The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-09
Special from a staff Correspondent.

Special from a Staff Correspondent.
Camp AIger. Va. July s.-The great
est sensation that has struck Camp
Alger since the Thirteenth came here,
was the rumor, persietently circulated
during the early morning hours. and
seemingly confirmed later in the morn
ing. by the appearance of the same
story in a Philadelphia pape:, to the
effect that the entire Third brigade, of
which the Thirteenth is a part, was to
be sent at once to occupy Honolulu,
Hawaii, to prevent any trouble from
European nations, when the United
States annexes the islands.
The rumor would not down, and even
the newspaper men thought there
must certainly be something in it, un-
til about noon, when both General
Goblin and General Butler, command
ing the division, stated with a great
degree of emphasis that it was fake,
pure and simple.
The men greeted the rumor, however,
with many evidences of JOY, and were
visibly disappointed when they were
assured later in the day that they
would not be sent across the Pacific.
General Goblin said that he would be
only too glad to receive such an order,
and could move his brigade within
twenty-four hours.
General Goblin has issued orders for
a two days march to the Potomac be-
ginning Monday morning. This is of
itself proof of the fallacy of the Ha-
waii story.
1t may be that the Pennsylvanians
will go to Hawaii eventually but the
chances at present favor their being
sent to Cuba. General Graham said
ficers of the First division that the re-
naming two brigades would follow the
Second, which is now enroute to San
tiago. Nothing positive, however, can
be said of these matters in advance
because War department plans change
with every wind. This much is GER
tain, the Third brigade is to be sent
away from here and will probably be
next to move.
A large number of school teachers
visited the quarters of the Thirteenth
during the day, and were greatly in
terested in the life under canvas. This
morning, the City troop, of Phladel-
phia, the Governors troop of Harris
burg, and the Sheridan troop, of Ty-
rome. Pa, arrived in camp from Mt
Gretna. They were given a cordial
welcome, especially by Troop A and
Troop C. of New York, who have been
here for some time.
The health of the Thirteenth con-
tnues excellent, and the men who are
in the hospital, both at division and
Fort Myer hospital, are reported i'm
proving rapidly.
This morning opened bright and fair
over the camp, and promptly at $50
O'Clock the whole drill field was alive
with bodies of soldiers from the differ
ent regiments, moving hither and
thither in company and battalion evo-
lutions. Skirmish drills are now prac-
tically superceding all others. and the
greatest care and attention are paid to
this particular kind of practice. The
sham battle has practically fallen into
disuse, and the blank cartridges which
were formerly employed for that pur-
pose are now used for firing in the skir-
mish drills. This is the daily routine
from which there is now little or no
variance.
Yesterday afternoon Lieutenant Cox
received from the Frankfort arsenal a
consignment of 24S scabbards for the
new Webb belt. These will be distrib-
uted at once. and it is expected that
In short time the remainder Of this
very important part of soldiers out
fit will be received.
The Scranton teachers have arrived
in Washington and have already be-
gun to storm the camp. They have
promised that they will be out in a
BODY tomorrow to see the Scranton
boys of the regiment, and to gladden.
their friends here by their presence
The boys have resolved to give them
royal welcome and to make their
visit here as pleasant as possihle
under all the conditions and convent
ences which camp life offers.
T. J. Duffy.