The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-16

! stationed. 1t may not go until tomor-
row or Monday but it will be sent
South at the earliest moment possible.
Although every army officer and SOL
dier in st. Paul and at Fort Smelling
had been expecting such orders at any
moment for several weeks, it was not
until they came that the men and
ladies Of Fort Smelling realized that the
country was on the verge of war The
ladies had been hoping against hope
that war might be averted, and as the
days passed without action by congress
they were encouraged to believe that
after all ythe war talk would blow over
and Fort Smelling remain their resi-
dence unbroken by tragic separations.
Much the same feeling had pervaded
army headquarters. The officers there
were becoming satisfied that they
would not be disturbed, and We're be-
ginning to lose interest in the Cuban
question. A week ago they were eager
to go to the front, but for the past two
or three days they had been Indifferent
Array headquarters was kept open
later than usual yesterday afternoon in
anticipation Of orders from Washing
ton, but it was after 8 o'clock before
anything was received. Then Gen.
Wade was handed a telegram in the
Hotel Ryan. He opened it and imme-
diately sent for Adjutant General Mac
Arthur and Maj. John J. Clague. Those
officers instantly responded.
"Well, gentlemen" said Gen. Wade,
"it has come"
He handed them the telegram which
was an order from Gen. Miles to send
all Of his command to specified points
along the Atlantic seaboard and to
move department headquarters to Tam
pa, Fla.
The order instructed Gen. Wade to
send the Third infantry to Mobile.
Instantly messages were sent to every
| officer come cted with department head
quarters to report Immediately at the
army building and Gen. Wade sent a
dispatch to Col. Page at Fort Smelling
to get ready Immediately to move to
Mobile.
Then Gen. Wade went to the army
building, where he was soon closetted
with Gen. Macarthur, Maj Wheeler
and the other members of his staff.
They issued instructions as rapidly as
possible to Col. Page regarding trans
portation and rations and then they
communicated with commanders Of
every other regiment in the depart
ment.
Not until every one had been heard
from and arrangements for transporta-
ton been outlined did Gen. Wade and
his officers leave the army building.
When they bade each other good night
they had decided to leave for Tampa
on Tuesday at the latest.
At Fort Smelling.
Fort Smelling never wore more
peaceful aspect than it did last even
ing when twilight settled over the
river and the reservation. Groups Of
| soldiers were seated along the rail on
| the bridge and talking of the time when
they would unpack their belongings,
which have been In readiness for re-
moval more than a week, and they
were making plans for the summer.
In post hall there was a scene of
light-hearted gayety. The orchestra Of
the Third regiment was giving a con-
cert and large audience Of officers
| and ladies was gathered to listen to
| it's melody. Leader Charles Graves had
arranged most attractive programme.
| The steps in the rear of post headQuar-
| tiers were crowded with non commits
stoned officers and men, who were
| drinking in the strains that floated
| from the windows Of the hall.
One Of the selections was the Bohem-
| ian Girl. The opera never IVES played
| with more tenderness and ar 'eciation.
| The orchestra had Just be- IN, "The
Heart Bowed Down." when {. man ran
| out Of the telegraph office AID said to
| those about the stepss
"At last, boys. We're go.z
AT the same time the ssrgeant In
charge Of the telegraLA oilice ran