The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-22
Because of Its Long and Demon
alizing InactiOn
IN CAMP AT FRISCO.
Delay in Sending the Regiment
to Manila
Makes the Men Heartsick-Sick-
ness Greatly Increased.
CFrom the Special Correspondent of the
State Journal.)

in a volunteer regiment than was made
in the Twentieth Kansas the past three
days.
Kansas actually woke up and kicked
after lying dormant for weeks. To be
sure the kick was inehectual but it is to
the credit of the officials of the regi-
ment that it was made
The story Of the trials and tribula-
tions of the Twentieth Kansas since it
was organized would fill a volume but
it drank the bitter dregs to the very
bottom when it was compelled to move
on a vacant sand lot that the First
volunteer regiment of New York act
ually would not stay on any longer
than one night and a half day. Devoid
OF all vanishing or official frills this is
the truth.
The New Workers moved away from
the block in the morning and in the
afternoon the KanSans were safely To-
Gated on the same block and one block
away from where the troops were loca-
ted so long.
When the order was given at noon to
pack up and prepare to move joy was
depicted on every priVate'S cOunten-
ance, for it was hoped that we were
going to the Preside. But it soon be-
came nOised about that it was simply
transfer from one sand lot to another
equally as bad. The disgust with
which this announcement was received
was intense-language fails to describe
it,
For a time it looked as though the
troops would rebel and refuse to move.
Indeed the matter was seriously dis
cussed and several inflammatOry
speeches were made on the subject by
the men. The idea that Kansas should
be forced to occupy camp ground that
volunteers from New York refused to
stay on was an indignity that the pri-
Yates and many of the officers felt was
one that should not be endured. But
after a time the packing up process was
resumed and the men marched over and
pitched tents on the new patch of old
sand where for years previous racing
stables have stood and been occupied
A council of officers was held during
the day and it was decided to send for
the commanding officer of each COM
pany among the men and talk to them
The captains told the men that there
had been serious talk of mutiny and
that it must cease. They must brace up
and get over their inconsistencies and
not get discouraged. They must cease
their listIessness and try to be men;
that they would never get away other
wise, etc, etc.
They said that one reason Kansas
had not gotten away sooner was that
the sick list was too large and that
much of it was caused by going down
town and getting warm then riding
home and getting cooled off. But the
men are foolish enough to think that
possibly it was sleeping on the wet
sand or getting too hot on drill and
then being rushed home on double time.
by one of the officers is in substance as
follows:
Col. Funston and Major Rafter decid-
ed the sick list had grown too large
the sick calls being one day about 1877
and with about 80 in the hospitals. So
both officers made personal appeal to
Gen. Miller, officer in charge, for per-
mission to move to the Presidio. But
he told them that Kansas was brigaded
with a certain branch of the army and
could not be changed Besides Volun-
of wanted I'm the T1x
They might deface the property. OF
course the New Workers are not vOlun-
teers.
Then it was suggested that the troops
be moved to Oakland, but as equally
ready an excuse was found to prevent
any such move.
Again Major Rafter appeared before
Gen Miller and urged a change IN
vigorous manner. Gen. Miller suggest
ed that because Kansas hadn't been
sent away it was doing an unnecessary
amount of kicking. But the surgeon
showed him the sick list had grown out
of proportion to the men in the regi-
ment and that change was absolutely
necessary. It was given the Kansans
a choice of any other of the sand lots.
1t was thought that new sand would
be better and less apt to be infected
with disease germs than where the men
had slept so long. Hence the change
The men were given permission to floor
their tents with boards. But as they
have no boards and no money to buy
with the chances are InaL Lney wall
continue to sleep on the sand.
Col. Funston gave the men a long
talk at regimental drill recently. He
said the men were too careless in sa-
Iuting their superior officers and istlesS
in their manners and that they must
change their ways or they would never
get to Manila. That it was not fact
that the political influence of other reg
iments had FASTENED their departure.
It is said today that a chartered YES
sci was coming down the coast which
would at an early date carry the
Twentieth to Manila. But the men
have grown Indifferent to reports and
await their fate in apathy
Three new cases of measles broke out
in company E today.
The Catholic Truth society has been
sending out almost 1000 letters daily
for the sOldiers-that is furnishing the
stamps for them.
Since the moving of the camp the
men have been allowed to go in and
out of the gates between certain hours
without passes. The move is a popular
one and is being generally respected by
the soldiers returning on time.
Drill work lately has been excessive.
Saturday afternoon a general inspec-
ton was held by Brigadier General
King-the men in heavy marching or
der-the tents We're also inspected. Com
pany B again carried off the honors on
having the cleanest tent. Gen. King
told the officers to send their men
around to inspect The boys in that
tent held open house for an hour or
so.
Company A put on their best com
pany manners and decided to try for
the best line up. Away up the end of |
the row as Gen. King and Col. Fun
ston passed along was a trooper with |
unbuttOned blouse, half standing, half !
leaning against a post. ''Straighten up |
there and be a soldier, why amt you on |
for Inspection" exclaimed Gen. King