The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-19

where q review or the marching col
I umn could be made.
Eessnich's hand. arrayed In their
bright new uniforms. led the process
sion. and behind them came automo-
hiles filled with veterans from the
Soldiers home. Now and then the
band played Dixie" and the faces OF
these bat.ie-scarred and age-worn
veterans of many bloody fields III
with a softness born of tender re-
gniniscence of the days when they too,
marched as proudly back from scenes
or danger. 5ol and death The grey
of their uniform stood as an emblem
Of the devotion 70 cause which had
lasted through the years 10 breed In
the hearts Of the young men behind
them patriotism that would send
them eagerly into the midst of any
peril for the sake OF the honor of
native land
Former Blues In Parade.
Behind the veterans, the cadets
from John Marshall High school, fol
lowed in full dress uniform. under the
command OF Captain Ayres The Boy
Scouts. with their bugle corps, came
next and then the Howitzers military
band After this contingent, three
hundred ex-members OF the Blues,
one detachment OF them wearing the
picturesque and handsome full dress
uniform worn by the battalion in
ether DAYS. and the other dressed In
citizens clothes. acted as the vanguard
Of tho regular troop
Then came the Blues Some disap-
pointment was expressed that they
were not mounted. but they made q
splendid showing. Ali tanned. erect
sobered Of countenance. much strong
er from exposure to hard work and
hot border climate. they presented
an appearance that could not be ex-
relied Occasionally the order came
AT rest" al In the few seconds OF
halt. the crowds rushed around them,
shaking hands aaa yelling some
greeting to friends. all eager to have
word with any OF the boys
For the first time since the soldier
s activity has been the foremost TOPIC
d 81 thought ana conversation. has
] 1here been demonstrated a real lively
ana whoie-hearted feeling by crowds
IKE that assem- bled yesterday The
bands played Dixie" again and again
and few Southerners are there who
iail 10 thrill 10 the strains of this
nid southern song The streets were
hlled with cheers--not half-heartei.
matter or fact outbursts-but real.
wnoie-souled cheers OF happiness and
enthusiastic patriotism. The crowd
about good aaturedly. pushing for
: ward TO The marching line as closely
~ the detail of mounted policemen.
and OF Boy Scouts. would allow
Traffic was held up. and the soldiers
were escorted down the packed, al
most air tight. Sixth street to their
Hnal halt at the armory
Crowd Storms Armory
Several thousand people crowded
some glimpse OF sons brothers, hus-
hands, until the police were forced
70 push the crowds back from the
door. tpstairs IN the armory, the
boys were greeted by a banquet such
as they had never seen for many
moons. and Governor Stuart gave
I. them warm welcoming talk. Other
speeches were made, including brief
addresses Z , Mayor Atnsiie, Adjutant -
tienerai Sale AMI others When tho
Festivities We're over. and the routine
Il business Was done, the boys were al
lowed leave OF absence until this
morning. when they will return 10
Their posts. and the business OF the
battalion attended to.
No one of the battalion Is sick. Of
ncers said yesterday, and Captain
Cusehins. acting major and comman-
can't OF the troop. said they acquitted
themselves on the border with the
same clean sheet the Blues have al
wAys been honored with. About halt
OF their horses were brought back
with them. and will be CHARTERED here
st the expense of the United States
government Work OF mastering out
he troops will begin soon. and Il is
thought they will be returned to pri-
vAte citizenship within week.
Guvcrnafor Feeds Troops,
AZ the armory, @. E Guvernator,
the weil-known local caterer. is In
charge OF mess" and will provide
food for the troops until they have
been mustered out Guvernator has
been In charge of the "rations'' OF
the Signal corps and the Engineering
corps also, since their return. The
Blues brought back with them a mum