St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-07-20

stress of heat and weather has triumphed
over obstacles which would have over
come men less brave and determined.
One and all have displayed the most con-
spicuous gallantry and earned the graft
tude OF the nation.
The hearts of the people turn with ten
der sympathy to the sick and wounded.
May the Father of Mercies protect and
comfort them.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY. ]"
Also the following:
"Major.General, Front, near Santiago,
Playa:
Icannot express in words my graft
tude to you and your heroic men. Your
work has been done. God bless you all.
RIA. ALGER, Secretary of War"
Gen. Skater replied as follows:
Camp near Santiago, July 16.
To the President. Washington, d. c.
thank you and my army thanks you
for your congratu atory telegram OF to-
day. l am proud to say every one IN 1t
performed his duty CALAMITY Your
message will be read to every regiment
in the army at noon to morrow
SKATER, Major
A Soldiers Outfit.
CT. Clapp of Davenport. Ia, is in re-
ceipt of an in eresting letter from his son,
Maj. Samuel E. Clapp Of the LIST battal-
lion. 46th Iowa infantry, detailing Incl.
dents of the trip to Jacksonville and
camp lite there. In the letter is state
ment OF the equipment issued by Uncle
Sam to enlisted men, which will be OF
interest here. 1t includes the following :
One overcoat. one blouse, two pairs
trousers, two double breasted Shirts
two pairs undershirts, two pairs
drawers, four pairs socks, one campaign
hat, two blankets, two pairs shoes, one
poncho blanket, one brown canvas
coat, one pair brown canvas trousers,
one shelter half tent, two towels, comb,
soap, one rife, one hundred rounds am.
munition, one canteen, one blanket bag,
one cartridge belt, one bayonet scab-
bard, one haversack, one tin cup, one
meat can, one knife, fork and spoon.
Fighting Bob and the Iowa.
The battleship Iowa, commanded by
Fighting Bob" Evans, is the most for
midable battleship in the United States
navy. Her displacement is l l, 40 tons (;
she has speed of 16 knots; her horse
power is 1000, and she cost So, 010,-
000 Her armament consists of four IL
inch guns, eight inch guns, six inch
and % guns of smaller caliber.
Captain Evans was born in Virginia
in 1916, and during his boyhood broke
colts, shot rabbits and attended such
country schools as the mountains of
Virginia in those days afforded. Upon
the death Of his father in 1855 young
Evans went to live with his uncle, AL
exander H. Evans, in Washington.
Here he attended Gonzaga college, a
we'll known and excellent Catholic in
stitution which has turned out many
good men. In 1859 he was offered an
appointment to the Naval academy by
Mr.. William Hooper, delegate in Con-
gress from Utah. With 5000 and u navy
revolver this young aspirant for naval
honors started for Salt Lake City, which
he reached after hard passage and aft
er he had been shot twice by Indians.
In 1860 he joined his class at the Naval
academy, Annapolis, and afterward,
during the war, served as midshipman
and ensign. He served on board the
frigate Powhatan in the flying squad
ron under Admiral Lardner, and also
in the east gulf under the same officer,
of o,.1 IN, tI,a 1nr
Admiral Porter and Commodore
Schenck 1t was during this sea service
that he participated in the desperate as
sault upon and capture of Fort Fisher.
1t will be remembered that forlorn
hope made up of volunteers from the
feet was sent against the up to that
time impregnable works, and eight
ing Bob," yet mere lad, was one of
the volunteers 1t was one Of the most
desperate and sanguinary assaults of
the war. He was commissioned as lieu
tenant III 1866, and as lieutenant COM
mander in 1868. Subsequently he held
various commands until appointed to
the Iowa. Captain Evans is man of
robust build 30 years of age. His face
is scanned by heavy lines. He walks
with limp, caused by a wound receiv-
ed in battle. He looks his age, every
day of it, and he also looks the typical
sea dog. He is the very man to follow
or lead. Cool, but still full of enthu-
siasm; hardy and stout, but alert in ev-
cry fiber
Captain Chadwick and the New York.
The armored cruiser New York flag
ship of the fieet), commanded by Cap
tain F. E. Chadwick, has displace-
ment Of 5000 TONS her speed is 81
knots an hour, and she cost So, 900, 900.
She carries six inch guns, twelve 4
inch and 16 guns of smaller caliber.
Captain French E. Chadwick was
born in Virginia and appointed to the
Naval academy from that state in 1891