The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-09

been moe the victim OF more IMPOSE
tion and discomfort than are the
soldiers of any barbarous nation
On tLe face OF the earth. He has
been chartered in pens with
no bedding but straw thrown
loosely upon the floors OF the rattle
trans called houses in the old Shinnston
calap meeting grounds, and covered
with blankets furnished by himself.
He has been compelled to do guard
duty in u drenching rain, unprotected
By an overcoat, while over fifty over
coats lie idle in the Quartermaster-
Generals department at Charleston.
lie has been made the subject OF impo-
sition, hardship, dirt, filth, poor water,
poorer quarters, and filthier food, and
has been compelled TO do menial labor
to secure what little OF comfort was to
be gotten from the extremely forlorn
situation.
On July 3tst the following order was
issued:
BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,
FAIRMoNT, W. Va,
July 3lst, 1891.
Special Order No. 8.
The Brigade Quartermaster will pro-
eeed to Gypsy Grove, look over the
ground selected for the encampment,
and employ tho necessary labor and
purchase material to put the same in
0rter, giving especial attention to the
sinks and places for washing and bath
ing. lie will also negotiate with the
proper authorities NJ Mosgantown for
the use OF reveille and retreat gun
and have it at the grounds by the Cd OF
September proximo, erect q flag pole at
the place designated by these head
quarters, and make requisition for
necessary blank cartridges and colors.
lie will make proper vouchers for labor
employed, material purchased and
transportation expenses, and send
them to these headquarters for ap-
prOval.
by order Of Brigadler General,
B. D. SPILSIAN.
C.L SMITH,
Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Adju-
tant General.
Upon the arrival OF tho troops scarcely
one OF the above requirements had been
met, none Of the labor wns performed,
no sinks provided, no baths. That the
military OF this State is in a deplorable
condition is not to be for q moment for
gotten nor denied.
NOT A CLEAN MEAL.
On Sunday last, while the Rt. Rev.
Bishop Peterkin was discoursing to the
soldiers at Gypsy Grove, dinner was
being prepared, and Capt. W. S. Hamil-
ton, OF Company A. who was officer OF
The day, after consultation with Gen.
spillman, issued an order to the COM
mllssary department requiring all cook
Ing and culinary articles to be thoro-
ughly cleansed, on tho penalty Of arrest
and confinement, and as result OF
Capt. Hlmilton's personal endeavor
'ho boys had ''ciean bile" once at
least, during the encampment. Where
does the blame lie2 Well, the soldiers
say 1t is not with them. They are
manly set Of fellows, and certainly are en-
uiled to better treatment. Each officer,
tis presumed, will cheerfully swear that
II Is not his fault, but the fact vet re-
mans. One man on guard was ap-
preached by your correspondent, and
upon engaging him in conversation,
was informed that he was very sick,
and had been five hours without relief.
Men were put on duty, and sometimes
seemingly entirely forgotten. Dissatis-
lSGhon is so rife that unless consider
ape change comes over the spirit OF
Their dreams several companies will
Never again be gotten together.
These things proee that staff officers
nave been selected with view TO social
and political position, while competency
una hsRess have not entered into the
matter either before nor since the ap-
poIntments, While soldiers were thus
9uartered and treated, the pseudo
Governor Of this State walked calmly
and serenely around among tho officers
quarters, looking as self satisfied as If
the states reputation was not at that
TINE rapidly ebbing away.
Much OF the good drilling on the
grounds can be safely attributed 10 the
eiilcieney and untfring efforts Of Lieu
tenant Colonel R, T. Fast, of the First
J,es'ment, whose efforts were constantly
Gir!ected to the amelioration OF the con-
dtttou OF the boys and secure to them
rs many comforts as the rigor Of the
occasion would permit.
IN this connection it might be well to
add that other officers also studied the
wants Of Hbn ,y,oy, ~. 4 go y