The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-04
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

for treating soldiers, after IL had asked
to take them and treat them gratis
from supposed patriotic motives, is
meeting with good deal OF cundemna-
ton in camp; and the men of the Thir-
teenth are not behind the others in ex-
pressing the indignation which they
feel on account of it. In this respect
the men are a unit The division hos
pitfalls are so filled that an extra corps
of hospital nurses had to be raised
during the past week by compulsory
process; and, besides this, they recog-
nize the fact that many of their COM
rades who, If they had been kept in
camp for treatment, would in all pro-
liability have died, now owe their lives
to the fact that they had been re-
moved in time to some of the first
class hospitals CT the several cities in
the state.
All dread the field hospitals, and your
correspondent has on many occasions
seen men who fingered and fought
with desperation for days against the
inevitable ravages Of disease in order
to thereby avoid going to those insti-
tGtions.
PUTTING UP KITCHENS.
tion of f, has had a regular kitchen.
The old National Guard mess flies were
the only protection offered to the per-
ishable eatables in case of rain or
storm, and in some cases these were
I incapable of preserving anything. They
either leaked or were so tattered that
the rain came through them unresist-
ed, when they were not f1attened to
hxr he Erut Of ind
This defect is TO be remcdied. Lumber
has been furnished, and it is expected
that the carpenters of the regiment
will be at work tomorrow erecting
wooden shanties which will be large
enough to accommodate the stoves and
all cooking utensils, and. at the same
time, will safely hold all food supplies.
This change will appeal to the cooks
who had to perform some wonderful,
almost miraculous, feats on rainy days
to keep the fires alive and prepare the
meals. 1t will also prevent some of
the rations from being destroyed.
The band gave its usual concert last
evening between half-past seven and
half past eight o'clock, and of all those
present the most surprised were the
members of the Second battalion who
nearly a month. They were aston
ished at the improvement which had
taken place under Sergeant Miles
leadership, and We're loud in their
praises of the Thirteenth's splendid
musicians.
Owing to recent changes in the per-
sonal of the nom n-commssioned officers
of Company II, several promotions to
nf Ia
yesterday by Captain Corwin, and an
nounced at roll call last night. Those
who were raised from privates to cor
porals are: William Wright, Patrick
Whalen. Conrad Watson, and Holly j.
Clancy. Private Martin Goodwin was
named as wagner.
CHANGES IN CAMP.
One seeing the camps of the Eighth
and of the Thirteenth yesterday would
hardly recognize them today. Friday
evening the battalion of the Eighth,
which had been doing provost duty at
Middletown, pitched it's tents on the
old ground in the shadow of brigade
headquarters, and early this morning
the army wagons. bearing the heavy
equippage of the Second battalion of
the Thirteenth, began to arrive in
charge of details of men. Soon after
wards the four companies were here
and mutual greetings full of good will
and warmth were exchanged. Some of
tho men, who were very good friends,
and accustomed formerly to see and
10 converse with one another daily,
had not met in three weeks. They all
fell as if they had been lost and found.
The members of the Second battalion
were desirious OF remaining at the
comnissary on account of the pass
privileges which We're granted to them,
but 1t was quite different with those
of the First battalion, who had to be
on guard twice, and, in many in
stances, three times a week, and twice
or heuvy detail work.
There was a mighty howl in the
Third brigade Friday on account of a
shortage of rations. Sugar, onions,
potatoes and bread were conspicuous
chiefly by their absence. In the morn
Ing the ridiculously small amount of
four loaves of bread was distributed
10 each company of the Thirteenth.
Tie Fifteenth Minnesota and the
Eighth Pennsylvania also ran behind.
When Colonel Coursnn found out the
condition of affairs in the Thirteenth
he very promptly and properly gave
the matter his attention, and insisted
that bis men be given the rat!ons due
then, and that, too, without delay.
GENERAL WAS INDIGNANT.
When Brigadier General Goblin was
made acquainted with the facts he was
indignant and wanted it understood
that, for the future, the men in his
command are to be fed at any cost
and under all circumstances; if not he
would know the why and the wherefore
of the neglect. This action of Gener-
al Goblin and of Colonel Coursen had
its effect. and a liberal supply of bread
was issued in time for supper last
night. Today there is no complaint
and all the men are satisfied that the
storm Of yesterday will help to clear
the atmosphere materially.
The regiment canteen, including the
officers mess, is a thing OF the past
and the proprietor, Mr.. Hood, of Wash
ington, returned home today Fol
some time past that institution had
not given the best OF satisfaction and
frequent complaints were heard on the
part of the officers. In fact. 1t was
several times suggested and not with.
out a show of reason, that the heavy
rate of sickness among the staff an6
the line officers was, in no small meas.
ure. due to the manner in which the
mess and the canteen were run. II
was never noticeable for it's cleanliness
and there is strong suspicion abroad
that to 1t are to be charged the many
cases of sickness now existing among
the officers.
An expert caterer from HARRISBURG