The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-12-01
Brief History Of MeanderingS Of
First New York.
HAS MUCH CAMP LIFE
Organizatfop-In Floods Of Rain
for Weeks-Expectatto
fects Of Typhoid.

ED TOR p. c. A.:-The expression
of public sentiment concerning the
current topics of city is not infre-
lGuently received in the conversations
ldaily heard in hotel corridors, public
and private offices, homes, and on the
IStreets.
| The realization of these truths so
closely mirrored in everyday life, the
reelection OF which is brought the more
wildly TO d thinking public through
| the press, which opens the eyes of
mans understanding to the true state
of affairs, has prompted the compost
tion of this communication in the faith
the the good opinion entertained by
the people of Honolulu toward the
First New York Volunteers may be the
more strengthened by a brief history
| of the regiment and a few facts con-
cerning the spirit of restlessness, and
the expectation of active service at the
front not realized, which has been the
cause of all the discomfort among those
who make up its organization.
When the first call to arms was made
by the President, at the beginning Of
the war, among the first to respond
were twelve separate companies of fif-
teen cities along the Hudson river. Ac
cepted by the Government they were
concentrated at Camp Black, Long ISL
and. and there consolidated into a regi-
ment, to be known as the First Provis-
ional Regiment.
After mastering into the service of
the United States, the name of the reg
ment was changed to the title it now
bears. 1t was at Camp Black that we
were brought face to face with the side
of army life, that seemed but a fore
runner of the life that was before us
as soldiers.
1he regiment was in camp at this
place from May I'd until the 18th day
of June, during which time it rained
in torrents almost continuously.
There were times when the down
pour was so terrific that streams of
water flowed in under the tents, soak
ing the bedding, upon which the men
slept They were compelled to wear
wet clothing, and there were days
when the very tents were swept away,
exposing the inmates thereof, to the
fury of the storm.
It was with ringing cheers that we
received orders TO move from Camp
Black, and though the order directed
that the regiment be distributed
the different posts guard |
ing the entrance to New York. when
the general expectation was a move to
the front. ali good naturedly resigned
themselves to the inevitable, entered
upon their new duty-which in itself is
monotonous and irksome
with enthusiastic arder.
After three weeks of this life We
again received marching orders. This
time, our destination was 10 be at the
very front, for we We're ordered to the
Philippine Islands, which were then in
a state Of great turbulence.
On the Sth of July the regiment, in
three sections, steamed out Of Jersey
City, New Jersey, en- route 10 San
Francisco, there to embark on the
transport in waiting for Manila.
Arriving in San Francisco, great dis
appointment was evinced at finding NO
transport ready, and we were compell-
ed go into temporary bivouac at the
notorious Camp Merritt.
This camp being such pest and dis
ease breeding spot, rather than men
ace the health of his command, Colonel
Barber moved his regiment TO the
Presidio military reservation.
While here, came tidings Of the an
aezation of the Hawaiian Islands to
the United States.
With the news Of the signing OF the
treaty, which brought TO a successful
termination months Of oratorial and
logical warfare at the national capital
over the Hawaiian question, came also
an official mandate. directing that a