The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-09
COL. SMITHS MEN DUMB.
They See Green Regiments Rushed to
the Front Ahead of Them.

COL. SMITHS MEN DUMB.
They See Green Regiments Rushed to
the Front Ahead of Them.
Correspondence of the Journal.
CHICKAMAUGA PARK, Ca, camp of
the One-hundred-and-f -ffty-eighta Indiana
Volunteers, Aug. Every little has hap
pened in the past week in the camp of the
One-hundred-and-fift Indiana Vol
unteers outside of the ordinary run of
events Another time the boys have been
disappointed in their desire to go to the
front. It was understood that all of the
First Corps was to follow General Brooke,
but this regiment is left behind by those
who go to make up General Wades corps.
Regiments which have not been in the serv-
ice half as long as this one are taken. The
One-hundred-a and-fifty-eighth agrees to OUT
drill Outright, outshoot or outeat any other
regiment in this camp, yet regiments which
have had only four or five regimental drills
since they were mustered into the service
are taken and this one is left behind. How
ever, like the true soldiers that they are,
they accept what seems to be the inevitable
with the customary grumbling, and have
settled down to their work, now hoping that
they may yet be sent to Cuba to help take
Havana, if necessary. The fact that peace
for unless it be as part of an army of oc-
cupation.
Colonel Smith is again in command of the
Second Brigade. Colonel Thayer is now in
command of the regiment This morning
this brigade had a review in heavy march
ing order. The entire camp was torn down
and everything was packed into wagons.
The men carried their ponchos, shelter
tents, haversacks, canteens and cups,
knives forks and spoons. Everything in
the camp was put into the wagons, and Col.
Smith, as acting brigadier general, with his
staff, reviewed the troops. The review took
place in the second field west of our camp.
The First West Virginia Regiment marched
out first, then the ne-hundred-and-fifty-
eighth Indiana, then the Sixth Ohio. First
came the troops then the wagon train, and,
last of all, the ambulance train The entire
column was about four miles long. The
troops were back in their camp about Ii
o'clock, and had their camp re-established
before dinner. All other drills were de-
clared off for to-day, though the weekly in
spection took place this afternoon, Colonel
Smith and his staff inspecting the brigade.
The War Department has recommended
that board floors be placed in all the tents
of the men, another indication that the
troops are to remain here long time.
General Sanger's division, which has been
encamped among the trees, has been or
dered to move, he attributing the large
number of sick in his regiments to the fact
that they are camped under the trees. They
have about one thousand men on sick re-
ort. They have now moved into the large
open field to the south of this brigade, along
the Jays Mill road. and are camped out
in the sun. They have also taken the drill
ground which belonged to this brigade.
This regiment has been particularly fortu-
nate. The death of Private McMullen, of
Company d, last Friday, is only the second
since this regiment was mustered in.
In the absence of Lieutenant Poland,
Capt. Charles Tarlton has been made range
officer for this brigade range. Sergeant
Major Brazngton, who is the official pho
tographer of this regiment, has a brand
new tent especially for himself The tent
itself is a dark blue, and has a fly covering
it, and extending out in front, which is
black. While using 1t for sleeping purposes,
he will also use it for developing his proofs.
The men have already named it "tne
morgue and the dead room"
Lieut.. H. b. Mahan, of Company A, who
was home on leave last week, took advan-
tage of the opportunity to get married, very
muCn 10 the surprise Oh MS lEIGHuS, 10
whom he had not mentioned it at all.
Captain Jacobs, of Kokomo, left this
evening & seven days leave of absence.
Mrs. w. j. Mckee, who has recently re-
turned from Europe. is visiting General Nc
Kee. The officers of the old Second Regi-
ment were glad to welcome the wife of their
old colonel.
On Tuesday General Breckenridge will re-
view the entire command of forty thousand
troops. 1t is expected that the review will
take all day.
Colonel rhayer was very much surprised
last Sunday when an orderly told him that
Chaplain Christensen wished him TO conduct
services, as the chaplain was sick. With
look Of astonishment on his face the colonel
said What" in tone that nearly lifted
tire orderly off his feet.
The orderly insisted that he had delivered
the message correctly, but offered to return
TO the chaplain and investigate. Later he
found the chaplain wished the colonel to
do a slight service for him, and the orderly
had misunderstood him. II. l. j.