The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-08
Train Left at Early Hour This
Morning With Richmond
Commands
FIRST UNIT TO LEAVE
IS GIVEN OVATION
Thousands at Byrd Street Sta.
ton to Wish Men Godspeed.
.upply Company to Go
Soon

Last night Richmond babe farewell
to the nrst military contingent to leave
the city for service across the seas
with An unrestrained show OF emo
ton by the mothers. sweethearts and
friends. and fathers and brothers So
bered by an appreciation Of the grim
Journey on which they were starting.
hundreds OF people representing all
sections and all classes OF the city
filled the Byrd-Street station last night
to wish Godspeed to the members of
the Richmond Howit4ers. who left for
Fort ogIethorpe. where for = few
short months they will train for SER
vice on the western front.
The seriousness OF the war stu
alton. and the extent to which II IL
being realised by the people. was evil
denced last night by the touching fare
wells for sons and sweethearts- Hardly
m eye was not dimmed with tears as
the last kiss was bestowed or the last
handshake given. and the women and
GiTlst. their faces strsaked with tears.
showed the extent of their aacridce for
the cause OF democracy. Nctwith-
standing the tearing asunder OF home
ties. and bonds between friends. the
soldier boys kept UP their courage. and
when solicitude was expressed for
their health or safety. they assured
their friends and families that every
thing would Be al right.
Iranpa GaxeA 0xa31 ~ ~ w.
/ Tue to the uncertainty as TO tbs
time Of departure ~ early as o'clock
found streams Of people pouring into
the Byrd Street station 20 bid the
troops farewell II was not until some
hour and a half later that the How
itxers. led by their own band. marched
into tbs station. All along the route
from the armory to the train the
troops were given an ovation. but
when they entered the trainshed en-.
thusiasm broke loose. and cheer altar
cheer rose for the men. In short
time that had been assigned to their
coaches. and for two hours several
thousand people poured into the sta
tion to tell tho men goodbye. At mid
night the station was cleared. and the
men settled down for the night The
departure was delayed on account OF
the great amount Of packing to BE-
done. and after the horseA were put
| aboard, early this morning. the How
litxers moved out about . o'clock
In addition to the private fArewelIs.
city and military ofiicials were also on
hand. Mayor Ainslie. Ad1utant Gen.
eral W. w. Sale. Major Allen Potts,
Major LeAfasurter. John HtrschberE.
chairman Of the administrative board.
and other oficials were At the station.
Lieutenant E. r. Reese was In
- nt~fv n
Myers having been granted . fur
Tough in order that he might conn
plets his business AFFAIRS here. There
were is3 men In the battery. andSin
addition to Lieutenant Reese. Lieuten-
| ant Myers accompanied the troops.
1 rAsutsnant Wood went 10 Fort OglA.
| thorpe last week with 4 detachment
| Of meu and the heavy equipment and
Lieutenant Pollard will stay on duty
| in Richmond until the necsssary seven
| men needed for the battery have been
scored It was at hrst believed that
only two men were required to bring
tho battery to full strength. but when
| the Total Was taken yS6tefday after
moon IL was found that the number
enlisted was short ssven of the re-
Quired number.
The troops travelled IN four tour
L 11I cars An0 NWV IUbAuou E0tC. All
addition there were the necsssary bag
gage cars. and cars tor the horses,
thirty-two Of which were taken. There
vas much heavy equipment and all
day Yestarday the Ha4n we're kept busy
with big automobile trucks conveying
tins material 70 ths train.
Supply Company eeea to Go.
travelling with the battery was Ma
J0r +. At. wuythHnf. COMMUNICATING ondcer
Of the First Hattaiion Of virginia Field
ARTILLERY. and his stan. There was
also the headquarters detachment Of
twelve men. The supply detachment
did not accompany the troops. on &C.
count Of being Held up on instructions
| from Governors fslAnd. II was stated
| last night that they would leave the
lcfty about Tuesday. In command OF
|Lieutenant Edward !. Kssgan.
Information was received last niGht
that the batteries OF Portsmouth and
Norfolk wculd leave for Pstersburx
about osclock waiting IN that city
| for the Hl6hmond battery. when sthe
sutira baefA4len would proceed to Fort
ogiethorpe xAey made the connsc-
ltton ah1nt clock this nsorning.
The lieAt Fetp thAt tell last night
ala, net 4skee - erew6a 1sosn eeeinG
fFH1 6oy1 an 44lIy otl@ 04euTF0nco wAa
trSp@etaA ~ n S43 1ol3lt ~ ~ crush n
ikla stati 1Ai6 = YSn1s6 Gir5
n M 49, "a Nh