The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-08-04
AE'L0AT ON THE BRINY
south Dakota Soldiers at Last start
for the Philippines.

Tomorrow reyeille sounds at 5 a. m,
the general at 6:15, and then tents
come down, and at : the Second and
Third battalionS, headed by the band,
march to the Pacific Mail dock aud
embark on their long ocean voyage.
Early this morning the work of pack
ing up and loading heavy luggage was
begun, and all the surplus property
was sent away as soon as possible.
Things are now in such shape ti4at
there need be no delay in getting the
property all on board and in being III
readiness to sail Saturday.
Everyone seems TO be happy. Even
the dignited have unloosened and in
dulged in horSe-play and general hilar-
| ity
Quartermaster Murray has been busy
issuing clothing 10 the new recruits
to-day.
All the shoddy uniforms were turned
in this morning, and others of much
better quality will be issued in the
Philippines
Those who have seen the Rio Janeiro
| and Others who have sailed on her are
loud in her praises, and predict fine
| trip.
Ice is made on the ship every day.
and will be on acceptable item in the
| tropics.
The quarters of the men are said 10
| be very comfortable indeed. Good beds
are provided. AMI their sleeping quar-
| terS are well and scientifically venti-
| lated.
The Red Cross society will furnish
dinner to all who go on board tO-mor-
| row.
An unusual event took place in camp
| to-day, and unique. also. in the history
| Of the regiment when Elmer &. Oil
| plant of Company NJ, and Miss Lizzie
| Gardner Of San Francisco, We're united
! in marriage. The ceremony was per-
| formed by Chaplain Daley, and the adj
| jutant'S tent was used for the occasion.
| A number of Private ELEPHANTS
| friends were present to offer their con-
CALCULATIONS and best wishes. Oliphant
| enlisted from Rapid city, and is well
thought of in his company. Miss Gard,
ner is native of Frisco, and met her
husband here after he came TO this
camp with his regiment. And thus do
| the gods of love and war sometimes
play together.
| NtIScdub VI
Company Ii has been made first ser
geant, and Corporal Mahoney SER
geant.
On Board Transport Rio Janeiro,
July 23.-Out of the sand and on board
| ship at last.
The Second and Third battalions
struck their tents this morning prompt
| " at G:15, and within half an hour
were ready to march. At O'Clock the
| hattalions were formed and the long
march to the dock began. The column
! was headed by Brig. Gen. Otis and
Col. Frost. followed by the band, and
then the companies in order. The boys
were heartily cheered as they went
through the city, and found large
crowd awaiting them at the dock.
The men were supplied by the Red
Cross society with bOuntiful lunch
soon after they reached the dock, and
very soon began to get on board.
At about 80 the work of loading
| was nearly complete, and the usual
scenes incident to Il departure OF troops
took place.
Wives, SweptheartS. sisters ana
friends were there 10 say last good
bye, The men cheered and looked
happy. bur many felt a lump rise in
their Threats. Tears were shed,
| handkerchiefs waved, the band played,
cheer after cheer went up from the
men. who had scrambled all over the
shin. and after the assembly was
blown the gongs began to beat their
warning. the ships whistle made ev-
With
and, as the last gangway FELL we be-
gan to move, and realized that AT iaSI
we were off and away.
The Rio pulled out into the bay, ana
has stopped until she leaves III the
morning.
Several officers still on land will be
brought out this evening in a tug BOAT.
Mail was brought on this AFTERNOON
and several officers went ashore for
the evening.
The officers quarters are very pleas
ant. though the second lieutenants are
slowed away three TO one stateroom.
The non cOmmissioned staff have quar-
ters similar to those Of the second lieu
tenants.
Each man has a spring bed and a
mattress. and each one provides his
own blankets. The quarters Tor the
men on this boat are said to be superb
or to those Of any other transport that
has left thus far.
A guard Of twenty men. in charge or
Iieut. Huntington. was sent TO the
dock early in the morning. and immedi-
ately took charge of the entrance to 1t.
Strict orders had been given toNallow
no one to enter except employees ON the
dock; a few Red Cross ladies', and that
no others should enter without authori-
ty from Gen. Otis or Col Frost.
Relatives and friends OF the men
soon began to mistakenly demand ad-
oooh ono hoing sure that she