The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-08
RETURNING TROOPS

CONTINUED from First Page.)
headed by Major J. Fulmer Bright
came up to the building. the crowds
cheered vociferously. The men. too.
on entering the armories. gave way
to their feeling of gladness at being
home. and the big building echoed and
re-echoed with their cheers.
All of the officers were very glad
to he home. Major Bright and his ad-
jutant, Lieutenant Leroy Brown. went
to their homes shortly after the ar
rival, and the other officers of the
Grays later left for visit to their
families. Dinner was served the
troops at the Masonic Temple at 2
o'clock, after which the vaGority of
them had leave until 1880 o'clock last
night. a large number were required
to unload the baggage and attend TO
putting the armories in shape.
Colonel Perry Pleased.
Colonel Perry. regimental comman-
der. stated that he was pleased with
the reception accorded the troops. He
declared that they had done well on
the border. and had developed COM
mand of an efficiency second to none
on the border. certainly not in the
Brownsville district Colonel Perry
said that the men had come home
hardened. trained and prepared for a
call at any moment.
He spoke especially on the record
made by the First Virginia Regiment
on the border. They established for
themselves a standing rejecting honor
on the State. In all the work done
by them they showed themselves
quickly adaptable to the situation, and
were frequently called on to take i'm =
portant positions in protecting the bor-
der Colonel Perry stated that he was
proud OF his men, and that they had
proven their worth in the six months
of service In Texas.
While naturally glad to be home, the
troops declare that the trip was one
Of incalculable value to them. They
are glad of the opportunity afforded
them to experience conditions almost
warlike and these experiences Will
make them better able to fight for the
country and be OF far more genuine
service than they could without 1t.
Begin mastering Out Soon.
The work of mastering out the men
will begin as soon as the physical ex-
aminations can he held. Captain G..
/. Jones has been detailed here by the
War Department to conduct the ex-
aminations, and he will be assisted
by one other United states officer. who
has not yet reported, and the medi-
cal staff OF the regiment, OF which
Major Giles r. Cooke Is the head. AS
rapidly as the examinations are over
the men will Re mustered out by Cap
tain John J, Burleigh, OF the Third
United States Infantry, and three as
sistants. who have not yet reported.
1t Is estimated that the complete mus
ter out can be concluded In a week to
ten days.
The First Regiment brought back
about 900 men. or 90 per cent OF the
number taken to tho border. During
their stay in Texas only one death
occurred In the regiment. that being
trooper who was killed by train
some distance from tho camp. The
health of the troops has been admir-
able. Since the men left the border
two cases OF measles developed on
the train, and these patients were
taken to hospital yesterday. About
ten men are still on the border, sew
eral of which number are in the hos
pltal at Brownsville for slight trou-
bles.
Goats and Snakes.
The men brought number OF mas
cots back with them, among them be-
Ing goats, hurros and n species Of
snake, which have been tanned. 1t is
said that the troops kept the snakes
In their tents and even carried them
in the cars back to Virginia. 1t will
doubtless be a common sight in the
next few days to see the men with
snakes dangling about their necks
walking along Broad Street Tho
snakes ARE excellent pets. and are
much favored by the troops.
e In speaking of his officers yester~
day. Colonel Perry referred especially