Zzzour two Crack cadet Corps. Guard Mount on the Capitol Square-movements of the handsome lads.
To almost every citizen there is a peculiar fascination for military
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evolutions of whatever kind, and when the tactics are to be performed by such admirably trained troops as the Virginia Military Institute cadets, the feeling of interest is very naturally intensified.
It was not surprising, therefore, that a vast concourse of people assembled in the
Capitol Square yesterday morning as early as 7.30 to witness the cadets go through the ceremony of mounting guard at the
Capitol.
Promptly at 8 o'clock the corps marched into the square, looking remarkably smart and soldierly in the close-fitting gray tunics and spotless white pants of their full-dress uniform.
The evolutions were, to the majority of those present, as novel as they were interesting.
The orderlies were marched on, company detailed, and guard formed; then followed the inspection by the adjutant and sergeant-major, after which the guard was relieved; the new guard march down to the armory, followed by the relieved guard.
Twenty men were mounted on each occasion.
Here, as everywhere along the line of march, the appearance of the cadets excited the utmost interest and admiration.
They performed all their manoeuvres with a precision born of discipline and careful training.
Their bearing is soldierly and smart; and murmurs of admiration followed them all along the line.
The cadets were quartered on the second floor of the
Habliston building, 905 east Main street. The military packs, which were ordered to contain a change of pants and brush and comb, lie picturesquely scattered upon the straw, which is arranged around the room, to serve as a pelisse.
The arms were stacked down the centre of the room, and the washing-basins arranged at the end. The cadets were immensely pleased with their reception here, and spoke in the highest terms of the courtesy shown them by the ladies, and of the ball given in their honor at the
Masonic Temple on Tuesday night.
Considerable disappointment was felt that the Blacksburg cadets had to defer their dress parade and exhibition drill until to-day on account of being detailed as the
Governor's escort.
The exhibition which will consist of dress parade, guard mount and drill, will, however, take place at Camp McBride, which is situated at the
Lee monument, this afternoon at 5.30 o'clock.
This efficient cadet corps seemed to vie with the Virginia Military Institute corps for popularity.
Whenever they appeared along the line they were greeted with the wildest enthusiasm, partly, no doubt, the outcome of an honorable prestige, but mainly on account of their uniform smartness and soldierly appearance.
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Their movements were one and all performed with precision.
Their arms were lowered with a sound as of a single musket; on the march their lines were dressed to a nicety, and their discipline was uniformly excellent, and that under trying circumstances, for they were the admired of all admirers, and this was an occasion when admiration was openly and often loudly expressed to the manifest embarrassment of many who were more easily disconcerted than these well-trained cadets.
They were unanimous in the expression of their gratitude to the ladies who had so kindly entertained them at the
Masonic Hall on Tuesday, and declared their intention of sending a written acknowledgement at the earliest opportunity.
Their general reception, they said, had been cordial and gratifying in the highest degree.
