The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-01

Hurrying the Fitting Out OF Trans.
ports for Manila.

ports for Manila.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 31.-The next ex-
petition to the Philippines will probably in
clude large number of regulars. 1t is
stated that. General Merritt will carry out
his ideas in this regard by selecting all the
regular forces of this department for the
advance guard for the expedition. The
Third Artillery, consisting of eight batteries
one at San Diego and the other seven at
Fort Point, this city, expect to receive or
ders to prepare for active service in the
Philippines. 1t is expected that the Sixth
Artillery, now stationed at Fort McHenry,
Md, will be brought here for ceast-defense
purposes, while the Fifteenth United States
Infantry, now stationed in Arizona, will be
brought here for the Philippine expedition
and their places in Arizona filled by COM
pany of California volunteers. General Otis
who has taken up his quarters at Camp
Merritt, will insist upon the observation OF
military discipline in the camp. The public
will be only allowed to visit the camp be-
tween certain specified hours.
The next expedition to the Philippines will
include sixty engineers. under Captain
L.ongftt's command. This corps will mine
the harbor at Manila. A large amount OF
cable and 4SO submarine mines will be
SAiPPCN, III SIdl SC VI OdPLd1u 4OllShlt' 1C4A-
eral Merritt is having the work of preparing
the next fleet of transports rushed. 1t is be-
lieved that the Zelandia will be ready to
receive troops by the end of the present
week. She is receiving her coal and the
hunks for 1000 men are nearly finished.
Bunks for 1900 men are being fitted on the
steamer China and she will be ready by the
middle of next week The work of prepar-
ing the Colon is progressing rapidly. and she
will be ready for sea within a week. Both
the China and Colon will be placed under
the American flag.
General Dickinson, in command of the Ma
tional Guard of California. began to-day to
reorganize the First. Sixth and Seventh
regiments to take the place of those who
have gone into the volunteer service.
BY order of Major General Merritt, Camp
Merritt was brigaded to-day as follows:
First Brgade--Fourteenth United States
Infantry, Eighteenth United States Infan-
try, Twenty-third United States Infantry,
Fourth United States Cavalry Ito john, one
company United States engineers.
Second Brigade - Thirteenth Regiment
Minnesota Infantry, United States Volun-
teers: Twentieth Regiment Kansas Infan-
try, United States volunteers; First Regi-
ment Idaho Infantry 1.-TWO battalions),
North Dakota Infantry (two battalions)
United States volunteers.
Third Brigade-Tenth Regiment Pennsyl-
vania Infantry United States volunteers:
First Regiment Colorado Infantry. United
States volunteers; First Regiment Nebraska
Troop Utah Cavalry, United States volun-
teers; Batteries A and B, Utah Light Artil-
lery, United States volunteers.
Fourth Brigade-Seventh Regiment Cali
fornia Infantry United States volunteers;
First Regiment Montana Infantry, United
States volunteers; First Regiment South
lot Inf y,fr Int Gfofn xrOIt1 mt b..
First Battalion Wyoming Infantry, United
States volunteers.
The cruiser Philadelphia will be in readi-
ness to go into commission within two weeks.
Her gun mounts have been strengthened
and many changes made in her inner fit
tings. During the present week her mests
will be replaced and her guns mounted. Her
stores will be ready to put on board as soon
as the mechanics complete their work