The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-23
10000 IN CAMP.
Kansas Troops in the Midst of
Multitude.
CalifOrnians Do Ali Honor to
the Volunteers.
E. A O. e II TO FIGHT.
New Rifles Succeed the Old
Weapons.
Troops ClamOring to Start For
Manila.
E AGER TO FIGHT.

Ban FRANCISCO, May 23.-Ten thousand
United States troops are tenting here,
5000 of this number being volunteers
at Camp Richmond, located on the site
of the old Bay district track. Four
thousand five hundred men, comprising
the recent arrivals from the various
states to the eastward, are comfortably
ensconced, despite the drizzling rain,
which it was feared would soak every
thing.
The soil of the camping ground is a
dry sand, which easily absorbs mois-
ture. Abundance of fire wood has been
provided. The men are now literally
supplied with blankets and they have
no trouble either here or at the Presi-
dio camp in keeping dry. ALI the troops
from Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and
Minnesota, which were ordered to San
Francisco, are now here, but many more
troops Will arrive from other sections
during the next few days.
The Washington volunteers, quarter
ed at Fontana Barracks, want to go to
Manila. They want to highland es-
pecially do they desire a chance at the
men who started the rumor that they
were averse to foreign service and that
they had asked to be retained for coast
duty.
Lieut.. Col. Fife assembled the two
Washington battalions in a hollow
square and asked every man who did
not want to go to Manila, to hold up his
hand. No hands were raised.
"Those who want to go to Manila at
once" said he.
There was a reply that made the
blood tingle in the hearers veins. The
growing darkness partly obscured the
faId Of ho hot inf he ir
but there was no mistaking the yell
that made the room ring, Manila or
bust" was the burden of the cry in
their delight at the chance to show
their feeling, they hugged each other
and cheered the colonel, the flag and
the state of Washington.
The soldiers had just finished break
fast yesterday morning when some
keen-eyed warrior sighted the cruiser
Charleston coming from behind Angel
island, and making her way out through
the Golden Gate. In an instant the
whole camp was in an uproar. Every
one except the guards raced toward the
beach and a combined yell from 1000
thrOatS went across the water to the
men on the gray cruiser, who were on
their way to join Admiral Dewey. Flags
were waved and the cheering continued
until the ship was out of sight. The
Charleston responded to the greeting
by blowing her steam siren and plung-
ed into the Pacific and out of sight at
Is knot gait. Then the soldiers went
back to camp and made ready Tor IN
spection and church. Services were
held by the different regiments on a
sloping hill side at one end Of the camp.
The men stood at place rest" and lis
tened to the patriotic utterances of
their respective chaplains. At the con-
cIusion of the regular services, the var
ious regiments marched in review, each
headed by it's band. The reviewing Of
ficer Brigadier General Otis was highly
pleased at the soldierly bearing of the
troops and complimented them upon
their proficiency in the evolutionS and
tactics.
This morning a supply of late model
Springfield rifles arrived and the men
of the First regiment were provided
with new weapons in place of their old
time muskets.
In spite of the crowds at the Presidio,
Ft. Richmond was not neglected. Thou
sands of people visited the grounds
sas and Wyoming soldiers are in camp,
and Wed with each other in expressions
of hospitality. From a sanitary point
of view FIT. Richmond is preferable to
the Preside camp grounds. Although
quite a number of men responded to
sick call this morning there was moth
ing more serious than a cold to be
treated.
All the soldiers are impatient to start
for Manila and their ardor does not
seem to be abated by the hard work of
camp life. Drilling at both camps is
almost incesSant and a more willing lot
of soldiers was never seen.