Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-15
SOLDIERS TREATED BETTER.
Condition Of Affairs Mt Camp Meade m"to
Il EncnnrnginE.

tered out H0on being aDRnuontu' ~
ia said, however, that there Ia a posi-
bility of one and probably two OF the
battalions being mustered out, although
there is no indication Of such a step
being taken very soon. Most al the
men have about come to the conclusion
that they had better prepare them
selves to go to Cuba and SOME have
begun to make the necessary prepaIa-
tion.
The Delaware regiment is not only
ono of the hest drilled but also one OF
the healthiest regiments 10 the ssryioe,
which features, it IL believed, are
accountable in large measure for its
being retained.
The men ara beipg bettor cared for
now than they were few days ago and
the complaints are NOT SO numerous,
As a matter Of fact, some Of the atoriee
printed in the newspapers were very
much exaggerated, although there is
NO denying that the men, or many of
them ut least, have been badly treated
and at times 1t was difficult matter
to get enough food to keep hunger
away. The oiiicers are keeping watch
full eye over this matter now. however,
and the indications arc that things
will bs better in the fnture.
The men are not required to drill
very much because the field is nearly
covered with weeds abnut foot high,
that is the portion which would be used
for drilling. 1t is understood that
NJ aior- General Graham has issued an
order prohibiting the mon from drilling
among the weeds, as by doing so they
might contract malsrial fever from tho
dust which they would inhale. All
such precautions are being taken to
prevent the msn from becoming sick,
and il they are well fed they viii soon
be in good shape. Some of the soldiers
have been poisoned on the body by
weeds with which they came in con-
tact.
Over $1,000 luayes Of bread and
90, 600 pounds OF fresh meat are con.
sumed here in day, in addition TO
numerous other articles Of food.
One Of the members who was spoken
to about tine matter, stated TINT the food
was usuallay better on the days when
the officers made an inspection of that
department in some of the companies.
"We always get good food on inspco-
tion days." he remarked, because the
quartermasters know that it 10 to their
credit to make good showing so far
as feeding the men is concerned. This
being the case. the inspecting officer,
after finding things in good shape,
send favorable report to heRdquar.
termastsrs, telling how we'll we live,
and possibly at night on the same day
We get scarcely any thing to eat |
knew that to be the cass at Camp Tun
nell once. On one occasion, when the
mess was inspected, we had most ele-
CANT dinner, even to rics pudding for
| dessert, and q special lot of coffee, il
seemed, had been purchased for the
occasion. The reason ] think 10 Is
because we never had any as good be-
fore and have not bad any "a good
since. The inspecting officers came
along and said we lived splsndidly.
That night we did not get scarcely
anything to eat and the next day the
cooking was lack in the came old
rnt. F."
One night early in the present week
the members Of some of the companies
were agreeably surprised by having
chicken potpie for supper.
There is a place iu Harrisburg callec
the soldiers rest" where soldier,
who visit the city are welcomed sno
given food II they desire it. A few
days ago a Delaware soldier stopped
there and while be was registering hi
name, somebody connected with th,
place noticed where he was from Ant
remarked: "Oh,y you are from the frs
Delaware. Come In and get something
to eat, for you must be nearly starved. >
He went in., The place IL provided
with newspapers. magazines and othe
literature and is very comfortable ant
gives soldiers who visit the oity an op
portunity to rest as well as get some
thing to eat.
1t is understood that Col. Wicker
sham will return to his home in Viii
mington In a few days. His succssso
has not been selected.
A s LpIERs' REST.
A Wilmingtonian who 10 visitin
Harrisburg, In letter written to
relatiys in this city, says:
THE ladios here have q Soldiers
Rest. and | have been at it nearly a
the time that have been here. NJ
ouusin helongs to it, and go over Wit
her. This house IL on Walnut stree
In the lower rooms, the soldiers rea
and write. The house contains piano
and the soldiers play and sing. Th
soldiers can 60 out in the yard an
obtain a meal free. On Thursday,
made riches, and we fed 6
soldiersf The soldiers are grateful
, and SONS Insist on paying fnr the
9 meals. Ons Delaware soldier was hei
on Thursday. Upstairs, the soldier
can wash and take a nap. Yesterda
: was my Cousins day. SO We were at til
T; Rest all day.
I NOW, am coming to the importar
/ part of my letter. Don't you want
send me either money, bread, cold mea
: tea, sugar, cream, frrit OF almost an,
I thing? Remember we feed the Deli
q ware soldier hoys, too. and don
think We ought to let the Harrisbui
. people do ali of il. IL is a fsarfl
9 drain on the town to feed all tt
soldiers. Down at camp they only q,
hard tack and bean soup. Do sund n
something, and ask your friends. =
A MOTHER VISITS THE CAMP.
, Editor The Gnzette: Permit n
: space in your paper to inform Il
public who are concerned abnut oil
: Delaware boys, especially those mothc
J who have sons almost starving az
kept guarded like prisoners at Can
!. Meade. In regard TO exuggerating, Of
boys tell the truth. Their food h
v been soant and what they say abo
0 the colored soltiisrs having plenty
: true. When we arrived at Camp Meai
Q station ON Monday l approached u &C
n ored soldier and asked where the De
. aware Volunteers were located. ATT
d directing me otfereu him some Han
}, wiches. lie refused and said THAI