Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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Belle Rosa to La Belle (?) Houreah each was loudly applauded. And then the Eastern Coffee House, shall we ever forget it! I know I won ' t. It is true the cups did not hold a tea,spoonful, but each one of us must have had at least a barrel full during our stay. Between coffee with fair Lita and Celeste and tak- ing chances on five cent pins from Edith, we generally left the Streets lighter both in spirits and pocket book. Next door to the Streets was a resort which we attended when we felt that our too exuberant spirits needed toning down; and if ever a place was calculated to secure this result the Palace of Life ' ' and Hello! Central, give me Heaven was that place ' Any further list of the attractions would be tiresome and sound too much like a guide book, so let us pass on to another and if possible, a more pleasant subject. Charleston society with true Southern hospitalit}- received us with open arms; and we cannot thank them too much for the kindness showed us during our stay. Under the auspices of S. C. M. A. Cadets a delightful hop and reception were tendered to us at the German Artiller}- Hall, on Friday night: and we returned the compliment on Saturday evening, at the Auditorium on the grounds. Both proved to be most enjoyable occasions and our only regret is that they were not given sooner so that we might have cultivated the many pleasant acquaintances made there with fair Charlestonians. Among instances of the many kindnesses shown us, we will mention onlv the courtesies extended to the First class by Carolina Yacht Club. Our visits to the Club will not be soon forgotten. The trips to the Isle of Palms and Fort Moultrie, will ever linger in our memories. Through the kindness of Captain Price, our former Commandant, now stationed at Moultrie, we were given privileges not usualh- extended to visi- tors, and received much pleasure and benefit from our inspection of the various batteries and works. Indeed during our whole stay every kindness was sho%vn us by the officers of both Army and Navy stationed in Charleston, and it was through their courtesy, that we were allowed the use of the First Artillery Band, one of the finest in the Arm} ' , at parade. Charleston itself proved to be a delightful old place. Its quaint old houses, the like of which is to be found no where else in the world, its picturesque streets and parks, its magnificent harbour and the beauties of the Battery, all remain indelibly fixed in our minds. Its hotels and restaurants would rank among the best in a city twice its size; and as a further example of enterprising spirit there is the magnificent Exposition, which must be seen to be appreciated. 27 hii

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equalled b)- that spent by the prisoners in the Black Hole of Calcutta, and that spent by us on the return trip. To attempt any description of it would require the pen of a Dante or a Milton, and as I am neither the one nor the other, It ' s b} ' me. However everything must have an end; and the welcome da ' light found us in Florence, S. C, where ever} ' one hastily commenced making futile efforts to get rid of the goodly collection of dirt which accumulated during the night. On arriving at the Exposition grounds, we supposed our troubles were at an end; and they were except for the fact that the camp provided for us had to be abandoned. We finally took up our abode in a large building, which was suit- able in ever}- way and in which we were very comfortable, much more so than we expected to be. Indeed, every possible arrangement was made for our com- fort and welfare throughout our entire stay, except the unavoidable one in the choice of cars. After settling down in our quarters we were marched to the Palmetto Hotel, which, as we were informed repeatedly during our stay was The feature of the Expo-sition. The menu, though not varied, was good; and in that condition of our appetites, we had absoluteh ' no kick coming over the dinner the} ' gave us. Fish, potatoes and liver disposed of, we dispersed into the grounds and town, most of us in search of a bath, which we all needed after our experience of the previous night. From the very first, we say it modestly, but with a due sen.se of our own irresistibility, we took the town by storm; and by night the . M. I. was as pop- ular in Charleston as the Citadel itself. Our faces had become familiar, and we were welcomed every where we went in store, restaurant, and hotel. But it was on the Midway that we won our greatest laurels, and there we will be longest re- membered. There were several centers of attraction there, although all the shows were well patronized. Chief among these was the Old Mill, Si Perkins Grist, a trip through which was ver} ' pleasant alone, and simply entrancing a deux. In fact, the pleasures of a ride through the mysterious tunnel were so seductive that a party of Cadets, unable to resist them broke into the Mill Sun- day morning and started the machinery going, an escapade which caused them considerable trouble and expense. Second only to the Old Mill as a gathering place of the bands were the Streets of Cairo. There we were kings and none disputed us. The camels with fair Oriental riders werep laced at our disposal (for a consideration,) and the galaxy of Eastern beauties in the theatre never re- ceived in their long careers such rounds of applause and complimentary com- ments as they did when we occupied the benches. None were slighted: from La

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I have a constant terror of falling into the vernacular of the Complete Guide to the City and Exposition while writing this article and am therefore afraid to attempt any further description of this historical spot. Although most of us would be ashamed to acknowledge it, one of our chief pleasures was showing off before the crowds at the various parades, drills and in- spections which we gave during our staj ' . Even the most hardened shell- backs among the First-Class privates strutted around like a running corps before the immense throngs which were always present. The day after our arrival, Wednesday, being Virginia and Pennsylvania day, we were marched to town and escorted Governor Montague and his staff back to the Exposition Grounds. Ranks were then broken and we attended the exercises in the Audi- torium. Excellent speeches were made by Governor Montague and Governor Stone, of Pennsylvania, in both of which very complimentarj ' allusions were made to the Corps. Governor Stone in particular brought down the house by saying very drolly that thirty odd years ago he would not have faced two hundred gray uniforms so complacently. After the speech making was over and our stock of patriotism nearly exhausted, ranks were formed again, and a review was given before the two Governors and an immense crowd; after which we were given some well earned rest. Another striking military feature was the Regi- mental Parade on Saturday afternoon, in which the Corps of the South Carolina Military Academy and two companies of U. S. Marines joined forces with us, the combination eliciting much enthusiasm from the assembled spectators. But we will let the reproduced newspaper clippings and subjoined letter from Governor Stone speak for themselves. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER. II. KRISBURG, Pa., April 26, 1902. Major H. C. Ford, Commandant, Corps of Cadets, Virginia Military Institute, Le.xington, Va.: My Dear Sir:— I was much interested in reviewing the Corps oi ' Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute at Charleston last week. I have never seen a finer bodv- of young soldiers. Erect, proud, fearless in everv look and action, they recalled to my mind the staunch and steady columns which marched under General Lee forty years ago. The Southern army as well as the Northern army, were filled with boys who upheld the examples of their sires, and the Corps of Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute very well reflect the love for the Union 2 8