The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-07

to swim in the river.
The food question has thus far dis
tinctly failed to adjust itself, or to give
satisfaction. Canned corn beef has
been too general in its use, and most
of the men have become entirely dis
gusted with 1t. II is unpalatable, even
to a soldier of the Second Army corps
and that Is saying much. The issues
of potatoes have been few. and the
bread is little less than abominable.
On this score the Thirteenth has had
to stand its share of the disadvantages.
The bread with which it has been furn-
ished during the past few days, to put
the matter plainly, is heavy, half
baked and sour. If you put a piece
of 1t in the hot coffee and give it a
minute to ferment. II becomes bitter
and disgusting to the taste.
NOT FIT TO EAT.
Colonel Coursen saw and tasted some
of 1t this morning and pronounced 1t
unfit to eat" When ii is considered
that we are in the midst of an un-
usually fertile country, rich in every
thing, almost within sight of the state
capital, and that our coming here was
for, it will not be so hard to under
stand why the men look with very
little tolerance upon this condition of
affairs.
The inadequacy Of the water supply
also gives rise to much irritation. 1t
is tantalizing-for, though there is
supposed to be water in every direction
the men are thirsting with the
temperature at 40 degrees or 115 de-
grees on these exposed, treeless slopes.
The men had no water with which to
wash their cups and plates after break
fast, or even a drop to drink after
drills. Nothing could be heard but
yells of Water! water!" but it was
after 10 o'clock before any could be
had in camp, and all because there
were no water barrels or wagons to be
obtained Verify, a second edition of
Camp Thomas, Camp Alger and Camp
Wikoff all rolled upon into one is this
Camp Meade!
When it was announced last night
that there would be no more bathing
in the Sweet Arrow creek on account
of certain alleged abuses of the priv
ilege, the men were indignant that any
one should have been guilty of any act
which could result in the loss to all of
such an advantage and such a bless
ing as daily swim. This statement
of the case was given out last night,
too late to be investigated as to it's
truth; but on inquiry today, your cor
respondent ascertained that the reason
why bathing in the creek is prohibit
ed is because the people Of Middletown
get all their water from that source.
All this has given rise to bitter dis
The greatest blessing
which the men of the Pennsylvania
regiments have enjoyed since they left
the banks of Lake Conewago, at Mount
Gretna, on the 10th of last May was
the privilege of bathing in the Sweet
Arrow.
IS AT MIDDLETOWN.
The Second battalion of the Thir-
teenth, under command of Major
Wood, broke camp here Monday morn
in and left at 10 o'clock for corps
at Middletown, to which
place they were ordered yesterday eve
ming to report. They are to be away
ostensibly for twenty days, but, per-
haps, may not again return to this
place. They may be gone forty days,
or till the whole corps moves out of
here. Their duties will consist of load
ing and unloading the cars which are
switched on the siding, guarding the
stores, and doing general
provost duty. They brought their
tents and equipage, and now the reg
iment looks rather badly shattered.
Those who are here are already feel
ing half-lost. and would wish that the
other battalion were back in camp
once more. 1t is not positively known
these wishes are reciprocal
ed by the members of Major Woods
because, when leaving here,
they were given to understand that
when their work is done, they will be
free and be given every opportunity
to enjoy themselves, provided they
abuse no privileges.
The members of Company b are dis
pleased at the neglect of their former
second lieutenant in the National
guard. They had ordered a floral de-
sign for Private Tubbs, of Taylor, de-
and had it sent as the tribute
Of Company b, Thirteenth regiment,
T. V. 1.-The initials for "Pennsyl-
vania Volunteer infantry" They were
informed that the letters "P. V. l."
were omitted. They want it under
stood that the remembrance was from
them, not from old Company b, now
N the National guard.
THE Y. NJ. C. A. TENT.
The Pennsylvania Young Mems
Christian association" tent has been |
opened once more. 1t is something |
which the boys appreciate very much. |
It is cool and orderly. has constant |
supply of ice water, magazines and pa
Ders, pens, ink, writing paper and |
stamps. 1t is also we'll equipped with |
complete line of parlor games, which |
amusement to the boys after |
he work of the day is over. This time |
he tent is pitched so as to favor the |
Thirteenth, being quite close to the |
'ommissary. 1t is seldom, if ever,
without visitors.
Captain Robling, of c, was officer |
II the day yesterday; Lieutenant |
Keith, of A, officer of the guard; Clar-
'nce Lathrop, of c, sergeant of the |
guard; August Moore, of A, John |
<rebs, of d, and Edward V. Jones, of |
3, corporals; Private Edward Rich
lrds, of G, is regimental orderly.
Monday night at 5 o'clock Lieuten-
mt Dodge, of Company f. was re- |
10 Il,