The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-12

| Gresham stated that necessary clothing,
camp and garrison equipage had already
| been asked for, and that the requisition
| was in the hands OF the Quartermaster
| General of the United States.
IF these acquisitions are honored, =
| Capt. Gresham adds, 1.-The matter of
| clothing. camp and garrison equipage is
| already settled. But the question of
| ordinance is still pressing one. My
telegram of the 9TH instant informs you
| that an ordnance officer for the First
| regiment had been appointed. and that
he had forwarded to the chief of ord
nance Il request for necessary blanks.
These blanks have not been received.
ITO equip the First regiment. the fol-
| lowing is required: Five hundred and
| fifty-seven rifles. with bayonets and
scabbards; 100000 ball cartridges: 800
| neat cans: TO knives: SO6 forks: S14
spoons; 603 KNAPP sacks: GSS havre-
sacks; $50 cartridge belts; 745 canteens,
with straps, foot and usual spare parts
for repairs, with screw drivers
1t is probable and indeed almost GER
tain that this requisition will be honored
immediately ON the receipt of this tele-
gram, and the supplies viii be started on
tllelt way mere to-day.
Another matter that is receiving much
attention now is what disposition will
be made of the deserters from the Colds
boro company if they are caught.
The army rules and regulations. touch
ing the matter of desertions provide that
ANY officer or soldier who, having been
duly elistcd in the service of the United
States, deserts the same, shall, i'll time
of war, suffer death, or such other pun
shment as Il court martial may direct.
For Il soldier persuading or inducing
in any way. another soldier to desert, the
penalty is equally severe.
ANY officer or soldier who advises or
persuades any other officer or soldier to
desert the service of the United States,
shall, in time of war, suffer death or
such other punishment as Il court martial
may direct"
AS to the method of trial of such of
tenders, the army regulations prescribe
that I'm time of war the commander of
division or separate brigade of troops
shall be competent to appoint Il general
court martial and judge advocate for
the same"
Now the troops here are not a brigade
or division, but simply two regiments.
and it is not clear just how the court
martial is TO be appointed.
A general court martial may consist
of any number of officers. from five TO
thirteen If less than thirteen some good
reason for the smaller number must be
assigned.
\ popularity of the law of courts mar
tial is that in volunteer body like this
here. Il regular United States army Off
Ger is not competent to sit on court
martial to try the officers of the volun-
teer force. but the officers Of the volun-
teer force may try the regular army Off
GER
Neither one Of the Goldsboro deserters
had been caught late yesterday after
noon, but il was stated that the authori-
Ties knew where they We're and would
probably arrest them to-day
1T is not probable. il they are caught,
that the death penalty will be inflicted
on them. Instead they will be sent to
the penitentiary for term. No deserter
can Te-enlist.
The report that one of the deserters
had been caught and was chained in the
guard tent ut the camp is untrue. Capt.
Balm and First Sergeant Lewis are
now at Goldsboro hunting them.
In accordance with article so of the
Regulations for the Army Of the United
States. Maj. w. $. Smith is appointed
field officers court. with full authority
to investigate any and all charges-not
capital-against any soldier of the camp.
and to infict such punishment as he may
deem correct and just.
This appointment was made yesterday
by Colonel Armfeld.