New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-12
CAMP LIFE AT CAVITE.
OREGON OFFICERS DISCIPLINED-FRAG
MENTS OF HUMAN SKELETONS
FOUND IN A CAVE.
my TELEGRAPH TO TIE tribune


lnY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDuSEl
Manila Bay July II. via Victoria, B. c., Aug.
1O.-Geperal Anderson's brigade has been hon
ored with the selection as the first American
troops to invade the Philippines and has set
tied down to the routine Of camp life at Cavite
Arsenal and Fort st. Philip 1t has been hard
work 10 house feed and discipline twenty-five
hundred men, the majority Of whom are I'M
trained in the serious phases of war. and the
work has not been accomplished without fric-
ton. There has been several rather serious
clashes. but they have been passed with repri-
mands from headquarters. and the moral effect
has been as beneficial as II greater punishment
had been inflicted.
The Oregon Volunteers have been the great
est transgressors. and their actions have caused
the greatest criticism. In the original assign
ments Of quarters the staff of the I'd Oregon
was directed to take possession Of some small
buildings outside the gate OF the arsenal and
in front OF group Of buildings to which the
men Of the regiment were apportoned. The
Board Of Officers Of the regiment declared the
quarters were not in a sanitary condition
Colonel Summers approved the report. and the
staff proceeded at once 10 occupy dryer. more
comfortable quarters inside Fort st. Philip. All
this was done without reference to brigade
Headquarters and when the news OF 1t arrived
there considerable surprise and some ind!gna-
ton at the failure Of the oregon officers to obey
orders was expressed The Oregonians had
erred thoughtessly, and when warned that
there might be trouble they moved back to
their old quarters. General explanations fol-
lowed. The plan to have an official inquiry was
abandoned. and later better quarters were given
to the Oregon officers at Fort st. Philip. The In
cdent still under discussion when four Ore
gon oficers-Captains II. L. Heath A. F. Pres
colt and H. l.. Wells and Lieutenant G. g.
Tefer-received permission to enter the rebel
lines, and overstayed their time. They man.
aged 20 go far as Pasig River. at point
perhaps ten miles to the rear Of Manila. and
very likely they were saved from further hu-
initiation than two days confinement In their
quarters by the fact that they gained much
valuable information.
The party left Cavite Sunday. July 10, under
the guidance of Colonel Arvilo of General
Agunaldo's staff. Their failure TO return that
night was not generally remarked. but when
Company NJ. Of the I'd oregon Regiment, turned
out the following morning without single
commissioned officer their absence was gener-
ally noted. Monday night it was concluded that
they had fallen into the hands OF the Spanish
and been shot or captured They finally ap-
peared Tuesday morning. When asked for an
explanation for their prolonged absence. they de-
clared they had been deceived as 10 distances.
and when they started to return Monday night
they were driven back to Paronaque by gale
They were ordered to their quarters by Colonel
Summers, and kept there until the following
day The fact that they brought back valuable
Information no doubt was deemed an extenua-
ing circumstance by General Anderson who
was inclined in expressing himself to make
light OF the whole affair
HUMAN BONES FOUND IN A CAVE.
An immense cavern. the Of which Is prob
lematcal. has been discovered in the north wall
Of old Fort st. Philip. 1t is an L-shaped cham
Der, with a depth OF 10 feet, height 10 feet.
and the greatest width 10 feet. On the damp
ground were found fragments Of human bones.
and the explorers were forced to the horrible
conclusion that some unfortunate prisoners had
been walled UP and left to die.
None OF the Spanish prisoners. nor any of the
insurgents, had ever heard Of the place Those
who were permitted to enter examined 1t with
unfeigned curiosity.
FORT ST. PHILIP DESCRIBED.
Fort St Philip covers several acres OF ground
and was built by the designers to defy time ana
elements. Its outer walls are between "i'Ve"
and twenty feet thick. and the structures WITH
In the enclosure all solidly built. There Is
pretty garden in the Interior court winch re-
lieves the severity Of the mountain OF stone
II Is Admiral Dewey's favorite spot in Cavite
and he has asked the military authorities 10
preserve the garden. with its pretty walks llned
by rows of huge cannon balls. ana 10 make no
radical changes in the buildings
Aguinaldo has given up the palace OF the
Governor OF Cavite and removed to Baker
The reason for his removal Is not known. lie
has heen DESTROYS for several weeks OF paying
a visit TO the isthmus. where he has made en-
thusiastic and influential supporters IL is
also asserted that he was anxious to get away
from the close watch which he knew the Amer
leans were keeping on him. He went away on
the 10th inst. surrounded by trusted guard
and attended by his staff. He paid visit TO
linus. and had a lengthy conference with the