Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-18
ARMY TO DISBAND.
The Mastering Out Of the volun-
teers Formally Begun.
FORMAL ORDER WILL Soon Be XADE
About 100000 Volunteers VIII he Dig
charged Within the Next Thirty Days
-satisfsctiOn vt the Csmps-Ke-
view vt Camp Thomas.

Washington. Aug. 1.-THE muster
ing out OF the volunteer army raised
in defense Of the union against the
armies Of Spain practically began al
the war department yesterday and
will be continued until the army has
been placed on basis consistent with
our present relations to the nations OF
the earth. Orders were prepared yes
terday for the mastering out Of about
$4,000 volunteers including nearly rs
regiments OF infantry and about
eight troops Of cavalry and five or six
batteries OF artillery. The details OF
the order bearing on this subject have
not been fully perfected and the Off
Gals confne themselves to gen.
eral statements in regard there
TO- 1t was admitted that the
First regiment of Vermont vol
unteers attached to the Third army
corps, encamped at Chickamauga,
Ga, had been ordered to proceed to
Fort Ethan Allen, Va. That post is
the nearest one to the homes Of the
members OF the regiment and was Sc
lected with view to their mastering
out soon after they arrive there. Adjt
Gen. Corbin said that similar course
would be followed in the case OF the
other volunteer regiments selected for
mastering out. They would, he said,
be ordered to their state capitals as
soon as it could be done without dan.
ger to the interests of the government
and mustered out of the military serv-
ice as rapidly as possible
In response to direct inquiry on
the subject, Gen. Corbin said that this
course would be followed in the First
regiment, District Of Columbia volun.
teer infantry. According to the pres
ent plans, this regiment, which is now
about to embark at Santiago, will be
detained In the camp at Montauk
point, L. l., just long enough to
enable them to get a complete new out.
fit of clothing and to recuperate from
the fatigues Of the hard campaign near
Santiago. 1t Is therefore probable
that after the district soldiers have
been at Montauk point a few weeks
they will be ordered to Washington
and remain In service here until they
are regularly mustered out.
Unless there is decided change
in the present plans Of the war
department, about 1000 volun.
teers will be mustered out within
the next 80 days Formal announce
ment OF the plans of the department
on this subject is being deferred, pend
ing the receipt of certain desired in
formation from Maj Gen. Merritt,
commanding the military forces in the
Philippines Advices are hourly ex-
pected from him as to his wishes in
the matter. There is a large number
of volunteersin the Philippines, and it
Is possible that it may be deemed ad-
visable to bring them home and, If
necessary, to replace them with regu.
lars.
The proposed reduction Of the army
to the extent Of 100000 men will still
leave a military force Of about 10000
men, regulars and volunteers, availa.
BILE for all military purposes. 1t is be.
lieved to be the purpose of the admin.
istration to maintain an army Of at
least 100000 men until all of the pend
ing complications with Spain are
finally disposed of.
SATISFACTION AT THE CAMPS.
Chickamauga Park, Ga, Aug. H.
The Associated press news from Wash
ington yesterday evening regarding
the plan to muster out 100000 of the
volunteers has caused feeling of sat
isfaction in many of the camps over
the prospects Of an early return to the
peaceful pursuits of home life. As yet,
however. there is not feeling that
interest in military affairs is at an
end. The elimination of all interests
of camp life came to-day when $4,000
Of the volunteers, including the cav.
airy and artillery passed in review at
Camp Thomas The local interest in
this event was just such as would be
manifested by the whole country had
all the people an opportunity to wit
ness 1t. 1t was holiday for Chatta.
nooga. Stores, banks and business
houses generally were closed and The
citizens Of Chattanooga turned out in
a body to witness the pageantry. A
number of distinguished men were