipbuiding plant at Newport
News. The guardsnen are armed with
the regulation rifles and ball cart
ridges.
ARMED MILITIAMEN
ATTRACT MUCH ATTENTION
While the State military authorities
decline to give out any Information in
regard to specific points being guarded,
armed militiamen At public places at
tractcd considerable attention last
night. Company \, Engineers. was on
duty before dark, squads being dis.
patched TO the most important points.
The assembling of the Richmond
Grays was a more difficult matter. hut
more than half OF the men reported
for duty before midnight. and squads
were sent out as quickly as they could
he equipped for patrol service. Major
Bright the senior officer. is In com :
mand here. working under the direct
orders Of tho Adjutant-General.
In telegram late last night from.
Major General Leonard Wood, com
pt TIC HcW department OF the
Southeast. Governor Stuart was mott.
fed that mastering officers and medical
examiners will lie dispatched to tho
home stations Of the companies to
muster the Second Regiment into the
Federal service. This is taken to in
diCate that the companies. as fast as
accepted. viii he dispatch. ~ the
departmental commander to whatever
points he desires. and that there will
probably hc no mobilizatio: OF the
regiment IS whole at any one poirt.
The Second Infantry had already
been directed by the Adjutant-Genrrai
to prepare for muster-in as quickly as
possible. The companies. in the mean
while. VIII assemble at their homc sta :
tions under orders TO recruit. AS quick
Is As they are ready TO move they
have been directed 10 report here by
telegraph for further Instructions. The
Second Infantry was one OF fourteen
regiments in Eastern States 10 be
called into the Federal service for
guard duty.
VIRGINIA REGARDED As or
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE,
Virginia is ono of tho most Import
ant States. stratcgically, in tho East,