The evening times., 1898-07-18
MARYLAND SOLDIERS.
The First Volunteer Regiment De.
sfrea Active Service

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sfres Active Service.
Fort Monroe. Va. July lS-Every man
in the camp of the First Maryland Regi-
ment here is eagerly discussing with his
fellows the probability of the regiment
being ordered 10 Porto Rico. and there
seems to be some foundation for the re-
port that such movement is being con.
templated.
A staff officer OF the First said today:
Yes. sir. there is every indication of the
First being ordered to Porto Rico. An
official of high rank ,oid me today thar
great influence is being brought to bear
at Washington looking TO that end. Again
We have been informed that in a very
short time the men will be furnished with
the brown canvas suits used in hot eli
mates and the officers are ordering their
light uniforms Some of them have them
already. l think it highly probable that
the regiment will be ordered to the front
in n short time. not. however, until 1t is
thoroughly equipped. The equipments
have been ordered and will be here short
ly.
The opinion of this officer is not shared
by all the officers of the regiment Some
of them say that even though the men
are thoroughly equipped. uniforms and
guns do not make soldiers. Many think
another month of drilling and camp life
will be necessary before the recruits will
be ready for active service.
Whatever the opinions of officers may
be. the men only hope that the report
will be confirmed by an official order from,
the War Department. They are not oaly
willing but anxious 10 go 10 the front.
and nothing would please them better
than an assignment to duty at Porto Rico.
The men have a horror of being kept at
Fort Monroe until the war is over.
The regimental drill and dress parade
scheduled for yesterday afternoon did
not come off. inspection and review be-
ing held in its stead. Capt. w ]. Mich
olson, of the Seventh Cavalry, mastering
officer of the First, acted as inspector
general, and. with Col Lane and Capt.
S. T. Hamilton. United States Army. re-
tired, now marshal of police at Baltimore,
reviewed the troops.
The first Battalion, Major Charles
Lowndes. came on the parade grounds,
formed in column of companies, was in
spected and dismissed.
Immediately thereafter the Third Bat
talon, Major J. 3. Phipps. appeared.
formed in column of platoons and passed
in review. The men marcned steadily and
presented a fine appearance.
From its camp. a mile up the beach. the
Second Battalion. Majo.- Little, came.
making the march in twenty-five min
utes. After a short rest, the battalion
formed in columns of companies and
stood inspection. After a short rest the
battalion formed in columns of compa-
nies and stood inspection. Capt Nicho,-
son, Col. Lane and Caps. Hamilton were
highly pleased with the showing made.
particularly by the Third Battalion.
which Is thoroughly equipped.
The order prohibiting enlisted men
from leaving the reservation without spe-
cial permission has been rescinded. As a
result a large number Of the boys took
in an excursion to jamestown. Many
brought back pieces of brick from the ru-
ms of the historic old church on the isl.
and. They will forward iae souvenirs to
friends at home. - ~ <<