, 1898-08-31
TORREY'S TROOPERS
INTERESTING LETTER FROM
CHAPLAIN GOLDEN TO
JUDGE HAYFORD.
He Thinks Colonel Torrey Is a Re-
markable Man and Would Follow
Him to the Ends OF the Earth and
Back Again-Tells About b
Florida Flies.

Golden, chaplain of the Torrey regi-
ment:
Mr.. Dear Friend: l have been rather
waiting until something exciting or at
least something out Of the ordinary
should occur to write about. Will not
wait any longer. although l am con-
fronted by a dearth of news. One day
is as like another as possible, except
that it rains more some days than 9th
ers. Reveille, breakfast, sick-call, drill,
followed in the afternoon by letter.
writing. luafing, stables, guard mount
and some other duties make up the life
of most Of the boys. Rife practice is
to be introduced this week and probably
revolver practice on horseback will fol-
low that. Arrangements are being
made also for long practice marches,
probably to St. Augustine and back.
The camp will be moved permanently
as soon as a place a be found suitable
for regimental drill. The O is likely
to locate us nearer Jacksonville. The
change is to be made chiefly for sani-
tary reasons. the order of the chief
surgeon being that there should be
frequent changes OF camps. I also sus-
pect the move there is to relieve the
monotony Of camp life, as the more
likely the boys are to remain reasonably
cnntented. We have quite a large sick
list every day. but there have been
very few serious cases. Acclimation
fevers and dysentery are the chief o
bles. The doctors don't seem to be able
to treat either OF these complaints with
any great success in this climate,
though whether the hot weather or
inconsistencies is most to blame |
couldn't say. A great many Of the men
are very anxious to get home. A petit
ton has been started around. signed
largely by several troops and almost
unanimously, l think, by two troops,
asking for a discharge. They state
that they were willing and anxious to
fight and die for their country, but that
they are averse to doing garrison duty;
that they enlisted for the former pur-
pose and not for the latter. / can't say
I blame the boys for wanting to get
home. now that the fighting is probably
over. At the same time something is
t be said on the other side. The men
enlisted for two years and a soldier is
not usually consulted as to what par
ticular thing each would like to do. I
suppose, too, that the government still
considers an army necessary for the
establishment of order and good gov
eminent in foreign parts. This work
is just as important as fighting,
though, perhaps, there isn't so much
glory in it. Our regiment, however, is
apparently no more anxious to get
home than the rest Of them. Among
all the regiments in the corps the con-
slant discussion seems to be how soon
they are to be mustered out. In my
near restoring order and contentment
as the colonel of amy regiment. He is
/ most remarkable man and has an eX-
traordinary influence with the men. l
Ilon't usually go in much for eulogy, but
after knowing him for some time I
really don't think l ever saw a man
who combines tact with tremendous
force of character to the same extent.
For my own part l would follow Col
onel Torrey to the ends Of the earth
and back again. Personally I would
rather like to follow him to Cuba. Am
lot particularly in love with a hot eli
mate, but we have had no hardships at
all, and my health is as good as any
ones needs to be. We are not likely
to see any hardships and I would like
to see the thing through to the end Of
the chapter. The only grievance /
have is the flies. They are innumer-
able. They r moreover the most
tenacious, Industrious and ferocious
flies l ever encountered. There is no
sleeping after they begin their days
work. Every meal is a struggle for ex-
istence. 1t used to annoy me to eat
where a few flies were buzzing about.
All I ask of them now is an even start.
Otherwise it is a hopeless task. I have
forgotten which of the Egyptian
plaques consisted of flies, but am not
much surprised that they hardened
Pharaoh's heart.
August 27.-Was interrupted yes
terday at this point and will finish this
morning. Last night I had a letter
from Mr.. Erickson asking me II I would
return and II SO. when. 1t is very
hard to say definitely. There is no
telling yet what will be done with us.
The Seventh army corps is mdoubted-
ly intended for the army OF occupation
in Cuba and w are part Of the corps.
General Lee says he expects to 60 to
Cuba ami that he wants the second
cavalry with him. I had the pleasure
Of meeting him a few days ago through
the kindness Of Colonel Torrey who
gave the officers Of the regiment an
outing on the river. General Lee and
his staff. General Keifer. six OF seven
brigadier generals and several promi-
nent jacksonville citizens were also
present. We had a pleasant sail and a
very pleasant time. Must close now,
as I have a lot OF callers and can't write
where so many are talking to me. VIII
write again II we are ordered out or IL