The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-05
THIRD TO RETURN HERE
FIGHTERS OF SANTIAGO MAY
NOT HAVE TO MOVE
st. Paul Would Like Them Back.
and 1t Is Thought the Soldier
Boys Would Like to Come Home
Again-Post May Be ENLARGED
to Accommodate an Additional
Cavalry Regiment.

A movement is now on foot by the
commercial bodies of the city to effect
some arrangement with the war de-
partment whereby the popular Third
regiment may again be stationed at
st. Paul as soon as released from active
duty in the field.
The Fighting Third" has, during it's
ten years service at Fort Smelling, be-
come strictly a st. Paul institution.
and the domestic ties of all the officers
and the men are conferred in st. Paul.
and 1t is only proper that the citizens
of ST. Paul should interest themselves
IN bringing back the delightful asso-
Citations of those who helped to not a.
little enliven the social side of St. Paul
Considerable progress has been made
In quiet way, and as soon as the as
signments of Western regiments are
made after the cessation Of hostilities,
the Third, in the ordinary course Of
events, would probably be given some
important post because of its long sery
ice, but there is a strong probability
that the regiment will return to ST
Paul, as grea. pressure is being brought
to bear TO bring this about.
Senator G. K. Davis has been inter-
eSted In the matter, and recently as
sured a committee of directors from
would 90 all H. his power to have the
Third stationed in ST. Paul.
1t has also been stated on excellent
authority that Fort Smelling will be
made one of the most important post s
In the United States just as soon as the
departments are reorganiZed, which
will be nece ssary as soon as a norton
Of our army leave Cuban soil. Ma.nv
of the Western forts which were re-
Gently abandoned, will not be garri
soned again, and the same authority
states that Fort Smelling will be made
a central distributing point for the
Middle West. and that the garrison will
be increased to one regiment of cav
airy, and one of infantry, with possibly
battalion of apprentices, if the bill
providing for this branch passes the
next session of congress, as is now
planned by the war department.
secretary of War Alger has been a
warm friend to st. Paul, and it has
been given out that some good things
are in store for ST. Paul when the
standing army is rearranged
The executive committee Of the Com
mercial club have had the matter un-
der consideration for some time, and
at the regular meeting of the commit
tee next week some definite action will
be taken in the premises.
Ihe chamber of CONNIE cree has been
active in the movement and recentlv
appointed committee to look into the
matter, and a report will be trans
mltted to the executive committee OF
the chamber III few days, in the alb
sence OF regular meetings during the
summer months.
The proposition to increase the garri-
son at the fort and make it a central
point of all army supplies and sub
sistenee is not new one, and has en-
Joyed much agitation in the past. The
admirable facilities of the fort. and its
central location, has especially COM
mended it to Secretary Of War Algor.
Fort Smelling has been classed among
the permanent and important posts Of
the government by, Gen. James r.
wade in his annual report made last
year while in command Of the Depart
nent of the Dakctas
There is perhaps no fort in the West
when IS more conveniently or more adj
VantageoUsly located than Fort Shell
ing. AT the confluence Of two rivers.
midway between the two cities, in the
center of an extensive subsistence pro
ducing section, 1t has all the requisites
a large military post needs hi39o ri.
In the Encouragement Of the several
departments things are liable to be
considerably shaken up, even more 50
than, was occasioned by the last
change.. There is little further need
for troops in the West on account Of
the indians, and even before war was
declared there was considerable talk
OF abandoning Fort Assinaboine, and
quarterlng the troops at Smelling as a
permanent arrangement.
The fort comprises an area. of 1532
acres, and would afford fine grazing
land for regiment of cavalry horses.
The proposition to increase, the gar
rlson at the fort, as well as bringing
back the Third regiment, may be looked
upon as a reasonable certainty.