Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-04


Virginia, First Delaware, and First
Maryland.
The First West Virginia is at
Chickamauga and will sail from New
port News.
Chattanooga, Tenn, August 3.-The
Fifth Illinois Infantry, after numerous
disappointments, finally got away to-
ward the scene of action to-day. At
4:3O O'Clock this morning the regiment
broke camp and marched nine miles to
Ringgold Ca. where trains were in
waiting to convey it to Newport News.
The loading was done rapidly, and be-
fore noon the last of the trains had
pulled out. The route to Newport
News is over the Western and Allan
tic and Seaboard Air Line through
Atlanta. Col. Culver, the commander,
will report to Brig. Gen. Fred Grant
Immediately upon his arrival, and the
regiment will go with Gen. Grants
detachment to Porto Rico.
The action of the War Department
in sending the Fifth Illinois to the
front has caused much comment in the
camp. The reason for this action is
not stated here The rivalry among
Z the regiments remaining here to be in
cluded in the next order to move is
daily becoming highly interesting. The
officers of each regiment are bringing
Ill possible pressure to bear on the
War Department, and the officials will
doubtless save much trouble in max
ng their selections. Senators and
representatives, who are supposed to
lave influence with the War Depart
nent ARE being called upon to help
The regiments of their States. One
regiment is said to have sent out dur
ing the last "a hours over 200 tele-
grams asking influence.
Continuous rains of the past few
aays at Camp Thomas has resulted in
a general desire to change camps, and
the regiments are as rapidly as they
can get permission, moving their
camps to new locations. The damp
ness of the wooded territory has made
the open fields look quite inviting, and
The result is that already number of
regiments, including the cavalry, have
pitched their tents in the open field,
and now have the benefit of generous
sunshine
Many of the regiments that have not
moved, and probably will not move at
this time, have been spurred by the
rain to put their camps in better sani-
tary condition. AS a result, gravel
walks have been constructed, and as
far as is practicable, floors have been
laid in the tents of the men, The SOL
diers of the camp are energetic. and
will, if they remain at the park, be
provided with many of the comforts
common to the American home
A movement is now on foot to invite
Secretary Alger to visit Camp Thomas,
and the invitation will likely be for
warded and strongly pressed during
the next few days. So many stories
have been told about the sanitary con-
ditions at the camp that it is the de-
eire Of those interested to have the
secretary make thorough inspection,
and settle the matter once for all.
Brig Gen. ]. s. Poland, who has
been seriously ill for the past several
weeks, has been taken to Asheville,
Y. C. 1t is hoped he will regain his
iealth in a short time and be able to
esume command of the Second div
sion, First army corps. 1t is not
1nown who will be placed temporarily
q command of the division, but it is
aid that Gen. Mckee, Brigadier Com
nander. will be placed in charge. In
his event. Col. Smith, commanding
the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth IN
diana, will command Gen. McKee's
brigade, he being the senior colonel in
that brigade.
The sum of $1,000 has been appro-
priated for new building for ord
nance. The structure will be erected
near the depot, and it is said that the
contract will soon be given out.
The paymasters will likely begin
their work tomorrow The entire
force eighteen in all-are expected
ere tomorrow.
washington, D. G., August s.-The