Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-26
LOCAL COMPANIES NOW
 AT THE ARMORY.
Soldier Boys Are Eagerly Waiting for
 the Gall to Move.


 1 what greeted anyone, soldier or civil | ian, who attempted to go into the ar
 mory on Mckinley avenue yesterday, | for the local militia companies are in uniform, ready for the final word that will start them off for the active duty l that they have been waiting for silEe ] rhe break with Germany. The sight i of the men in khaki has been a stimu- =
 lating one,i if one may judge from the number of applicants for enlistments yesterday. Both companies are now we'll over war strength, with a large
 number of men waiting to be examinef | by the surgeons. The Fifth company was on guard duty Wednesday, and 1 they certainly did keep a military strictness about the armory. Lieuten- ant Nichols was officer of the day and Lieutenant Avery was commandant of the guard. Sergeant Bartolucci had general charge of the men on guard duty, while Corporals Ricketts, Rob inson and Jewett acted as his assist ants, taking four hours off duty for every two on duty. Bugler Dougherty was musician of the guard.
 The Fifth company's baggage was all packed early Wednesday even the Third company worked until near midnight before the baggage If the Third company was finally locked up in
 the big chests. The company com
 manders had orders to have all bag
 gage ready to move by 1 o'clock
 Thursday at the latest. Over half of
 the men stayed at the armory over
 night, the others-those living in the
 city-sleeping in their own homes.
 The men are all eager to go and seiIa
 with aVidity the many rumors relative to their departure.
 Wednesday the companies, with the exception of the men on guard duty drilled on Chelsea Parade Both morn ing and afternoon saw the veterans struggling with open order drills and the rockies mystifed with squads left. The companies were each di- Vided into two platoons one composed of the older men and the other of the new recruits. One of the company officers said that he had never seen troops take to the drills so easily. Lieutenant Britton of the regular army has been appointed to fill the vacancy in the position of first lieutenant of the Third company.
 The soldiers of the companies were the recipients of many gifts Wednes- day morning when they left home Most of the gifts were given with an eye to the needs of the soldiers rather tsan their beauty. At the armory Wed. nesday each captain was presented Witha wrist watch by patriotic citizens who withheld their names. During the afternoon woman came to the armory and turned over to the officer of the day four pairs of knitted wristlets. all she could afford. She said she had four relatives fighting in France and that she wapted to do something for the American soldiers. At a late hour Wednesday night the fund for the companies totalled $725. It is expected that the thousand dollar mark will be reached before Thursday night, the time limit.
 The Fourth Go. c. A, C. N. G.. arrived in New London, Wednesday 1 afternoon in special train with all ! 3aggage from Bridgeport. The com | pany is under the command of Capt | A C. Bennett and went at once to l Fort Wright. There are over 100 men I in the detachment, including a mum | Der of rockies
 The reason that this company has i arrived before the others is that it is already al in the federal service. The which is in the federal service also will arrive in New London probably | Thursday and go to the forts.
 Coi. Henry $: Dorsey, commander of the Connecticut Artillery corps, whose headquarters is at the state armory in Washington street New London, received orders for the de- part9re of the men under his com nesday morning. The orders are that | all the Coast Artillery militia of Con- necticut assemble in New London and go to Fort Wright Saturday morn Ing.
 Every member of the First Co., c. A., c. N. G., was at the armory in New London at : o'clock Wednesday morning Tn uniform, ready to answer he call to duty. Only one member 1 1T the Tenth Go. was missing at roll call and it is understood by the off, 1ers that he is now in the federal ser vice in France
 The men now in the service will be l given their June examinations when hey reach camp. - It generally hap oens that 10 to 20 men are dropped rom each company on that examina- ion on account of disabilities which hni ,,1o 1 will be filled by the extra men who 'an pass the examinatio and if there Ire not enough reserves their enlist nents will be secured.