Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-06-02
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
I, WIN Ecmain ut MiddIatown Untii II is
FulIy Equipped.

1, WIN Ecmain ut MiddIntown Untii IL t.
FUlIy Equipped.
stan correspondence OF Gnzotts nnd journal.
Midllatown, May 2S.-.1'he officers Of
the First Delaware Regiment, Unitua
States Volunteers, ut Camp Ebe W.
Tunnel, have received information
from the War Department to the effect
thai il is the intention OF the govern
ment to allow the regiment to remain
here unit it is fully equipped. Until
to-day it was thought that tine men
would ma novel away in very Hhor'
order and equipped elsewhere, and tht
mon had about made up their minds
that they would leave in the shape ir
which they now are, some not properly
clothed. No idea can be formed as to
how long the troops will be here, as
nothing ~ known concerning the equip
ment or when ii will be received. Ad-
vices from the War Department say,
however, that shoes and articles VI
clothing which are absolutely recassary
will he shipped re soon as ia prauti
cable, and it il believed tho shoes will
be ready tor distribution by the middle
of next week and possibly sooner, hut
not any sooner than they are needed.
About 600 Of the men are uu
uniformed and some who are uniformed
need new clothing. Consequently about
700 uniforms will be necessary. The
regiment ia in possession Of l21 first
class rifles and 100 other rifles good
enough to be used Therefore it will
take about 100 rifles to arm the men
properly All Of this information the
War Department will obtain or has
already obtained from the REPORTS of
M a Waltar II hn
recruiting officer, and Col. Chaytur,
who has been in charge of the quarter
masters department Col. Chaytor has
complete record of the property owned
by the regiment while State organi-
zation and most of the material which
cannot be used has been returned to
the State armory in Wilmington. Asa
matter of feet, however, nearly every
thing held by the troops while In this
State service was in good shape ami
very little was returned. All Of the
knapsacks wero sent back to the
armory, however, as the government ia
to provide an entirely new outfit 10
this line
There is much dissatisfaction among
the men, due to the fact that they
believe the government is not giving
them proper consideration. Some say
they are not receiving enough food and
it is understuon that the supply of
blankets is short. For these reasons
some of the men are ,leserting. Com
plant has been made to the officers
and the matter is being Investigated.
1t cannot be understood why the
government should not make ample
provision for all of the mon.
1t having been about decided by the
War Department to have troops sta
toned at various points along tho
Delaware River, many OF the men here
think that duty should fall to them.
They do not fancy the idea of being
sent out o. the State and having
soldiers sent from other States to
protect the interests of Delaware.
The formation of the three battaliops
has been decided upon, and assign
ments Of commanders, il is understood,
are as follows: First Battalion-Cos.
A, @, Il and K-Lieutenaut- Colonel
Stevenson, commander; Second Bat
talion-Cos. b, d, E and G-MaJor
Townsend, commander; Third Bat.
talion-Cos. II, |, l. and M-Majur
Gordon, commander. The tents arc to
be rearranged, it is understood, 40 rs
TO have the companies in the same bat
talon in adjacent streets.
Major Gordon has received an order
from tho War Department announcing
that the letters ~. s. W. are to be
worn on the coat collars OF com
missioned officers. 1t is not known,
though whether there will he any
device to designate the State or ree-
ment. Inquiry will be made OF tho
department on this point.