The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-16
AN ARMY AFL0AT.
Fleet of Transports Bearing
the Second Division
OF the Philippine Army Leaves
San Francisco.
GREAT ENTHUSIAST
Prevailed on Board and on the
Shore.
Major General Green Goes With
the Expedition.
GREAT ENTHUSIAST

San Francisco, June 16.-Shortly after
noon yesterday the announcement was
made that the steamer Senator which
had been lying at her dock all night,
taking on her cargo and undergoing re-
pairs was ready to go into the stream,
and about 1 o'clock the order was given
to cast off. At the same time Major
General Green ordered the transports
Colon, China and Zealandia, which had
been anchored off the main dock to
weigh their anchors and to proceed up
the bay to join the Senator which had
continued her voyage OcednWardS with
out coming to anchor.
Thousands of people had assembled
along the docks to witness the depar-
ture of the fleet and when the signals
ordering the vessels to get under way
were observed a mighty cheer went up.
Added to the cheering of the people
was the blowing of whistles and the
ringing of bells. Every steam vessel in
the harbor with steam up blew long
blasts from their sirens and every fac
tory and mill in the manufacturing
district salUted the vessels with blasts
from its whistle. Bombs were exploit
ed and cannon were fired and amid all
this hubbub the four stately vessels
bearing their loads of humanity and
munitions of war passed down the bay.
The excitement was intense. The
water front was black with people and
the waving of flags and the handker-
chiefs presented a beautiful sight The
Ors as the transports passed by and
countless yachts and other small craft
trailed behind the big steamers as close
Iy as safety would permit.
The transports themselves were pic
tureSQue indeed. Every available space
was occupied by a soldier. High up in
to the rigging they climbed and every
port hole was filled by a smiling face
and the guard rails were hidden be-
meath struggling masses trying to get
points of vantage to get one last
glimpse of the city and the thousands
of people who have treated them so
kindly since they have been in this city.
The soldiers were as jolly a lot as could
be found. The men cheered themselves
hoarSe and waved their hats and hand
kerchiefs until their arms ached.
The small bay craft continued on
down the bay with the soldier boys,
every now and then Saluting the big
steamers, which were picking up their
speed at every revolution of their pro-
peller. At last only the more powerful
consorts could keep up with the blS
liners and one by one they were drop
ped behind. Tug boats and ferry boats
chartered for the occasion, followed the
vessels down the bay to the Golden
Gate. The afternoon was well nigh
gone when the transports reached the
ocean and only a few of the good
bye boats were with them, but the
men were still perched in the rigging
and waving their gOod-byes in response
to the waving handkerchiefS of the peO-
pie on the decks of the smaller boats.
The four vessels WILL make taSt time
to Honolulu where they will recOal
and proceed on their way to join the
first fleet of transports which left this
city three weeks ago today, bound tor
the Philippines. 1t is expected that the
China will reach Honolulu first, but
after leaving that place the faster boats
will wait for the slower vessels so that
they will reach their destination about
the same time.
Assigned to the China, Major General
Green's flagship, and the largest, finest
and fastest vessel of the fleet, are the
first regiment Colorado volunteer in
fantry 1922 men; half a battalion of the
Eighteenth United States infantry, $50
men and detachment of United States
engineers, 20 men.
The Colon took four companies of the
Twenty-third infantry and two compa-
MES of the Eighteenth infantry, both of
the regular army and battery a, of the
Utah artillery In the battery were
121 men and in each of the infantry
companies 70 men besides the officers,
making less than 500 military passen-
gers The control of the ship was Civ
en- to Lieutenant Colonel Clarence w.
Bailey of the Eighteenth infantry.
On the ZeaIandia were the Tenth
Pennsylvania volunteers and part OF
battery B, of the Utah volunteer artil-
lery. With the gunners went two Max
cautiOnary measure were placed ready
for action in the bow of the vessel In
all there were $40 privates and go Off
GERS on board.
on the steamer Senator IS the first
regiment of Nebraska volunteers NUM-
bering 1923 men and officers.