Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-19
BADGER BOYS FIRST
REACH CHICKAMAUGA BEFORE
OTHER STATE INFANTRY.
REST SLATED FOR TAMPA
Regiment Now at Camp Harvey May
After All See Actual Service Be-
fore Other Wisconsin Troops
State Pays Off Each Soldier for the
Time He's Been in Camp.

Camp Harvey, May 1.-THE evident
destination of the first Wisconsin vol
unteers, Col. S. P. Schadel, which in
cludes four Milwaukee companies, will
be Tampa, Fla. So says Capt. Buck,
the military authority of the camp.
'"The war department has assigned
two Wisconsin regiments to Chicka-
mauga," said Capt. Buck, and one
regiment to Tampa. The two regi-
ments are already at Chickamauga, and
the first will undoubtedly be sent to
Tampa. The department would not
end one of the other regiments for
Iard from Chickamauga and have this
one take its place."
At Col. Schadel's headquarters there
was an air of confidence in the idea of
going to Tampa, and it appears to be
the general impression that the day of
departure is near at hand Capt. Buck
kinks that the regiment will be ready
to move about tomorrow or Thursday
and that the orders Will he to move as
soon as possible.
Travel and field rations have been or
dcred for the first regiment, which is
a confirmation of Capt. Bucks theory
that orders will soon follow.
Col. Patton, assistant adjutant gen
eral, was very happy over the record
made by the state in getting the first
equipped regiments of volunteers into
the camp of concentration at Chicka-
manga. Col Patton said: 1T is a
proud distinction for Wisconsin that
she was at the front with her troops
But one regiment reached Chickamau-
ga ahead of Col. Moore's third Wiscon-
sin, and that was an Ohio cavalry reg
iment which is without equipments.
Our regiment even started before that
one did from Ohio, but they were sew
eral hundred miles nearer and so
reached Chickamauga ahead of the
Wisconsin Toys. They we're not
equipped, while our regiment was fully
fitted out and ready to take the field
for active service. By Thursday the
first will be gone, making our full
/ uota within three weeks after the call
was made. No state in the union can
beat this record"
The first Wisconsin volun GERS now
hold possession Of the camp alone.
Col. S. P. Schadel is the post COM
mander and has full charge of affairs,
he state officials having returned to
Madison, their mission being ended
with the transfer OF the last regiment
into the hands Ct the federal govern
ment. Col Schadels men received their
pay from the state Monday.
When Cap Buck gave the order to
Company NJ Of the first, Saturday af-
ternOOn, to uncover and take the oath
of allegiance to the national govern
ment, one of the men failed to respond.
When called on by Capt. Vowel to step
out of the ranks, the man fell back a
few steps slowly and then turned and
ian like a scared deer, making straight
for the gate, through which he disap-
Peared, followed by the jeers Of his
comrades. Later in the day he was
observed to he shying round the quar-
tiers dressed in citizens attire and
some Of the men took after him but
he ran away. A detail was sent out
| by Capt. Vowel to obtain his uniform
and bring it back to camp, but as the
man had not been mustered in there
can be no penalty attached to his
freak except dishonorable discharge
from the national guard.