The San Francisco call., 1898-04-16
William Mccleave, retired. of Berkeley,

a native of New Mexico, and enlisted August 15 1894, at San Francisco. From a private in the First Infantry he mas been promoted through the grades or corporal, sergeant, to sergeant t-maJor of the regiment, the highest rank that can be attained by an enlisted man. In anticipation of his commission as sec ond lieutenant at an early date, the soldiers at the Presdio are making ar engagements to present him with sword and belt as a testimonial of their appreciation of his character among them as an enlisted man.
 The following letter received yester- day is self-explanatory.
 The Editor of the San Francisco Call Dear Sir: Will you kindly allow me space in your paper to reply to an article published on the third page or frlqay ; Examiner, headed, Many Soldiers Have Deserted. When War Became Imminent Fair Weather Fighters Left the Ere sidio."? It goes on to state: During the past few weeks thirty men have left the Presidio, and Government officers nave we been detailed to arrest them. As soon as war seemed imminent, said one or the soldiers, a lot of men disappeared. They were soldiers as long IS the Government fed, clothed and paid them but when II seemed they would have to fight they de- serted "
 The soldiers at the Presidio are indig- nant at the slur cast upon them, ana to
  ments being published, winch originated in the imagination of a sensational news paper reporter.
 The statement that during the past few weeks thirty men have left the Pre- sidio and Government officers have been detailed to arrest them is false. Not thirty men have deserted from the Ere sidio in the last three and a half months. The percentage of assertions at the Pre- Sdio is very small, considering that al- most 1000 enlisted men garrison the post and the recent gold excitement in Alaska
 Up to the Sth inst. we had no idea that we would be called into active service in the East; consequently motive or cow ardice can only be applied to the two de- sertions that have taken place since that date; and it is believed that one or the deserters will turn up in day or two. All we ask is that we soldiers be gwen our just dues. ENLIST--O MAN.
 Presidio. Cal, April 15, 1898.
 The first pronounced outward display of patriotic spirit made itself manifest on the streets yesterday afternoon, shortly after it had been announced that the. regular army had been ordered to the front. It was in the shape of two small American silk flags worn on the lapel of the coat, and was seen on hundreds of Iapels.
 The officers are permitted to leave their families at the Presidio, retaining the houses which they now occupy.
  sense that other troops will come in to occupy the quarters. National Guards men will in all probability be assigned to duty al the garrison, but the officers of the State organizations will not oc- cupy the dwelling houses at the post. The United States troops under orders to leave are simply going to the field for active service. Household goods and furniture need not be disturbed. Many of the families will remain here eagerly awaiting the tidings from the front.
 The departure of the light batteries and the infantry will not leave the city without defenders. There still re- main Colonel Morris superb squadron of four troops of the Fourth Cavalry, and no better riders and no abler fighters are found in the service.
 Seven foot batteries of the Third Artillery, commanded by such gallant soldiers as Colonel Miller, Lieutenant Colonel Randolph and Major KinZie, will remain to man the modern guns of Fort Point, AlcatraZ, Angel Island, Fort Mason and Lime Point.
 The orders received by General Shaf- ter direct him to turn over to General Merriam, commanding the Department of the Columbia, the records and ef fleets of this department. The order announces that this department will be merged in the Department of the Colun- bia. It will remain with General Mer- riam to determine whether the head quarters shall be in San Francisco.
 PRESCOTT, Ariz, April 15.-Troops from Whipple Barracks left the post Wednesday afternoon in train of ten coaches, bound for Jefferson Barracks. Mo. At Hoibrook station a section was added to the train filled with two other companies of the Eleventh Infan- fYU from ADQphP of troops from Whipple Barracks was viewed with deep regret by the citizens of Prescott, many of whom were at the train to extend parting courtesieS to the officers and men. The post has since been in charge of a lieutenant and eleven men, sent from Fort Huarchua Dr. Porter of Whipple has been or dered to San Diego and Dr. Evarts to Fl Paso.
 FORT SHERMAN, Idaho, April 15.- At 8 o'clock tonight Colonel Theaker commanding the Sixteenth Infantry, had received no orders to move. A priv ate telegram from Lieutenant Cowles at Pittsburg brought information that the regiment had been ordered South The regiment is ready to move on short notice. There are five compa- nies here or about $50 men,
 SALT LAKE, Utah, April 15.-The Twenty-fourth Infantry at Fort Doug las received marching orders tonight, but no time has been designated for the move.
 CHEYENNE, wyo, April 15-The Eighth Regiment at Fort Russell re- ceived orders at o'clock this evening to be ready to leave in forty-eight hours. A Union Pacific train is or dered to be ready at o'clock to-mor. row morning.