The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-25
The Wasp Will Join Flying Squadron,
but the New York Not Yet Ready
TO Leave Navy Yard.
SUNDAY At CHICKAMAUGA
FULLY $4,000 PEOPLE VISIT THE
GATHERING TROOPS IN CAMP.
The Army Now Moving from All Sec
tlons of the Country for the Diff
ferent Rendezvous Points.

FORT MONROE, April "a, on board the
hagGhip Brooklyn.-For strategic purposes
and for the protection of information that
might be of value TO the enemy Commodore
Schley, Of the flying squadron, has estab-
.llsheds IL Ba1saetical censorship over those in
his command relative to the fiivulging of
the reason for any movement made or to
be made by the squadron or individual ships
of the squadron. To more fully carry out
that plan of protection to government inter
ests only commanding officers are made
aware of such movements, and the re-
sponsibility is thus minimized. 1t is for
these reasons that the actual destination
of the Minneapolis and Columbia is merely
a matter of newspaper conjecture. The
actual mission of the big cruisers has not
and will not be made public, the Navy De-
partment, Commodore Schley and the COM
manders of the vessels being the sole pos
SCISSORS of information the subject
The conjectures as to the object for which
Commodore Schley ordered them to sea last
night are many. Protection of the steam
ship Paris, assistance to the battle ship
Oregon, capture of Spanish gunboats and
convoy for the transport Panther, now at
Hampton Roads, are some of them. The
latter theory is partially discredited be-
cause the Panther, with her human freight
OF nearly 200 officers and marines, lies in
safety with the remaining ships of the
squadron off Fort Monroe, and evidently is
in no hurry TO move. AS a matter of fact,
the Panther itself has some protection, be-
ing pretty we'll aTmored, with eight rapid
fire guns which could be used effectively
All of the zoo men on board of her are in
excellent condition, no patients occupying
the sick bay.
The departure of the Columbia and Mime
apolis last night created great deal of
excitement, but demonstrated in what fine
condition all of the vessels of Commodore
Schley's squadron are. From the time the
signal was made on the flagship to the time
the Minneapolis went by on her way to
sea was less than an hour, and the Column
bia followed in a few minutes. When the
multitudinous duties to be performed, after
an order to put to sea is given, are con-
sidered, thoroughness of discipline and
capability of men are in splendid and prac-
tical e' ldence
Sunday here passed very quietly. The
Maryland naval reserves who are to man
the Yosemite ana Dixie arrived by boat
early this morning.. The two converted
boats will be ready in day or two. being
at the Newport News yards under improve
the Brooklyn they cheered heartily.
The Sioux, a converted tug under COM
mand of Lieutenant Gherardy, and which
mounts several rapid-fre guns, left this aft
ernoon and the men on the Brooklyn gave
her hearty cheer as she passed out
The hospital boat Solacs left Newport
News for Norfolk, where she will take on
medical stores.
Tonight the precaution was begun of put
ting out a patrol fleet of steam cutters
fully equipped to fight and to give warning
If an enemy approaches.
The work of strengthening the fortifica-
tions at Fort Monroe continued all day with
a large working force, as did also the work
of laying mines in the harbor. Where the
old eight and teA-inch converted rifles used
TO stand will be mounted the battery of
modern rapid-fire guns, which are expected
70 command Hampton Roads and Chesa-
peake bay and make it impossible for tor
pedo boat of the enemy to enter. These
guns, it is thought, viii be in lighting con-
dition by the end of this week The work
IS not confined TO the fort itself by any
means for active preparations for possi-
bic conflict are being made at the pines
Battery" and on the beach OF Chesapeake
bay, midway between this battery and the
fort. Here four new disappearing guns viii
he mounted behind breastworks Of the most
modern and substantial kind In addition
10 this the immense battery OF smooth-bore
guns are ready for use. and at range Of
one mile will prove terribly destructive.
At Willoughby Spit. opposite Fort Mon
roe, and which point controls the entrance
TO Norfolk. Newport News and the James
ard Potomac rivers. board Of naval Off
GERS has made an inspection with view OF