Breaking ranks and leaving the city.
Just before the command to ‘break ranks’ was given to the First Virginia regiment at the armory yesterday evening,
Colonel Henry C. Jones thanked the soldier boys for their gentlemanly deportment throughout the day, and commended them especially for the military decorum they had observed.
He asserted that within the next two years, judging from present prospects, the regiment would be second to no similar organization in the
United States.
The visiting millitary companies began to leave the city immediately after the return from the exercises at
Hollywood, and at 10 o'clock last night the armories were as quiet as they are when the boys are all off at encampment.
The Monticello Guards, of
Charlottesville, were the last infantrymen to take their departure, while the
Lynchburg and
Surry companies of cavalry were the last of all the organizations to leave the city.
All the visiting militia were loud in the praises of the
Richmond soldier boys, and declared that they had a most enjoyable time.
