The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-16
HERE UNTIL NEW YEARS.
THE STAY OFF GEN. LEES CORPS
LIKELY TO BE PROLONGED.


Away In November - The Early
Coming of the Signal Corps and
Its Duties - Provost Marshal Maj.
Russell u. Harrison Expected To-
day - Commissioners Refused TO
Build the Track-PrOgress OF the
Camp Arrangements.
1t is not q all improbable that the troops
Of Gen Fitzhugh Lees Seventh Army
Corps may remain in Savannah until Jan.
]. or somewhere about that time. Some
of the corps staff officers who were here
the other day seemed of this opinion, and
one of them said while il was the intention
of the government to get them off for
Cuba by Nov. 10. or thereabouts, he did
not think 1t would be possible TO do so.
Savannahians can count on the troops
being here for at least six weeks or two
months, and with all the necessary ar
rangements to be made the time Is very
apt to be longer. Gen. Wade's division
is scheduled to go to Cuba before the Sew
enth Corps, and so far no final bsepara-
tons have been made for sending It. So
Savannah VIII get the full advantage Of its
soldiers, and a good big crowd of them
too In making their arrangements here
10 get land and warehouses, some Of the
officers said the use of the property would
no doubt be needed until Jan. l, and so
far everything seems TO bear out this
idea.
The signal corps Of Gen. Lees command.
one OF the most important features OF
such an army, will probably be here early
Tuesday to arrange It's part Of the work
IN connection with the coming of the men.
This corps will be encamped just east of
the city, not far from the crossing of
Henry street and the Waters road.
The signal corps in such a body of
troops consists of a company of ffty-fve
men, exclusive of officers, and everyone
of them is an experienced telegraph oper-
ator Many OF these have been in the ser
vice OF the telegraph companies and of the
Associated Press. Not only must they
be good telegraph operators, but they
must have some knowledge OF the laws
of electricity and its uses, and they must
also become expert In signalling. Their
drills, therefore, are quite different from
those of the ordinary soldiers, and their
duties are such that they are kept busy
pretty near all the time.
The early coming of the signal corps
means that arrangements for Geographic
communication between the division and
brigade headquarters, and Gen. Lees head
quarters VIII be made Ia advance of the
arrival of the army corps. The members
of the corps must look regularly after
these telegraph lines and see that they are
kept in good repair. There is much work
ia
ready IN advance and there viii be plenty
for il TO do all the time the soldiers are
here.
Many of the members of the signal corps
are wen up in engineering and the sciences,
and are ready for almost any work they
may be called on to do. They practice sig
mailing constantly with all the forms of
instruments usually provided for this pur-
pose. so it can be seen how important their
branch really Is, especially in time of bat
tie
Maj Russell B. Harrison. who has
charge of another interesting and impor-
tant feature of the camp, the provost
guard, is expected in Savannah to-day As
provost marshal of the corps, Maj. Harri-
son has done some remarkably good work
at Jacksonville, and has greatly benefited
the discipline and good order of the corps
Mai. Harrison is the son of Ex-President
Benjamin Harrison. So we'll has his work
been done, il is said, that he has been spok-
en- of prominently for provost marshal of
Havana on the arrival of the troops there
He is strict with the men, but impartial
as between men and officers, when he
finds them violating regulations, not even
hesitating to send majors Snd captains to
their quarters when necessary to prevent
any disturbance. and these things make
him generally liked throughout the corps.
Maj. Harrison has had many queer ex-
periences. He is consulted on about
every subject under the sun, and
counter very peculiar testimony. Stolen
property is sought for through his de-
partment. Complaints are made against
soldiers, the location of regiments is want
ed. and a thousand and one matters are
brought to his attention. Harrison is
good reader of men. and his success is due
largely to his tact in handling those with
whom he is brought into contact.
One of the funniest arrangements of the
major is his prescription" for SOLDERING up
hard "drunks." A huge shower bath fix
ture IS arranged. where a man can be held
in a sitting position and doused with cold
water. When a drunk is brought in he
Is taken to this seat. If able to sit up all
right; If moi, dozen willing hands hold
him. If he is fighting drunk, it makes no
difference-only a few more TO hold him in
position, for the prescription" he must
take
Az a signal the water is turned on. For
moment the drunk. perhaps. doesn't
mind 1t, then he squirms, gets mad and
fights. But it's no use. lie has to take
his medicine. Il sobers up man wonder
fully. The worst case is generally cured
IN a few minutes.
The other night while Maj. Harrison was
at the post Texan was brought in, Just
drunk enough TO feel funny He knew of
the shower bath and had felt it before.
He was ordered up to it, and marched
along, grinning at the attending soldiers.
Harrison was standing by il, clothed in
spotless white duck Uniform
The blk Texan waited a moment. and
then, selling his opportunity, caught the
hose and turned il fun on Harrison In
moment the major was drenched by the
cold hu!d. He was amazed, but began
laughing after the first shock
The big Texan solder shouted with elee
and said: "Hc-major-thats a d-d-hic-
thing. aint-hic-it?" The soldiers all
Joined In the general laugh at the majors
expense. The soldier got his dose too
but he seemed to enjoy it, chuckling TO
himself over the trick played on the ma