The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-16
DRENCRED THE TROOPS.
Three Thousand Soldiers Waiting to &c
to Manila,

San Francisco, May 15.-All night
long the rain which commenced falling
yesterday afternoon continued to
drench the 5000 men camped at the
Preside awaiting rders to proceed to
Manila to relieve Admiral Dewey.
The Preside is a sea of mud and the
troops, most of whom are lacking prop
er clothing to Withstand the cold and
damp, are suffering greatly, but the
men do not complain. Although their
tents are surrounded by miniature
lakes and small rivulets of rainwater
course through the camps underneath
cots and shakedown beds, not a whim-
per is heard. Last night was the most
disagreeable yet experienced by the
men; fires would not burn and the
troops had to content themselves with
cold lunches and an occasional cup of
coffee which the good people of the Red
society prepared for the shivering sol
diers. Although blankets in plenty had
been distributed during the day, little
sleep was obtainable on account of the
inconvenience the men had to on
tend with. The sentries suffered most
of all. All day and night they tramped
steadily up and down their beats, wet
to the skin. Most of them lacked over
coats, but one by one they were sup
piled with this comfort by their more
fortunate comrades, who could get In
der the shelter of tents.
1t is said that by tonight the men
will be made more comfortable. There
has been so much to do and so little
time to do it in. that it has been i'm
possible for the officers to look after
every detail, and they were greatly
handicapped on account of their inabil-
ity to secure the articles necessary for
the comfort of the men, the stocks of
local merchants being depleted early in
the week.
The Charleston is still at Mare ISL
and and nothing definite can be learned
regarding the time of her departure or
whether or not she will convoy one or
more of III troop ships which have
been chartered to take supplies and
men to Admiral Dewey. 1t has been
given out at the Presidio, unoficially.
that the first ship load of men will
leave tomorrow or Tuesday, but this
is impossible unless the men go al
most totally u%nprepared for the duties
they may be required to perform in the
Philippines.
They have not been supplied with
sufficient clothing or arms and ammu-
milton. The troops need shoes. over
GOATS, underclothing, rifles and ammu-
milton. 1t has been determined by the
officers to ask for Krag-Jorgensen
rifles. and IL these canot be secured,
1884 model Springfelds will be asked
for. The quartermaster's department
is unable to supply the 30 days ra-
lions necessary for the first months
service, and these must be secured be-
fore any of the troops can leave.
The City of Picking doubtless will be
the first vessel to the Philippines. and
she is not in condition to receive the
troops; but a large force of men Is at
work on her and she al be prepared
for the reception of the men at "a
hours notice. Orders have been re-
ceived to get the first regiment ready
for departure, but this cannot be done
until the necessary supplies have been
received. Several small steamers and
schooners are engaged in transporting
supplies from Mare ISLAM to this city
for loading on the Picking.
The steamers Australia, City of sgd
ney and Ohio are being gradually pre-
pared for service as transports. but II
will take at least a week or 10 days be-
fore they are ready for sea. 1t was
given out this morning that the steam
| er Connemaugh has not been char
tered by the government. as previously
stated.
Nearly 5000 troops from Minnesota.
Colorado, Utah and Oregon will arrive
here on Wednesday and Friday next
and will go into camp at the Presidio.
The 18th infantry regiment OF Mime
sofa, comprising Lose men and officers.
will leave st. Paul tomorrow and ar
rive here on Friday morning. One
complete regiment from Colorado,
numbering over 1000 men. a battalion
from Utah numbering several hundred
men and officers and another special
train load of men from Oregon. will
arrive here Wednesday morning.
The transportation of troops and
supplies Is testing the carrying capac-
ity of the Southern Pacific company's
lines to the limit. and there Is a short
age of passenger cars In conse-
quence.
Under American Protection.