The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-17


as it is the intention that 1t shall be in
every instance. The officers TO organ
ize these troops into brigades and di-
visions Will be determined upon very
soon and be ordered to stations accord
ingly. The impression that seems to
obtain that any particular corps or
camp will have a superior advantage
over others in being sent to the front,
Is wholly erroneous. The distribution
of camps was made upon the lines OF
transportation and supplies. The sup
ply departments will have depot in
each camp which can be more readily
reached than the troops could at their
rendezvous in their several states.
! At the close of work yesterday at 6
o'clock the total number of troops
mustered was $1,000 Taking into con-
sideration the careful physical eXami-
nation to which these men have been
subjected, the progress has been Won
derfully rapid.
The order assigning the troops has
been issued and contain the following:
! One regiment of South Carolina in
fantry, to Chickamauga.
! To the department commanders: One
regiment of North Carolina infantry,
one battalion of South Carolina infan-
try and one battery (heavy).
! One battalion of Virginia infantry to
; Washington, D. C.
! One regiment of North Car olina in
fantry to Tampa, Fla, also two regi-
ments of Virginia infantry to the same
place.
SUSPICIOUS TORPEDO BOAT.
Secretary long was at the navy de-
partment several times during the day
and in addition ito the dispatch from
the admiral he authorized the publica-
tion of the statement that the torpedo
boat Terror belonging to the Spanish
fleet was disabled at Port of France,
Martinique. The dispatch is as fol-
lows:
! Spanish torpedo boat Terror dis
abled ait Port of France, Martinique"
! There was a disposition among some
of those who saw the statement to re-
gard it with suspicion, suggesting that
| the report of disability was intended
| simply as bluff and that the Spanish
! government had caused it to be spread
: so that no complaint could be made to
| France on account of the stay of the
boat at a neutral port. None Of the
officials, however, would express them
selves on the subject.
FIRST EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
Secretary Ling also made public
message which had been received from
Key West telling Of the United States
Brainard. She is bound for some point
in Cuba with a view to securing the
lease of two American prisoners un-
, der flag of true, in exchange for
| Spanish prisoners held by this gov
| ernment.
| Havana, May 15.-The Spaniards re-
Gently captured two Americans, both
of whom claim to be newspaper CORES
pondents and one of whom says he
| is an electrical engineer. They were
| taken at Alado. One carried a camera,
wore a small five pointed star and had
a quantity of mail matter on his per-
son. When captured they threw them
selves upon Spanish generosity and
shouted viva Espana." 1t is reported
that third member of the party made
his escape by swimming. The two
who were captured arrived here today
and were taken to Caballoria wharf,
and from there were carried to Ca
banaS fortress.
At 2 o'clock this afternoon, a newSpa-
per dispatch boat was seen approach
ing the entrance of the harbor bearing
a flag of truce. Mr.. Marengo, the
chief of staff on the naval station went
to meet the boat in launch. The AM
erican vessel lowered a small boat with
two American officers who Informed
Mr.. Marengo that their object was to
effect an exchange of Spanish prison
captured at Salado. Mr.. MarengO then
returned to lay the matter before Co
vernon General BlancO, after which
the launch went out again, this time
carrying also Colonel Gelpi. of the gen.
eral staff, and Mr.. Gollan, the British
consul general A conference was then
held on board the Spanish launch.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT ACTIVE.
AT the state and war departments
the officials on hond in many of the
bureaus of the greater part of the day.
Secretary Day and Assistant Secretary
Adee and Cridier were at their desks.
Secretary Day said that he had no
important news to communicate to the
press nor had he any comment to make
ON the devices from Madrid telling OF
the designations Of the entire Spanish
ministry.
In Adjutant General Corbin's Office,
war depar tInent, important action In
the assignment OF volunttee troops TO
the various n7Obdlizing points was taken
durtng the day. The order of assign
menH shows that there has been some
change regarding the points to which
the volunteers shall be sent, as great
portion Of them go to Chickamauga,
while those who will come to Washing
tOH are less by ten thousand than
were originally to this city.
6AMPSON'S MOVEMENTS.
dCopYright by Associated Press.)
Zane Haytien, Republic of Hayti,
Nav 15.-Che United States store ship
Supply is still here under waiting os-
derS.