The San Francisco call., 1898-05-24

sounding through the camp awoke the men, from what may be for years their last sleep upon the Presidio reserva- tion, and, indeed, many were awakened from their last slumber on American soil, for in the decrees of fate it cannot be that of the brave band that marched away yesterday all will return. Hard
 ly had the notes of the trumpet died
 upon the early morning air before the camp took on an aspect of life and an- imation Around headquarters the of ficers were busy getting their personal effects packed, while in the company
 streets the soldiers were engaged in getting their haversacks packed, their blankets rolled up and their canteens filled with water. This was the work of but a few moments and then the loading of the camp equipage on large drays was begun and completed in twinkling.
 At 5:3O the call for breakfast was sounded and the men and officers alike fell to with hearty zest. Despite the attempted gayety of all, there was general depression that made itself felt from the colonel down, and the meal was not jolly one. There was no disguising the fact that all seemed to realize the great and impending grav- ity of the task that they had under taken. but there was no tagging, no desire to turn back; only the men man. ifested, as all brave men do, who un-
 dertalxe to defend their flag, the ap- preciation of the uncertainty of fate.
 By o'clock a large crowd had gath
 c,tof f-t
 when 6:35 o'clock the general call for striking camp sounded and the white
 tents fell, the crowd cheered, while from the camps of the Seventh ana l Sixth regiments came back counter
 wave of honest lung power that at
 tested the good will and wishes Of the less fortunate soldiers, who live Tn the daily hope that their summons 10 the
 front may come without delay. Com
 pany E won the $5 prize for being the l first company to fold up their tents
 It was exactly 10 minutes after
 when Colonel Smith gave the order to 1 his majors to form their battanons, and few minutes later he emerged | from his tent and handed to the color sergeant of Company B the stand or coIors that were presented to the regl- ment by the Chamber Of Commerce. This was the signal for the regiment
 to begin it's march, and the First, un- der Ma1cr Boxton, filed from the camp
 for regimental formation. Then fol- lowed the Second, under Major Slime, while Major Tilden closed in upon the left with the Third. As soon as the
 formation had been completed, Colonel Smith gave the order to march, and the soldiers, with measured tread and steady swing. passed out of the gate of the Presidio, at exactly 20 minutes to & The crowd cheered, hats were thrown in the air and the women waved their handkerchiefs and small flags. while as a last word of parting and a token of comradeship, there came from the soldiers that were left behind three rousing cheers that made the welkin ring.
 Along Lombard street the coming of the regiment was announced by the blasts from many whistles, while the crowd that lined the sides of the streets cheered and cheered, until the vast wave of human voices. like a sea of 1 mighty sound, rolled along in advance of the tramping column. Several halts were made to rest the men, who were 1 in heavy marching order. At every | stop some one would rush from the | crowd to clasp the hand of soldier l