The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-20
EIGHTH REGIMENT.
Day OF Excitement and Changes
Among the Men at Camp
RAnpRtt

Barrett
CAMP BARRETT, SATHER STA
TON, July 1s.-The monotony of camp
life was all broken up from the moment
of the first bugle sound this morning, for
the members of the Eighth Regiment.
The men were just awakening when the
powder magazine, less than a quarter of
a mile away, blew up. For a moment 1t
was thought to be an earthquake, but
the cloud of sand, dirt, brick and frag-
ments of timber, clothing and human
flesh that went up into the air and soon
began to rain down throughout the camp
made all realize the terrible tragedy
which had been enacted. A moment later
horseman came racinginto camp calling
for assistance to succor the killed and
wounded and fight the flames, which gave
evidence of completing the havoc
wrought by the explosion.
Captain w. H. Simpson, Company G, of
Alameda, seemed to be the first to realize
what had taken place and in less time
than it takes to write it he had his COM
mand going out of camp in double quick
time toward the scene of the disaster. The
surgeons, Lieutenants Dudley and Yost,
called Hospital Steward Taggart to bring
the stretcher and necessary supplies,
which he did in quicker time than the
corps has ever turned out since going into
the volunteer service. On their arrival,
however, it was seen that but little aid
could be extended to the wounded. Medi-
cal attention was given Deputy Sherlffs
Lerri and Cameron and Mrs. Hall The
former died almost on the arrival OF the
physicians, while Mrs. Hall fingered only
about a quarter of an hour The reg1-
mental hospital placed at the dis
posal of the officers, but it was thought
best TO take Cameron into Oakland.
The usual morning hour duties kept the
men busy until noon, but the work OF the
regimental officers showed that there
was something in the wind Immediately
after dinner the order was given TO
strike tents and the afternoon was devot-
ed to moving to the new site along High
street, across the California Railway.
The companies moved to-day, while
the regimental quarters and Kitchens
The guardhouse furnished sufficient
help to clean up the old grounds
and burn the rubbish, after which the
prisoners worked until supper time rak-
Ing up all the rubbish in the new quar-
ters go
The new camp is not laid out in mill
tary fashion owing to the shape OF the
site occupied. Regimental quarters are
the same, but the company streets run
diagonally to the regiment street, the Of
ficers' tents being along High street
The kitchens, instead OF pelng at the lo "1I
of the company tents, will have to all
be along the south side OF the camp ol-
agonal to the company streets. Inc Ar
my Christian Commission, Catholic truth
!
will be at the foot of the company streets
The officers are located east of their com
panies and will get all the dust blown
into their quarters.
service to-day. Assistant Surgeon Lieu
tenant w. f. Dudley, who was recently
promoted to regime9ntal s surgeon e Ms Ms
Gettigan was mustered IN as the JUNIOR
assistant to fill the vacancy. The latter
ranks as a lieutenant Chaplain Oliver Z;
! mustered in a captain ana
hereafter the regiment will have splr-
itual leader. Chaplain Miller is an edito5
the Pentecost for some time past. he
| secured leave of absence until SATURDAY
to allow him time to close up his affairs
with his church and his publication.
! Major and Surgeon w. F. Dudley Is IN
receipt of a very handsome sword and
belt with gold and silver mountings, the
San Francisco. Dr.. Dudley is a graduate
| of the old McClures Military Academy,
and has been connected with the Ma
served served in the Fifth, Sixth and First reg
! iments, organized the signal corps or the
! Third Brigade and served as an aide-camp
on the staff of Brigadier General Miller
| The past three years and q half he has
| been resident physician of the San Fran
cisco City and County Hospital 1t was
in the latter capacity that he came in
contact with the donors of the sword He
appreciates the gift very highly
Lieutenant McGettigan. the new assist
| ant SUI cOH, 10 6iduudlC VI ~.
College, Oakland. and the medical de-
partment of the University of California.
He served two and a half years in ST
Marys Hospital, San Francisco, and for
some time has been the resident physi-
clan at the Sisters Hospital in Sacra-
mento.
| present the regiment with a stand of col
| ors tomorrow "wednesday afternoon at
4:S0. The presentation address will be made
by Hon. R. NJ. Fitzgerald, while j. H.
| Macdonald and p. e. Bowles will deliver
the colors. Colonel Park Henshaw will
respond to the presentation with few
| the men for the gift. A special car will
| be run out from Thirteenth and Franklin
| streets for the accommodation of the sub
scribers to the fund for the purchase of
the colors. The ceremony attending a flag
| presentation is very pretty and there is
sure to be very large attendance of Wis
| Captain George B. Baldwin Company
| NJ, San Jose, appeared in camp to-day
with one of the new brown canvas ser
| vice uniforms. The change was startling
and emphasized his size to perfection. AS
| a consequence there was constant
1 stream of Where did you get that uni
form?" The question came from brother
officers, non-coms and privates, while
| the ordinary civilian stood in awe ana
asked 1t under his breath of his next door
| neighbor. The result was more than hui
! man nature could endure and before night
| CAPTAIN Baldwin was in anything but an
| amiable state of mind. AS he took his
| company out to dress parade young fel-
| low living in the grass after full survey
Of the big captain from front and rear re-
| marked: Where did you get that uni
] form?
This was the straw which broke the
| camel's back. Quick as a flash the cap
| tain. now thoroughly angered, turned on
| the uuestioner and began kicking him
! Get out of here, you hobo he shouted.
.,Get out of here, I say. We don't want
any tramps on these grounds"
The guard detail tonight consisted of
| Captain William S. Barnes, Company c.