The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-02
EASTWARD BOUND.
Departure Of the First Artillery
From the PreSidiO.
The Soldiers Will Revel in Tourist-Cars, and
Feast on Beans - Thursday the
Day for Leaving.

hcoiu6liLS anu otShi-oCClo III suO
of the Preside will witness on Thurs
day next spectacle resembling in some Of
its features the pomp aud circumstance of
glorious war; for on that day the First
Regiment United States Artillery, Colonel
L. l.. Langdon commanding. will take its
departure for tine East, after having been
stationed here for little more than eight
and half years
1t is no easy task TO transport regiment
a distance of 1890 miles, with all its Quar-
termasters stores, and it is only at rare
intervals that it is undertaken. 1t has been
for many years the policy of the War De-
partment to assign the various commands
to different posts throughout the country
in rotation, on the ground of simple just ice
to the officers and men.
1t is held that all should be allowed the
privilege of duty at the more desirable
posts, of which San Francisco ranks among
the first. To keep man stationed at a
frontier post year after year, while his
more fortunate fellows are enjoying life at
headquarters, would seem unjust, to say
the least, and hence the numerous transfers
that are made from time to time.
The First is the third artillery regiment
which has been assigned to duty on this
coast since 1867 the other two having been
the Second and the Fourth. OF these the
first has been stationed at the Preside
since 1881, having been ordered here after
three years service on the New England
coast, and for more than one year rumors
have been afloat from time TO time to the
effect that it would be transferred.
THE ORDERS WERE NO SURPRISE.
1t was not surprise, therefore, when
about two months ago orders were issued
from the War Office at Washington for the
transfer to New York Harbor to relieve the
Fifth Regiment, United States Artillery,
which will arrive here on or about the 18th
inst The latter will leave Jersey City on
the day on which the former will take its
departure from San Francisco, and they
will pass each other en- route.
When regiment is about to be moved
the first step is taken by the Secretary Of
War, who issues the necessary orders,
designating the commands interested and
stating the place to which they are to be
assigned for further duty. This is trans
mitted to the department commander, who
specifies the date for the movement to begin
and arranges the necessary details. In most
instances, however, the War Department
directs the manner in which the troops
shall be transported. If by rail or steamer
bids are advertised for and the contract for
carrying the men is awarded to the lowest
bidder As sometimes happens. the initial
and objective points are close to each other,
and in that case, if deemed advisable, the
men are ordered to march, generally as
matter of discipline. In the present in
stance. of course. the two points are so re-
mote from each other that the troops are
sent by rail. and the contract has been
awarded to the Central Pacific, Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific and the New York,
Lake Erie and Western.
A special train Will be provided, consist
Ing OF Ina found
sary to the comfort of tie troops, and will
run through from San Francisco to Jersey
City, arriving at the latter place not later
than May 10Th. Pullman cars will be pro-
and the rank and file will occupy tourist
sleepers. This will make the trip much
less arduous than in days gone by.
MARCHING RATIoNs TAKEN.
The enlisted men and the non-commis-
stoned officers will take with them ON board
the cars their overcoats and blankets and
marching ratiOns for the trip. Each man
Will carry in addition a canteen, haversaek,
knife, fork, spoon and tin plate, to be used
during the trip. Their rations will consist
Of bard bread, baked beans and preserved
meats, and arrangements have been made
to supply the men with coffee at stated
points, twice day.
They can also, if they desire to do so,
purchase soft bread; but this, of course,
they Will be compelled to pay for them
selves, as it is never included in the regu-
lar rations. The arms, full dress uniforms
belt and extra clothing belonging to them
will be taken in charge by the Quarternas-
ter OF the regiment and forwarded so as to
reach New York Harbor by the time Of the
arrival of the special train.
The officers, who have their transporta-
ton paid by the Government, are allowed.
as other passengers. 100 pounds of baggage
each, but out of their individual pockets
must come the money necessary to pay the
fare and travelling expenses of their fam
lilies, and the freight on any personal effects
not allowed to go as baggage. Many of
them have furniture and this they must
either dispose of as best they can, and al
ways at great sacrifice, or pay for its car
rage at the rate of 81 so a hundred pounds
from San Francisco to New York.
a few do the former thing, but most of
them prefer the latter as less expensive in
the end but moving is at all times to them
a costly affair. Few army officers of long
standing there are but have realized the
truth of the old aphorism that three re-
moves is equal to fire"
PULLMAN sLEEPERs PROVIDED.
En- route they will be provided, as before
stated, with Pullman sleepers, but this they
must bear the expense Of personally, as that
company has no connection with The rail
roads who contract to carry the regiments,
and the Government pays only the actual
cost OF transportation. Officers and their
families will procure, by previous arrange
ment. their meals at certain points, where
are located eating-hOuses.
OF the batteries composing the First Regi-
ment seven are now at the PreSidio, two at
Aicatraz Island, one at Fort Mason BLACK
Point, one at Fort Candy, Wash, and one
at Fortress Monroe, Va. The First Cavalry
battery will join the regiment Ell route and
will proceed to Jersey City, with the excep-
tion of Company e, which will be assigned
to duty at Salt Lake. On arriving at their
destination the batteries will be distributed
by steamer among the forts in New York
Harbor. The officers, such as have fami-
lies, will be allowed to select their quarters
from among the houses provided for them,
except In instances where two come in con-
fiict and then the senior in rank has pre-
cedence.
In the orders for the transfer Of the regi-
ment 1t was stated that such enlisted men
as have but short time longer to serve
would, il they desired, be allowed to re-
main, to be attached to the coming Fifth
Regiment. Under the provisions of gen
eral orders the following have been ordered
10 Dc lett at theli present stations upon the
departure of the regiment:
Non-cOmmSs stoned staff and hand Presido-
Principal musicians Frederick A. Maynard, AL
peri " Hofen, PTlvates Herbert NJ. Burrell,
giuseppe Gianitti, Philip Fienger, James Ryan,
August Hossfeld, Ceestlno Ratti.
Battery A, Presidio-Sergeant John McArdle
Muslclan Thomas Rice, Prlyates Thomas NJ.
Shields, Peter Smith, Alphonso f. WoOdman
Battery C, Presidio-Musclan Robert Wal
pole, Privates William u. Atkins, Thomas
Burke, Harrison l. Eddy, William III. McFerrin
Thomas OConDell, DanaI q. Shields
Battery d, IPresldio-Corporal Samuel R. VIII
Jams, PTivates James Dunn, Robert Fisher
Nicholas P-Lynch, Joseph Nolan, Otto Kaiser
Harris Shoup, John Young.
Light Battery l., Presd0-First Sergeant WILL
lam Matthes, Sergeant Heury OLSON. Prvates
James Burns, Theodore A CuerrIngs William E.
FERGUSON, George Harding. Dennis Heaey,
Thomas Kelly, Evan ID. Lewis, James Meagber
Henry Mlbauer Patrick Terney, William nj.
Weber, Wilbur e. Walker, Edward Woods, Cecil
L. Montague.
Battery Il, Presidlo-Prlvates Thomas j. Beas.
ley. Henry Blum. William Foley, Joseph Miles.
John Murphy, Thomas Farrah.
Battery /, Presidio-Privates Albert Blackman
Thomas Regan, Thomas OConnor, George Leihy
(Fort L0welD
Light Battery X, PresIdio-Sergeants Peter
LaudreIh, George b. Thorpe, Musician Gustav
Jefferson. Prlyates Thomas Gogglns, Dennis d.
hogan, charles L. Knight, Thomas Mcdowell
Henry BONN, Ernest A. Dunstan, John q. Sha.'
han.
Battery L, Fort Mason, Ca I.-COrporaIStakes
s Pa pd.Ia