Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1898 — THE TROOPS GATHER. [ARTICLE]

THE TROOPS GATHER.

Gen. Brooke Aaiomei Command a* Chickamauga Park-Train Load of Soldiers Arrive. Chattanooga, lehh., April si.—cavalry and artillery from all parts of the country poured into Chattanooga Wednesday. Maj. Gen. John R. Brooke and his staff, of the department of the lakes, arrived from Chicago late in the afternoon to assume command at the Chickamauga camping ground. Gen. Brooke came on a special train over the Nashville, Chattanooga <fc St. Louis road from Nashville, the regular train having oeen so mtfbh delayed nvrore reaching that point by trains carrying the troops, horses and camp equipment of the Third cavalry, who were on their way to Chickamauga from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., that connection was impossible. Gen. Brooke was met some distance out of Chattanooga by Quartermaster General Lee, who reviewed the general situation with his superior officer and accompanied him to Chattanooga. Following chose upon Gen. Brooke’s arrival came the first section of the train carrying two squadrons of the Third cavalry from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., In command of Majs. Weasel and Loud, with the horses, wagons and camp outfits. It was not until five p. m., however, that the thousands who had gathered In the union station and in the railroad yards had a chance to give vent to their enthusiasm Whan the second section came in with ten coaches filled with brawny blue-coated warriors from the west, cheer after cheer went up from the crowds. The soldiers cheered in return while a bugler on the platform of the front coach sounded the call to arms end as the train slowly pulled Into the depot the outstretched hands of the troops were filled with flowers by the pretty southern girls. Far into the night companies of cavalry kept coming In, four train loads of troops from Fort Myer, with their horses and accoutrements, arriving at intervals of abput ad hour.