The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-28
special from a STAFF Correspondent.

Camp Alger, Dunn Loring, Va, July
2I-The news of Spalns initiative for
peace deepened the general gloom that
has overspread the camp ever since
the brigade was denied a place in the
Porto Rico expedition. AS long as
there was fighting to be done there
was chance of getting some active
work to do, but with Spain confessing
herself whipped and virtually suing
for peace, this last glimmer of hope
has been extinguished. The boys, of
course, do not want needless pro-
longation of hostilties just to give
them a chance to show their mettle.
They will join in the general rejoicing
which will greet an ending of the war.
What they complain of is that they
should have been so unfortunate as not
to get into the firing line before the
end came. To go home without hav-
Ing done anything more glorious than
making display of good intentions is
not a very consolng contemplation.
General Goblin, unlike the men in the
ranks, was not downcast or disheart-
ened by the mornings news. He was
assiduously studying a military note
book on Puerto Rico when your cor
respondent called on him today to ask
what he thought would become of the
Third brigade in case the peace nego-
tiations went through successfully.
Even If peace should be declared to-
morrow" he said, "it would not affect
our term of enlistment. There will be
work to do for years to come. You can
rest assured we will be part of some
army of occupation and it wouldn't
surprise me II we were yet called upon
to take a hand in whipping those
Cubans into line"
GENERAL IS HOPEFUL.
General Goblin also commented upon
the possibility of getting a Manila call.
General Merritt has said that he will
need $4,000 men for his campaign in the
Philippines. This means that about
10000 more men will be sent there and
there is no reason why General Gobin's
brigade would not stand as much show
as any other of being made a part of
the reinforcements. In fact, it would
not be at all surprising if General
Graham's whole corps, which would
supply just the number of men needed,
would be designated as the support for
General Merritt.
Whether or not the prospect of peace
will make the men less enthusiastic in
their work can not of course, be Judged
at this time, but the chances are that
IT VIII and that from this out the most
part of the work will be done in a
perfunctory manner. There is no uues-
ton but that the restlessness and dis
content will increase. Many of the
men, possibly majority, would pre-
Ter going home to spending two years
In an incessant round of guard and
patrol duty in some Porto Rican or
Cuban town orevillage. Others. though.
are anxious for just such a tour. They
came out for adventure and they want
IT without stint. If a vote were taken
motion to return home would doubt
less carry. No grumblng will be
heard whatever may come The most
that will be heard will be regrets that
all the hardships of getting into shape
should go for naught.
NO FEVER IN NEW CAMP.
Typhoid fever is on the increase at
the Falls Church camp, but at this
site not single case has broken out.
The only cause of worry now in con-
nection with the camp is the contin-
ued failure of the authorities to furn-
ish water supply. From noon yes
terday until late this morning there
wasn't enough water in camp to prop
erly cook the meals The hospital had
only pint of water on hand all night
long. Few enjoyed the luxury, not to
say necessity, of a wash in the inter-
Venlng twenty hours Headquarters
secured enough water to wash up'
Tor breakfast by sending their "striE-
err, Lish WimbuSh, down to Dunn
Lorlng station with a couple of pals.
The non-com mess washed their
hands on the dewey grass. Today way.
er was very scarce. The pump from
which the Thirteenth, the First Con-
necticut and Seventh Ohio have been
drawing their main supply, gave out
this morning and the only water that
could be secured was what could be
gathered from a small surface spring
here and there. The well that is be-
ing sunk for the Thirteenth is still
fruitless.
The Thirteenth is building a stock
ade. Captain Corwin and a detail from
Company Fl began work on il this
morning. 1t is located in the woods
just inside the regiments rear nne.
The increased guard demanded by the
extended dimensions of the camp.
crowds the guard house to such an
extent that there is not room within
its contracted space for both guards
and prisoners. The stockade will be
built of logs and will be fifteen feet
high by sixteen feet in diameter, II
will contain two large Sbley tents for
the accommodation of the prisoners.
one for the long-termers and the 9TH
er for those who merely have to be
held over night.
COTTAGE TALKED or,
There is also talk-not to mention
1t in the same breath-of erecting a
cottage near the camp for the accom-
modation of women visitors. One of
the regiments at the old camp has the
plan in operation and it is very sue
cessful. With a cottage erected and
furnished a steward could be secured
and the officers could then have their
wives come and visit them and make
protracted stays.
The officers mess went into OPERA
ton today. The staff officers continue
to eat in a separate tent, while the
line officers and non-coms mess to-
gether in larger one near by. The
food is much better in every way, and
besides the annoyance of providing and
looking after the cooks, which form
erly kept one man in each mess busy
for good part Of the day, is entirely
done away with. Under the new
scheme the steward furnishes every
thing and charges so much per week
for each member of the mess. Such of
the men as are entitled TO draw ra-
tions turn them in TO the steward and
are given the regular allowance for