The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-04

Affairs in Camp Not Managed Right,
They Think.

They Think.
Several high regimental officials at Camp
Mount are openly expressing their discon.
tent over the manner in which the affairs of
tho brigade are conducted. They allege
that gross incompetency in the management
exists in several departments but in their
general denunciation General Mckee is not
included specifically. One colonel yester-
day, in conversation with a reporter with
reference to the large number of men that
are leaving the camp for their homes, made
this significant remark, We'll If they don't
do something pretty soon there won't be
any men left here to go to the front"
In his complaint he alleged that the vacil-
lating policy adopted by the higher author
tiles was %repugnant to officers and men
alike It was, he said, almost impossible to
get a direct statement on any point. There
were plenty Of the authorities who when
questioned on any point would reply. IT
air SOL or 81 think not" but no one
seemed to wish to assume the responsibility
of making an emphatic statement either one
way or the other. The feeling of uncertain
ty ~pervading headquarters is having it's
effect in all quarters Of the camp and no
one can prophesy where it will stop. The
one remedy that this officer suggests is to be
lOulQ III u QUICK uluSI6T Oh IuG Troops Dy
Lieutenant May at once. Many of the men
have left for their homes, he said, not be-
cause they are towards. but because they
feel that their service here will be in vain.
This colonel administered a severe rebuke
to the members of one of his companies who
yesterday lined up as the deserters left the
camp and jeered the departing boys in blue
as they went on their way. He character
izad thar action a O o1,f ~ n aud ,,o~o;I;
tary. and will allow no such thing to occur
in the future.
PASSES IGNORED.
Another source of trouble in camp was
brought TO light yesterday by the com
plant of a colonel who has been in the
nabit of issuing passes to members of his
own regiment who might desire to leave the
grounds, for any purpose, on a visit to the
city. 1t has been reported to him on sew
eral occasions that his passes were ignored
by both the s~entries and the officials, and
that his men were many times placed under
guard as though absent without leave. He
stated that What was needed in this respect
was a thoughtful definition from headquar-
tiers as to what rights a regimental COM
mander had IL the premises where his W
men alone are concerned. He failed to see,
If it was the intention to take such matters
out Of the hands OF the colonel, what neces-
sity there was for maintaining a regimenta.
headquarters. All the regimental leaders
are on the anxious seat with regard to- the
possible outcome OF the constant assertions
and everyone hopes as a method of check
ing 1t that the action of the federal mus
tering authorities Will be prompt ana OF
short duration. The most important effect
1t would have. they point out, Is that it
would stop the rapid assertions which are
draining aiarmingly the numerical strength
OF the brigade. The reports which were
made several days ago by the colonies OF the
dIuerent regiments as TO the number or men
for the men continue to leave; their resolu-
tons first weakly formed TO retire from the
service being strengthened by those who
this is stopped Immediately, the officers say.
Il will be necessary 10 make another cali for
volunteers. Though II Is conceded that such