The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-22
Col. Harry ID. Smith Formally In
stalled Yesterday as Commander
OF the Second Brigade.
PROTEST FROM COL. SPILLMAN
COL. GUNDER ALSO TEMPORARILY IN
COMMAND OF A BRIGADE.
Col. Fred Grants Experience with the
Railway thOrities-Incidents
"A Fatal Railway Accident.
STAFF Correspondence of the Journal.

LYLE Ga. May 21.--The water famine
at Camp Thomas is exceedingly serious, and
it is only sheer luck that Indianas men are
faring slightly better than the others Col.
Smith and Adjutant Powell have to remain
for hours at the spring near their lines to
prevent threatened fight between compa-
MES from other regiments clamoring des-
perately for a chance at this water FRI
day night one of the boys discovered an
unopened spring while skirmshing, and he
staid all night at the place watching the
find, while his companion reported at head
quarters, and all this afternoon detail was
searching for this courageous boy, who is
still on guard at the spring, no doubt. This
afternoon another unopened spring was
found several miles away, and Colonel
Thayer and posse went to take possession.
They had not returned to camp by o'clock
in the evening. The boys of the Second on
guard duty were painting and begging for
water this afternoon. There are some off,
GERS who say it is almost criminal to camp
so many people with no water for them. The
weather is intensely hot and a choking dust
almost buries the park.
Col. Harry B. Smith was formally in
stalled in command of the Second Brigade
of the Second Division this morning by
virtue of his senior rank, and Adjutant
Powell becomes assistant adjutant general,
leaving Lieut.. Col. Edward Thayer in COM
mand of the regiment, Guy Boyle becoming
regimental adjutant. This temporary pro-
motion has excited the boys of the regiment
to the hope that Colonel Smith may be pro-
NOTED to brigadier general, as he is very
popular with his men, and his conduct in
camp has won commentator from the high
er authorities. Colonel Spllman, of the
First West Virginia, entered a formal pro-
test, addressing it to the secretary of war;
against Colonel Smith assuming command
of the brigade, as he claims he is the senior
colonel. Assistant Adjutant Powell prompt
ly forwarded the protest to General Arnold
of the division, and the boys Of the regi-
ment are laughing in their sleeves at the
West Virginian, anticipating his chagrin
when his secretary of war; protest reaches
Major General Brooke in the regular chan
mel.
Colonel Gunder will also be in command
of a brigade temporarily, the general Of the
brigade having been passed up to a division
command
Surgeon Charlton was to-day ordered by
the surgeon general to vaccinate all men in
the regiment who need it, and half of them
will have to bare their arms the next few
days
The officers held conference on opening
a beer canteen in camp, but did not settle
the matter There is some prejudice against
the canteens by the chaplains, but it is
recognized that the boys better have pure
beer than suffer from thirst. A canteen
will probably be opened. Colonel Stude-
baker says his canteen was opened in self
defense. No treating is permitted and
c1Ia rd iC CT f IN fbo drO Il
ing too much of the beverage.
AT 4 o'clock the regimentaI officers en-
deshabille rode several miles to go SWIM
ming.
A serious railroad wreck on the road to
Chattanooga prevented mail deliveries to-
day. Tons of mail lie unworked in the
country store, and it will be days before
home letters are delivered. Frank C. Will
son, photographers, of Indianapolis, was in
the wreck, but escaped by jumping from
the train.
A party from Indianapolis, headed by
William H. Schmidt, and including John B.
Cockrun, r. o. Hawkins H. c. Adams
John McGregor, Bert Adams, II. C. Nc
Gre Horace Smith, George Lazarus, Oat-
ley Jckrum, Fred Wade and Charles
Rauser, arrived here at 8 o'clock tonight
in Mr.. Lazarus's car, and will take Sunday
dinner at camp with Colonel Smith and
Captain Curtis.
The regiments quota of mules was not
delivered to-day. Captain Curtis, through
the friendship of Captain Richards, United
States army, under whom he served dur
ing the past encampment, secured two of
the finest mule teams in camp to-day. Pri-
Yates Milliken and Guy Hawkins were
placed temporarily in charge. The artillery
men are in fine trim, without a sick man.
q. L. p.