Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-23
READY TO LEAVE
Boys at Whipple Barracks Happy
Over Prospect of Changing
Camp and Scenes.
CATRON A POPULAR OFFICER
Those Not Able to Travel Will Remain IN
til Health is Recovered Rumored That
Lieutenant Catron Will Be Trans
ferred to Regular Army.

Whlpple Barracks, Sept. 21.-Prepara-
lions for the trip east are progressing
rapidly. Each volunteer has written
his various sweethearts and folded his
blankets and all is in readiness for de-
parture. The quartermaster scrgeants
are busy rustling hardtack, beans and
other ordnance stores, and by tomorrow
night will be in shape to shell the enemy
or kill off the regiment.
To say that the boys are happy, is ex-
pressing it mildly. Everybody and some
others have songs on their faces and
smiles in their voices. A few will be left
behind.
Sergeant Ormerod and Privates Helm
and IIudual. of Company Il, who have
been confined to the hospital for the
past week. may not be able to convince
the doctors that they are well enough to
travel. Privates Spaulding and Warren,
who have discharges looming up" will
remain and help care for the sick.
The post neal Lexington is said TO be
a beautiful country spot, five miles from
town. having excellent sanitary ad-
vantages and pure water. The govern
ment owns 1,S00 acres of land there.
| Those who have considered themselves
dogs of war;" are now at liberty to
change the old calamity howl, 1.-The
country is going to the dogs" to ''the
dogs are going to the country"
Corporal Tony Kyle, the Texas
(bunco) Steer" who promised everyone
a gay time in Texas if the regiment
travelled via the Southern Pacific, hopes
the people of New Mexico will do the
right thing by the boys. He don't care
for cake, but would like another pair of
sc strings The old pair was sent to
his best girl. He thought they were
some kind of chair tides or fancy work.
The girl has ceased corresponding with
him, and Tony thinks the New Mexico
ladies purposely put up a job on him.
His old girl didn't need any protection
other than that furnished by the Repub-
lican party, but, of course, he didn't
know it. He expects to marry a girl
from Boston now, and wants something
to put in the small of his back, as a pro-
lection of cold feet.
The regiment has secured the services
of a young bear for a mascot. The new
acquisition is cared for by Captain Falls
company. 1t is hoped that he will bring
better luck and grow to sufficient pro.
portions to do the fighting for the regi-
mcnt.
Rumor has it that Lieutenant Catron
may be soon transferred to the regular
army. Company G is unanimous in the
desire to have him remain in the vOlun'
teer service with his W people. The
regiment has no moro popular officer
than Catron.
Is is the general belief now that the
regiment will not be mustered out and
that it is slated for two years garrison
duty. ~Singularly enough, the regiment
was not mustered in with the oath ''fol
I two years, or until the war ends" as
was the case with a majority of volun'
teer regiments. but ''for two years, un'
less sooner discharged by proper author
ity"-the regulation regular army oath
with the exception of a reduction In
time. The president evidently desires
to have the boys remain in the service
and they will probably remain whether
they want to or not. However, they arr
entitled TO much more credit by reason
Of their retention in service. The sol
der in battle and active campaigning
has sufficient excitement to keep his
spirits up, and those who are denied the
privilege of service at the front show ar
equal amount of fortitude in brayely
bearing the hardships incident to neg
lect aud inactivity. No doubt the terri
torial regiment has embryo Hobsons ant
Skaters ito throw at the birds,
but they lack opportunity. After all, it!
the opportunities, and not the clothes
that make the man. No doubt the regi
ment has lots of fighters. They never
lose al opportunity to fight now, ant
, heaven pity the foe if they are giver
permission to fight.
At any rate, there is one satisfaction
t in serving in time of peace: The boy
will have a greater right two year
hence to tell show We licked Spain,
than those who remained at home ant
licked nothing but val revenue stamps
Today Captain Strover officlated a
major of the New Mexico battalion. FL
makes al excellent major and should b.
retail ned in the position permanently.
This communication Is neceSsaril,
short, because no one seems to have ,
grievance now. j. +. MANNING.