Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-12
MARCH INTO ARM0RY no
STRAINS OF .DIAIE:,

STRAINS OF "DIAIE:''
The Howitzcrs marched into the
drill hall to the tune OF Dixie" but
the strains OF the military band were
drowned by the yelis that greeted the
boys. Marching at attention. they
took their places at the table. The
band struck into Hail. Hail, the
Gangs All Here aud the crowd took
up the refrain. Home, Sweet Home =
led by Miss Mary Simpson. soloist at
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church. was
sung BY the big audience, which later
Joined in the singing OF America"
Captain Lorraine. president Of the
Howitzers Association presided at the
banquet. He called upon n wartime
member OF the battery. Dan Mccarthy.
TO ask a blessing. The feast WAS then
served. While tho men were putting
away tho home-cooked viands. Gov
ernor Henry Carter stuart arrived. ana
as he entered the hall all stood AT at
tcntion until he was seated.
Governor Stuart was the first speak
er. He stated that this was proud
day for Richmond, and that officially
and personally IL was a proud day, for
MIN. He contrasted The brown faces
and stalwart forms OF the men with
. their condition when called into SER
vice. Never. he stated had he seen a
more impressive parade.
GOVERNOR AND MAYOR
MAKE ADDRESSES
Il was looking upon real soldiers"
the Governor said. They are men
willing. ready and trained to defend
their flag, and in these days when all
is dark and uncertain. II is comfort
ing thought that we have such men in
Virginia"
Allegiance 10 the nag OF the united
country was emphasized by the Gov
crnor.
Lieutenant-G overnor j. TAYLOR Ely
son. a veteran Howitzer. was the sec
ond speaker. He told the guardsmcn
that II was proud day for the vet
Grams when the Howitzcrs marched into
camp ready for service II is stiIl
more gratifying to the old men. he
stated. that they did their duty so we'll
and have mainta ined the unsullied rep
utation Of the organization Their
service. while not on tho battlefield.
was worthy of the old battery and old
conditions.
spoke on behalf of the city. The whole
city. he stated. takes pride in the fact
that the HowitZers have not a single
mark against their record.
GLAD TO KNOW RICHMOND
HAS SUCH DEFENDERS
Il am leaving the city Tonight, and
| am glad to know that the law and
oToer ol the city mas received another
guarantee of preservation by the re-
turn Of the Richmond Howitzcrs I
hope that nothing Will ever happen to
carry you bnck into service, but we
cannot tell what may happen in the
near future. Without being fulsome /
can state that the people of Richmond.
in event OF trouble will be glad to
know that they will be represented at
the front by such an organization"
lie closed by wishing the orGaniza-
ton every success. The men. lie said,
showed by their service that they are
the kind that succeed
On behalf of the Richmond Howit-
zers' Association and the veteran
members Of the organization. Judge
George L. Christian. a wartime mem
Der OF the command, welcomed the bat
terry back to the city. Judge Christian
paid glowing tribute to the battery
and extolled it's service on the border.
MYERS RESPONDS on
BI1HALF OF BATTERY
Captain William NJ. Myers made the
!. response on behalf of the IIowitzers.
Speaking to the large audience, he
said, In part:
II return these young men 80 you
with no record of battles won on Mcxi-
can soil. through tho wonderful fore.
sight of our President and II guiding.
Providence. Though they return with
out bloodshed. they may tell you that
the discipline in this organization was
more rigid than in others at Camn
Wilson. Some may tell of hards,.ips
inflicted upon them for laxity IN dis
cipline. Some may tell you that they
could not leave the cars on the trip
home. except under orders.
There is record behind all of that,
however. or the $4,000 troops at San
Antonio, the health i'm this battery
was better than any other oreaniza-
ton. When ordered to our home sta
ton. We were the only organization to
leave Camp Wilson without surgeon
accompanying us. The court-martiol
record OF the organization was below
that of any other organization of our