Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-28

Things were very quiet at the armory Friday night as the boys are all packed up and ready to start at the drop of the hat this morning. Both companies had light drills, but as It was the last day they were given all possible time off to bid their friends goodbye. Though the work was slightly relaxed there was no let-up in the vigilance of the guard which was under the command of corporal who patroll.d the entrance to the armory. All of the boys, with the ex- ception of a, few who live near the arnory slept at the armory frlday night. All the heavy baggage Is gone load of approximately slxty.hve pounds for each man to carry. This equipment which is known as heavy marching order includes the blanket roll and the rife. which alone we1ghs nearly nine pounds.
 Many Parting Gifts.
 Friday being the last day that the boys expect to be in town for many a day. there were many parting gifts to the boys in khaki. All of the TaftvilIe boys through the agency of r. B. Ricketson and the Taftville Red Cross. have been supplied with alum mus faced wrist watches. The Wrlst watch seems to be very popular ar ticle for giving for now nearly every boy has one. George P. Madden sent the boys three hundred cigars which were distributed Friday morning. Other local dealers gave the boys wa termelon and ice cream to eke out the government ration for dinner Friday.
 Will Have an Orchestra.
 Friday morning the sound of some of the men singing one of the popular songs gave Sergeant Bartoluccl an idea which he soon put into execution with the result that the Fifth company will have an orchestra. When they ar rive at their station on Plum Island the ochestra is expected to while away many of the monotonous hours; company of glee club will ably also be formed as there is plenty of material.
 Officer of the Day.
 Friday Lieutenant Nichols was off, cer of the day, and Captain Tarbox was officer of the guard. The non- commissioned officers of the guard were Sergeant Bartolucci and Corpor- als Gladue. Barber and Pierce. These were all from the Fifth company, which vas on guard duty Friday.
 This Saturday, morning at $50 o'clock the, two local companies, the Third and Fifth, of the Coast Artillery, National guard, will begin what they hope will prove the first stage of their tourney to the battle lines in France. Il and impati tient to show Uncle sam what they can do in the world struggle for democracy.
 An early rising for the artillerymen this morning sees a strenuous day ahead They will march from the ar mory on Mckinley avenue, arriving at the New Haven railroad station in time to board the train which will leave at $50 o'clock The boys will board the train without breaking ranks.
 Whistles will be blown and bells rung early enough to give the people of Norwich a chance to arrive at the station to see the boys off. In spite of the early hour of departure, the sendoff will be carried out as planned.
 Both local companies of the Home guard will escort the guardsmen to the train and the local troops of Boy Scouts will line up in battalion form and salute the companies ah they pass by on the way to the railroad station.
 To Island Forts.
 There will without doubt be many relatives and friends of the soldiers at the station to bid them Godspeed- London about 7.20 o'clock. Govern ment transports will carry the guards men to the island forts, where they ex- pect to remain for a short period of intensive training before starting on the second stage of the journey that will ultimately land them on French soil.
 The Formation.
 The formation of the procession IS it lines up at the armory will be as follows:
 Tubbs' Military Band. Major John A Hagberg- and Staff. in
 charge of the Home Guard
 Battalion.