The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-03
BRIDGEPORT
BOYS READY
TO DO DUTY
Second and Fourth Compa-
nies, Connecticut Coast
Artillery, Prepared and
Fit for Service.
Quiet Marks Mobilization at
Armory In Contrast to
Days Of 1898 -City's Roll
of Honor.

Ready and eager for active service
the officers and men of the Second
and Fourth companies, Connecticut
Coast Artillery, are assemble at their
Armory in Main street. Orders for
the mobilization Of the companies
came last night and this morning
found no "slackers.''
Where they are going or when,
neither the officers Or men have yet
learned, but they are In gay spirits
ready and willing for anything.
Roll call at 1880 this morning found
six men missing, from the Second
company. Two are in the Bridge
port hospital and must be left behind.
the other quartet are working out of
the city but have been notified and
have sent word they are on the way,
to report here. The Second company
has 80 men and II others took enlist
ment papers today. Capt. Louis j.
Brague, commanding the company
expects to have full rams by to-
night.
The Fourth company, commanded
by Capt. Arthur G.. Bennett, has 106
men and expects to have full ranks,
100 men, by tonight. Two men are
on sick list and three are out of the
city. Except for these all others re-
ported for duty today. A large num-
Der Of men in both companies have not
complete equipment as yet.
1t is the second time in less than
score of years that National Guards
men have gathered in the armory in
response to the call of the President
Of the United States, but in the scene
this dull and lowry Tuesday morning,
April 8, was little like that witnessed
the bright Wednesday moring, May 4,
WIN Battery B, First Regiment Ar
tillery, Conn. Vols, was assembled fol
the Spanish American war.
Then the streets about the armory
were thronged with civilians, men,
quiet grave faces and many of The
women and children in tears at the
expected parting from loved ones in
the ranks Of the "Boys in Blue" In
side the armory too there was a great
throng. Members Of the other Ma
tional Guard companies were assem-
bIed to do escort duty for their COM
rades called into service.
Groups of wives, mothers, and
sweethearts and Of the male relatives
stood about the floor awaiting anx-
iously and uncertainty for the final or
der which would send their dear ones
marching off to war. fearful good
byS were said over and over again
until the final order to march was
given. A big delegation of Grand
Army men in uniform marched into
the Armory and shook hands with
every one of the members of Company
K assembled for duty.
Today, however, there was mark
ed difference. LESS than half a dozen
women visited the Arnory all day.
There were no crowds either in or
cut of the building. There were no
tears and little excitement. Perhaps
this will come later when the COM
panies get marcing orders. The men
of the companies called were in buoy
ant spirits, however, and after being
allowed to stand "at ease" after roll
call, they broke into groups. Songs
were sung and the men laughed and
chatted until about 10 o'clock when
In0y were O1SIIilSSGu OuC IiOAS WCAo
allowed to leave the Armory.
Capt. F. L. Dengler, U. S. A., the
nspector-instructor of the Connecti
cut Coast Artillery corps, will be the
mastering officer for the local troops.
He was one of the first men at the
Armory today and will. remain until
the physical examination Of the men
is completed and they are sent into
service. The men are all in federal
service from the time they reported
today. They will not be required to
take any further oath of allegiance
but those who do not pass the physi-
cal tests will be excused from federal
service at present. Examining sur
geons are expected here this after
noon from Governors Island.
Recruiting for all the organizations
VIII go on until the marching orders
are received. Enlistments began this
morning shortly after the roll call Of
the companies. First Lieut.. George
I. Garlick of the medical corps, was
at the armory to examine recruits. The
first recruit was Paul Alderman, who
joints the Fourth company as a pri-
yate.
CONTINUED on Page 3.)