The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-21
THE FOURTH AT SEA.
The First Experience of the Virginia
Boys on a Transport.

CAMP NOWHERE. near Savannah,
Ga.) Dec &-Spcciai-H any one should
ask the question where the Fourth Viz
gnia Regiment IS located at this time,
It would be pretty hard TO answer and
1 have decided TO call our place OF exist
cncc Camp Nowhere. for the present time
at least. on Thursday afternoon about
three O'Clock the regiment left Camp on
ward and started for the wharf dis
lance Of about -four miles. IN heavy
marching order. II was the first tramp
OF this kind. but there was no time lost,
although the knapsacks and haversacks
weighed quite heavily on the men. as
each one Of them had provided himself
with "a supply Of provisions which were
20 supplement the regular rations.
IL seemed az II the entire population OF
the good city Of Savannah had turned
out 10 see the Virginia boys on. for an
along the long line Of march the side
walks were lined with crowds of people
who cheercd the soldier boys as they
passed by. At the wharf there was
long and tedious wait and with the cold
breeze blowing IT became quite uncom-
fOr.able 60 the men who were soaked
with Precipitation by their long march.
Finally the order was given 10 board
the transport Chester. which was moored
TO the wharf to receive Nirginia's crack
regiment BY companies the men entered
the vessel and were at once assigned 10
their quarters The First and Third Bat
taliOns were directed 10 the basement. so
10 speak, for taeir quarters were located
nn the deck below the one where emil
grants are usually located in the steer
age. Above them, just "a few feet over
the water line the Second Battalion was
located. consisting Of Companies II ana
NJ. the Richmond Blues ana Company g,
OF Suffolk The fourth company of the
battalion Company 4, of Snffolk. had
left on another transport a Few days be
fore The officers quarters were All esiah-
lished i'm the statcrooms on the upper
deck.
have spoken Of quarters Of the men.
while the places set aside for their stay
on board. were really nothing better than
deserted cattle pens. as the Chester had
prior 10 this war hcen used for the trans
portation Of cattle. However. the men
took everything i'm the best humor posi-
bic and when the hammocks were finally
issued to them. they were swung to the
numerous posts I'm very little time. Then
the first meal was issued. an imitation OF
coffee which might have easily been pass
ed as hot water. and corned beef sand
witches. Then taps were sounded ana
the men were expected 10 rest. but there
was very little sleeping.
The next morning the vessel started on
its sea-voyage. but when the first bar
was passed a dense fog set i'm and We
had TO throw out anchors in what is cali
ed the blight about six miles below the
city Of Savannah. There We have been
an day Friday and yesterday il being
impossible. even at high tide. to pass tho
outside bar. The start from the wharf
was made rather earlier than II was gem
orally expected and so it happened. that
Captain Baughtry. OF Company VI, ana
several soldiers were left behind They
however. boarded a tug and soon caught
up with the Chester. where they were
greeted with cheers. While the transport
was anchored outside Of the bar, the
balance Of its freight. consisting Of pro-
visions and forage. was taken ON board
unfortunately Colonel G.. ". Taylor, tho
commander Of the regiment, was taken
sick with fever and had to hoe confined
10 his bed So General fasbrook. tho
commander of the brigade. who with his
slan accompanied the regiment. took
charge of the same.
The waiting is very tedious aud annoy
ing. but we hope that az high tide. about
noon to-day. we will be able to leave for
Cuba. which We expect TO reach in about
forty-eieht hours.
The nights are especially disagreeahle
as their are always some noisy heads 10
Doe found who try TO see how many men
they can prevent from sleeping. If final
ly quiet is established. then some OF the
government mules that are boxed up ON
the upper deck make themselves 0bnoX-
ious by their paving ana braying
General Hasbrook and all the other
officers are trying their utmost 10 make
it as comfortable as possible for the men
and If the sea Is not too heavy, It is
hoped that the trip will be completed
without much trouble. There are two i'm
spections daily, in the morning and eve
ming of the eutre ship by the officers and
a strict order has been issued prohibiting
all smoking. except on tho upper deck,
for two small blaZcs had 10 DE put out on
the upper deck during the first night.
which apparently had been caused by the
careless handling OF cigarettes stumPs.
Yesterday afternoon while President
Mckinley was the guest of the city of
Savannah. he took % trip down the river
ON Mr. Estns private yatch and was
heartily cheered By the virginia soldiers.
when he passed the transport Chester.
c. w