Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-18
Camp Alger's Force to Be Reduced
One half.
REGIMENTS UNDER INSPECTION
Believed to Be Destined for San
tiago de Cuba.
NOTES OF THE CAMP
speei1l Correspondence of The Evening Star.

the departure of about half the troops HOW
in Camp Alger. Inspections have pro-
crossed rapidly as possible, the issue
of supplies has continued without inter-
rupt.on. and. except for such regiments as
reported to the camp with complete equip
ment the regular routine of camp duty has
been suspended in order to accelerate the
issue and packing of the individual sup
plies of the
Captain VI. C. Butler. jr., the inspecting
officer. has had hardly minutes rest
since reveille. He has inspected three resi-
ments, and before nightfall will have ex-
amined the accouterments of two Inc
9Th New York, one of the commands
equipped at the expense of the state gov
yernment. the first to be inspected
This is the regiment that spoiled its clothes
yesterday and paraded in overcoats ana
army broganS. Shirts, socks. trousers and
blCuSes were all in fine condition. and the
rifles of the men were rubbed up until they
shone like those of an interstate drill team.
Then the Sd New York, which was also
equipped by the state, was drawn up, and
after ii the 159th Indiana. One of the
Michigan regiments, proba bly, the 34th and
the 9th Pennsylvania, are ordered to be
prepared for inspection this afternoon.
One consequence of Capt Buffers tour
of yesterday that 212 rifles in the keep
ing of the 9Th Illinois are soon to he con-
demned- The condition of these firearms
was not criticised. but they were con-
demned because they are of old pattern,
the model of 1873
The inspection officer reported this fact
to Mai Gen Butler, who issued order
through his ordnance officer directing that
list of rifles needed by the 9th Illinois
should be transmitted TO MIN at once This
direction was complied with.
Quartermasters' Supplies.
Quartermasters' supplies have begun to
arrive in camp in great numbers. Trains
of five or six wagons each have been COM
ing in since about 9 o'clock. They were
laden for the most part with uniforms and
dog tents. The brown canvas suits, which
will complete the issue of uniforms. will
begin to arrive tomorrow. Each recruit
will then have thee complete uniforms
and an oyercoat, all the equlpase OF that
SORT that can be conveniently carried
Among the regular army officers the i'm
preston seems to prevail that the troops
cannot get away before week from to-
nc rrow: that is, before Sunday, June 26-
Unless present plans are changed, the
troops designated will start in day
two. under command of Major General But
Ter. to assist in the operations against
Santiago de Cuba. This division is COM
posed of the LIST New Jersey. 9Th Ohio 65th
New York, 9th Illinois, 9th Massachusetts,
9th and 9th Ohio and the sth, 18th and 18th
Pennsylvania regiments
These regiments are divided into three
brIgades. commanded, respectively, by Col.
L. y. Campbell, Gen. G. a. Garretson and
Col H. a. Coursen. The I'd Brigade will
most probably form Part of the Santiago
expedition 1t is composed of the 9Th Illi-
nOis, 9th M1SsaC huSetts and Sth and 9th
Ohio, and IS commanded by Gen. Garrett
son They or to be transported to Sarti-
ago on the dig auxiliary cruisers ale and
Harvard. which have been loaned to the
War Department for that purpose. These
vessels each have accommodations for
about 900 men
Inquiry to Water Supply.
letter was written to the Secretary of
War not long ago making inquiries into
the water supply and sanitary condition of
Camp AIger. The letter contained clippings
from New York paper.
The War Department sent the letter to
Gen. Graham, who asked Col. Girard for a
report upon the subject The surSeon-in-
chief answered with a general arraignment
OF the newspapers and the statement that
the water supply had been tested and found
pure and sufficient in quantity.
General Graham inuorSed Col. GirardS
statement in the following words:
Respectfully returned. inviting attention
OF the general of the army to the indorSe-
ment of the chief surgeon. Col Girard is
a most competent and efficient officer pro-
fessionalIy. His administration is entirely
satisfactory. The friends of the soldiers
may rely upon his ability to administer the
affairs OF the medical department with
sound judgment and conscious attention,
and to their wants
Gambling Prohibited.
Major General Butler yesterday publish
ed the following communication, which had
been sent to all regimental commanders of
the LIST Divisions:
Gambling is prohibited within the tents
OF this camp. The major general com
manding the division has observed with re-
gret that soldiers have INDUCED in the
reprehensible practice of card playing while
on guard duty. He thinks that it will not
be necessary to call attention to this I'M
soldierly conduct again. and that he will
not be called upon to infict punishment
fer any infiaetion of this order.
Officers will report promptly to these
headquarters any violation of this order
which may come to their notice.
by command of Major General Butler.
\ copy of the following circular was
sent to all commanders Of the regiments
expected to leave camp shortly:
The major general commanding the Cd
Army Corps has directed that the -
Voluntary Infantry hold itself in readiness
for inspection by the corps inspector, with
the view of condemnation by him of all IN
seryiceable rifles
Bunker Hill Day.
Massachusetts celebrated Bunker Hill
day yesterday with no end of enthusiasm.
From the beginning of the ball game in the
morning, with which the celebration be-
gan. until taps at night neighbors Of the
9th and 9th Massachusetts, Volunteer In
fantry could hear the sounds of the cere-
monies half mile away
The events consisted of a ball game be-
tween the two regiments. an athletic meet,
holiday dinner and fireworks and speech
IS in the evening. League games of ball
faded into insignifIcance for the soldiers
in comparison with the contest between
the two regiment teams. The game finally
went To the 6th-5 to 4. Then came the ath-
letic events-TUns. high jumping. hop-skip-
and-Jump and regimental race Twenty
five large silver cups, contributed by Mas
sachusetts firms. were the prizes and COM
petition for their possession was keen
Representative Fitzgerald contributed the
oinner-2,We pounds of chicken boxes of
canned vegetables. whole cases of canned
peaches and innumerable other things A
large tue OF punch was contributed by
the newspaper men with the regiments
Visitors from the regiments camped near
BY were numerous. Congressman Fitzger-
aid was accompanied by Representatives
Weymouth. Knox, Lawrence and Sprague
MI John Harmon and Mr.. E r. McSwee-
ney, assistant commissioner of fnmipra-
ton of New York city.
Conference Reports Adopted