The morning call., 1891-03-05
HOME FROM THE WAR
Return Of the First Infantry
From Pine Ridge.
Splendid Appearance of the Men-No Casual
ties to Report-The Regiment Weakened
by Transfers

The First Infantry Regiment, q. s. A.,
Colonel William A. Shafter. commanding,
reached here yesterday morning from Pine
Ridge Agency, Nebr., where they were
posted as reserve force during tine recent
campaign against the "Ghost Dancers"
AT Oakland Wharf they were taken on
BOARD the steamer General Mcdowell and
conveyed to their old headquarters at An
gel Island, two companies stopping off, en-
route, at Beniecia, where they will relieve
battery c, Fifth United States Artillery
The men looked none the worse for their
experience with the Indians, and a more
Jolly and contented lot of men it would be
hard to find. All wore the rudy hue of
health and the russell hich comes of expos
ure, though that was reduced to a mini
mum by the comfortable wintero outfits with
which they were provided.
APPEARANCE OF THE REGIMENT.
These consisted of fur cap, huge brown
canvas storm-coat, lined with dark-blue
bianketing, fur gloves, top boots and
Leather leggtns This uniform had any
thlng but sOldierly appearance, but it
spoke louder than words of the excellent
care taken of the men by the Quarter
masters Department. Most of the officers
returned with full sets of furs and one
proud OF an elegant coat Of silyer-gray fox
skins which he spOrted.
Upon landing at the island the new arri-
walls relieved Battery X, which had garri-
s0ned the post during their absence, and at
noon these were transferred TO the Preside,
the Government steamer which bad trans
ported them afterward going TO Benicla to
bring down the battery which had tempo
rarily garrisoned that post.
SKELETON COMMAND.
No casualties occurred to the regiment
since its departure in December last, still it
lacks eighty-tive of its former strength.
One death occurred, that Of Lieutenant Ma
son, who died a day or two before the reg-
ment was ordered home. Several men
serving their first enlistment were discharged
under the operation of the Lew law, which
makes the term of enlistment three years,
aud the balance, some eighty strong, fancy
ing the climate of Dakota and Nebraska,
we're transferred at their own request to
regiments stationed there. ln consequence
oil these changes, and the additional Tact
that Company has been ordered to Fort
CASTOR, the five remaining companies at
reglmental headquarters present the APP
pearance of skeleton regiment. The COM
handing officer on that account has made
application Tor 182 recruits to fill up the
ranks.
CAMPAIGN NOTES.
The rank and file report extremely cold
weather around Pine Ridge-so cold, III
fact, that they could barely keep warm day
or night. For all that they admit that the
campaign was not as severe as they had eX-
pected Four of the companies did mounted
duty during the trouble and for eight days
the entire regiment was under arms outside
the agency awaiting a threatened attack
from the Indians. Beyond this they took
no active part in the subjugation Of the
red men.
series of accidents delayed the COM
mand two days on the road home. Bad
connections and broken engine were the
causes which contributed to this.