The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-25
Reply of Col. Harry b. Smith, of the
15Sth Indiana, to Gov. Mounts
Telegram of Inquiry.
BARNETT NOT READY TO QUIT
MANY OF HIS MEN, HOWEVER, ARE
ANXIOUS TO COME HOME.
Deaths Among Indiana Volunteers
Incidents of the Arrival of the
16Oth at Lexington.

The War Department yesterday notified
Lieutenant Waterman that he had been
designated to muster out the One-hundred-
-fifty-seventh Regiment. There was no
intimation as to how soon the regiment
would be started to indianapolis, but it is
supposed 1t will be sent as soon as trans
portation is obtained. The regiment will be
encamped at Camp Mount There was a con-
ference between the Governor and Secre
tary Kennedy, of the State Board of Agri-
culture. yesterday Mr.. Kennedy indicated
that there would be no objection to the SOL
diers pitching their tents in the northeast
part of the fair grounds, as the board had
an idea it would be an additional attraction
to have camp in the grounds the week of
| the fair. No buildings will be available for
| use.
Governor Mount yesterday received a let
| ter from Colonel Harry B. Smith, of the
| ed-and-fifty-eighth Regiment
written at Camp Thomas, Aug 2s. 1t was.
in reply to the Governors telegram inquir-
ing whether the officers and men wish to
be mustered out. The letter did not answer
the question directly, although Col. Smith
suggested that the men ought to be sent
to some Northern State. He said he had re-
ferred the question of muster out to Lieut..
Col. Thayer, who is in command of the regi-
ment. As published yesterday, Lieutenant
Colonel Thayer telegraphed the Governor
Tuesday saying simply that I'VE stand
ready and willing to obey orders" Neither
the telegram from Lieut.. Col. Thayer nor
the letter from Colonel Smith indicate def
mtely whether the men desire to come
nome, but leaves the matter open. In his
letter to the Governor Colonel Smith said:
| Your telegram addressed to me as colo
| mel OF the One-hundred-and-fif -fifty-eighth In
diana Volunteers is just received and has
been handed to Lieut.. Col Edwin p Thayer
| Jr., by me. He is now and has been Tor
| some time in command of the regiment as
have been transferred to the command of
the Second Brigade. l have not been in
command of .my regiment to exceed four
| weeks during the entire time that 1 have
been in the volunteer service having been
| transferred to the command of the Second
Brigade. From personal observation and
after a careful consideration of the stua-
| ton here, L would say that 1 believe it adj
| visable to have the men of the One-hundred-
and-fifty-eighth Indiana placed in some
camp farther north than the present one
This mornings sick report shows ten cases
| of typhoid fever and five of malarial fever
and f1fty-five men in sick quarters OF
these ffty-five probably one-thrd are re-
covering from light attacks of malarial
fever; probably one-fourth have colds
and are suffering from the conse-
quence of exposure, part of the remainder
have rheumatism and part of them COM
plants that are common to soldiers in camp
| from injudicious eating, etc.
| There is probably less sickness in this
regiment than any regiment at Camp
| Thomas at this time. The most rigid SAN
| itary rules have been enforced from the
start, and the result is that we have to-
day comparatively few seriously sick men,
| However, I am satisfied that this is an un-
| healthy camp, and that the men ought to be
moved from here. Our orders now are to
proceed to Knoxville, Tenn, and we will
leave here on Thursday morning for that
place.
This regiment was mustered into the
| volunteer service, and when they went IN
they understood that it was not child's
play, and they have at all times been ready
10 face any hardships either in fighting in
| the field or sickness of any kind in camp
| that they have been or might have been
called on to meet. There have been three
deaths in this regiment, two of which, at
| least, resulted from the climatic influences
| and fever, and one of which / consider
wholly the fault of the man himself The
officers and men are ready now, as they
| have been in the past to do their duty and
TO obey any orders that may be given them
|
| thority 1 free to say that I would order
this regiment to some Northern State and
into the climate to which the men have been
habitually accustomed, as / believe it would
be for the best interests of all the men con-
cerned, and personally l would rather sac
rifice any ambition that may have to get
to the front in order TO save the life of the
lowest private in the regiment.
| Further than this / cannot say but
thank you deeply and heartily for your well
wishes and shall be governed entirely by
your desires in this matter. and will leave
| you free to take any steps that you may
deem advisable. having in mind at all
times the welfare of this regiment"
! Colonel Gunder. as already indicated, sent
a telegram from the tone of which the
Governor concluded that regiment did not
care 10 be mustered out. Colonel Barnett
had not been heard from yesterday. If his
regiment wants to be mustered out it will
be ordered home.
Major NJ. r. Peterson was yesterday
ordered TO join his regiment, the One-hun-
d-9nd-sixty- y-first. now at Jacksonville.
Fla. Governor Mount received telegram
10 this effect, which stated that Major Pet
erson had been relieved OF his duties as
commissary and that Lieutenant Thomas,
| of Cantafn RlcknersS comnanv hsd haar
designated TO fill the position. There is yet