The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-17

The two companies Of United States sol
diers who were TO have sailed from Taco
ma fer Skagway on the next trip Of the
steamer Queen. a concession granted by
the war department from its original plans
upon applica ton Of the Tacoma citizens
hlondihe committee" were Unexpectedly
set down IN Seattle about midnight Tues
day night. and are now quar,ered at the
First regiment armory, on Union street.
The two companies are \ and G. OF the
Fourteenth United States infantry. in com
mand Of Capt. +. F. Eastman. until the
new orders were issued stationed al Van
couver.
Companies \ ard G will be followed
shortly by Companies b and II. which will
also come directly to Seattle from the VAN
eouver barracks. in time TO sail for Dyea
on the new Alaska liner Australia. Capt.
Eastman stated 10 a Post-Tntellig encer re-
porter yesterday that the orders Tor him
TO proceed 70 skagway directed him no fur
ther than TO his destination, where he Will
take charge OF the station. The ether or
ders as TO his movements upon his arrival
at his destination are sealed and win not
he opened until after the sailing Of the
other commissioned officers of tile detail
are Lieut. Lassiegne OF Company y;
Lieut.. Conrad. of Company q. and Can't
Str2ub. assistant surgeon The detach-
ment already in Seattle consists Of lg5 men,
with their complete camp outfit and "a
lions for month. For a considerable
time yesterday there was some uncertainty
as to where the troops would be housed
and arrangements We're partially made for
their occupancy OF a large vacant room
over the Northern Pacific depot. adjoining
the Northwest hotel. Later in the day
Capt Robinson, assistant quartermaster,
ard h. @. Graves, president Of the Cham
Der OF Commerce, arranged with Gen. j.
II. Mcintyre and other officers OF the Ma
uonal Guard for the two companies TO use
the ArnoTy during their stay in Seattle
The tents, 'e1uipage and personal belong
l2Ss OF the men were consequently loaded
into heavy trucks and carted out TO the
temporary home Of the officers and sol
dters. There was an iHdcscribabie lot of
things. consisting of bundles Of canvas.
sacks. cases and blue boxes. looking more
Ike circus baggage than anything else
SET down in surroundings that were hardly
cool from the last violent social uphaaval
that made the rdfters tremble. In an at
mosphere that was pregnant with the evil
dencts OF polite accomplishments and tin
solNeFy the regulars made their prepara-
tons 10 spend their time until he sailing
OF the queen. 1t is an ideal stopping
place while Oh campaign. and with the
mess rooms, kitchen and wash rooms the
regulars, while not provided with the com
forts of their barracks. are much better
of than they viii find themselves when
they get to Skagway.
There was nothing suggestive Of play in
tie details assigned 10 the hard work Of
removing the supplies from the train to
the Armory, and the officers were con-
spicuous by their presence directing ope-
Tatious. Except for the difference In The
cut Of the blouse. the white stripes on the
trousers and the shoulder straps there
was little to distinguish Capt. Eastman
from his men. Ali wore campaign hats
and legEiugs. and all Of the uniforms
showed evidence of wear and tear. East
night the Two companies sprs al their
blankets mounted guard and turned in
on the floor Of the Armory. one Of the
me8 stated that only the ordinary winter
clothing provided by the government
would be taken. IL extra warm clothing
Is found necessary upon their arrival. ii
viii he purchased AZ Skagway. No order
has yet been received creating military
stations al Slagway and Dyea and MILL
t8ry law. which viii be declared upon the
arrival OF the troops. viii only toe effect
.vc as may b. stated in Capt. Eastman s
scaled orders The emergency demanded
immediate action. and the war depart
meat may NOT creaJc permanent stations.
There arc no barracks or other habitatfon
provided for the soldiers, and tents will
br erected and camp life entered upon as
soon as Skagway IL reached. The appear
ancr upon tina Sc ne OF the soldiers Is q
prompt ard effective reply TO the applica-
ton of the laE-ahiling clements of the
two towns Companies II and II. which
are yet 20 come win he IA command cf
Col Anderson. Capt. Eastman was in See
attic IN 1855. AZ the time Of the Chinese
riots. Since 1851 he has been continuously
attached TO the department - the Co
umbi3. except from 1899 10 1894. when he
was at the barracks ut Leaveuw2rih. KAN
Nearly al ~ his command ARE c0mrara-
tivelv Young men. and they are a fine
looking lot Sorac OF them have been in
the service for more than twenty years
while others not more t.tn five years
First Sergeant Wale. OF Company 4. has
worn the hlue for twenty-sight years. and
Is the dean OF the barracks. lie has been
at number ~ posts, and was In the In
aian war tn t>1e.