The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-28
How the Transit Was Opened.

PANAMA, April 19.-On the morning of the
10th inst, the Pacific Mail Steamer City Of Para
arrived at Aspinwall from New York with the
first battalion United States marines, Colonel
Haywood commanding. That officer i'm
mediately proceeded to the United States
Steamer Tennessee, the flagship of
the North Atlantic squadron. for conference
with Rear Admiral Jouett. who had arrived
the day before from New Orleans via Pensa
cola, where he called to embark the marines at
that naval station, under command
of Capt. r. M. Mead. George A. Burk,
superintendent of the Panama railway, was
invited to this conference, which promptly de-
termined to formally reopen the transit at once.
Orders were given for the marines to be landed,
and formed on the dock of the steamship compa
ny at noon, IN heavy marching order,
with forty rounds of ball cart
ridges, and prepared to take a special train
at p. NJ, for Panama. The passengers, ex
cept few destined for South Pacific ports were
directed to remain on the steamer, and the COM
manding officers OF the men-of-wa in the harbor
were ordered to furnish Colonel Haywood with
Calling and Hotchkiss guns and fifty
sailors to accompany the battalion
Two trains, the first consisting of one
mail and baggage-car, six passenger and two
iron armoreG cars, one at each end, and the Sec
ond of paymasters car, two cabooses, two plat
form and three boxcars were made up and at 3
o'clock moved off amid the cheers of a great
crowd of people of all colors and nationaties,
and the strains of martial music furnished by
the band of the flagship Tennessee, which
accompanied Admiral Jouett, who reviewed the
expedition from the balcony of the Office Of the
steamship company. The marines entered the
train in the order of their battalion formation,
so they could get out and form in line of battle
on either side of the train at the slightest
alarm, and with the least possible delay. The
few passengers permitted to go were placed in
the car
The second train, guarded by details Of ma
rines from the North Atlantic squadron, con-
veyed tents. TOOLS ratons and the spare ammu-
milton of the battalion. Captain Meads com
protect the line there. Matuchin is the
highest and most important station on the
road. and is the center of an extensive country,
which gives it a mixed, and, at times, on Sun
days particularly, very disorderly population.
Both trains cautiously continued the transit, ex-
pecting to find the track removed or bridges de-
stroyed near Panama. Nothing, however, occurred
to delay them, and at o'clock the force arrived
safely at Panama. and was Immediately bivou-
acked in an immense warehouse, where they
spent the night. complete Gordon of sentinels
was established around the property
of the Panama Railroad Company,
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
and the International Canal Company. Twenty
SeutlIlSlS COuStIIute LILO EOfuOu, anu Tile daily
guard mounted consists of one captain. two
lieutenants, two sergeants, six corporals and
sixty priyates. These men, and in fact,
the entire command, have strict orders
not to interfere with the political or social aft
fairs of citizens. and are not allowed to leave the
limits of the camp. which has been christened
Campt Jouett Under three conditions their or
ders require them to shoot These
are, first, in the event of discovering
any one attempting to set fire to property
they guard; second, in case prisoner or per-
son challenged and halted three times, attempts
to escape; and last in self-defense should they
be assaulted while on duty. The sthmus is pa
troied six times daily thrice each way,
by train guard composed OF ten enlisted men,
under commissioned officer. and frequently an
armorsd car, with three guns and a crew of
blue Jackets, is added to the guard. large
mixed and rough population is working the line.
and often they give the conductor much trouble,
especially after payday There are in all 527
marines and % marine officers now on the
isthmus. and 200 more. with officers belonging
to ships of the North Atlantic and Pacifc sta
tons who could be instantly landed