The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-19
SICK MEN At NKoFF
Camp Ready For the Veterans
When They Arrive.
VERY BADLY USED-UP LOT
But Only One Yellow Fever
Patient to Date.

have been during the latter days Of last
week, and whatever the fear OF being
caught unprepared the chiefs OF the de-
partments mar have had, The returned
veterans OF Skaters army-men Of the
Sixth. Third, and Thirteenth United
States Infantry 20 the number of twelve
hundred-pass ed last night in more COM
Portable quarters than they had known
since the bands played them off to Cnba
with when Johnnie Comes Marching
Nome" The sick from the transports
Gate City and Vigilancia were taken to
the general hospital in ambulances-no
man had to walk who felt unable-and
were given easy beds to lie on, and cool
pure water to drink, and palatahly cook
ed food, fresh and sweet, TO eat. The
sound were marched at easy pace to the
detention camps, and every man had ra-
tons and water in abundance, a blanket
to wrap around him, and a canvas roof
over his head. The landing of the troops
from the st. Louis and Miami to be made
today. will not be a greater tax on the
provisions made than they can bear. and
there is room and to spare in the hospit-
ais for thenumber reported sick. The
immediate arrival Of the transports how
ever, IS not hoped for, for should anything
unforeseen arise TO interfere with the work
now going on so satisfactorily, there
would be no little difficulty in disposing of
the men to the comfort 1t is aimed to
give them.
The trops from the Gate City-inspected
on Saturday and found to be free from
yellow-fever infection-were landed at the
quarantine dock yesterday morning at ten
o'clock. The precautions planned to keep
the men from intercourse with the SOL
diers and civilians at camp were not
effective. A picket line was drawn-at
a distance of fifty yards from the pier
from the beach TO the military road, lead
ing to the detention camp, and along this
line civilians, idle soldiers and many re-
cruits Of the Sixth, who mad been at
Montauk Point for some time, gathered
to see the veterans of the Sixth march
past. When the remnant of the regiment
stood in company formation, waiting for
the order to move, the end of the line was
within a yard of the quarantine limit
and IL was an easy matter to talk and
shake hands with them and listen TO
their spirited gossip. It was explained
later that there was no yellow fever
aboard the Gate City, and that the picket
line was rather strict adherence 10 the
rules rather than a precaution, but when
the sick were taken off in the afternoon,
there were two picket lines, twenty yards
apart, and there was no possibility of nav
ing a word with any one of them.
The men were brought to the dock on
the little excursion steamer Vigilant The
first man off carried two big valises and
gun and had a pack strapped to his
back. He, at any rate looked sturdy
enough. Before many others followed
him, the camp baggage was carried or
rolled from the boat to the army wagons
by the strongest men of the regiment
and carried off to camp. Then they all
filed out and formed into companies, and
the recruits sent up a scattering cheer,
The veterans gave no answer; but they
seemed to be pleased nightly, neverthe-
ISIS.
For Gods sake, get me something to
eat" cried one OF them to negro cav
alryman, at the same time throwing
money to him. ''Get it quick. I'm
starved
others, and American and Spanish money
was sent flying over the heads of pickets
Men who picked it up scurried off to the
restaurant and came running back with
arms full of sandwiches.
Whats the news" a bearded fellow |
called
Peace" some one answered; and a
weak hurrah greeted the announcement. /
Papers, all that the crowd had, were
handed over, and their reading was at
once begun. All were glad to know that /
the end of the war had come-glad, and (
surprised.
BY and by the order Attention. /
brought the men into formation again: /
and soon the line struggled off over the /
winding road over and beyond the hill .
to the detention quarters. Every man 1
had gun over his shoulder and a load /
on his back or in his left hand
The sick were landed In the early after
noon. The waters of Fort Pond bay were
hardly rippled. and the long yellow flag
was tapping against the staff over the .
quarantined house when the Vigilant f.
tied up at the dock Cases OF arms and I.
camp furniture were unloaded from the
boats lower deck by a detail OF strong
rlen before the first stretcfsr was car
ried ashore. The spectators were kept
beyond the second picket line. and could
see little more than the outline OF a
form as the stretcher-
bearers moved slowly toward the am6u-
iances- They were quite silent a this
time Some OF the women turned TO look
at the trim revenue cutters riding quietly
~. So ~ -
and and great transports and cleaning
sails beyond. whenever stretcher with
is passive burden was carried up the
yang-plank.
4 dozen ambulances drawn by army
mules, and followed by a colored cavalry
nan in guard. passed over the sandy
10 the general hospital. The picket al the
roadside, brawny colored trooper. could
see the men stretched cut within
Oh" Re said 10 the next il line. as
,ne passed, that's al officer" And they
both laughed II a startled SORT OF way. as
hough they had TO thought before that
3ftice-s could come 70 such . pass.
That's yellow-fsre-." said another. u
BET that's yellow fever He would rz.na-
cave been driving obstinate mules. four
= them. than standing n such near 7rox-
nifty % TIE dreaded enemy That ~zs
evident
'Ah wouldn't be tt fo'ty nile o Cuba.
$40. I wouldn't" said me n al OF ne
sther side OF TIE road-uot II a Joking
way. This fellow turned nls face ard
,el5 his breath as each ambulance passed
I'm
Two soldiers strayef from ire road
Z buildings about the station oas Vas
nan q large frame and 7stlabIy e;naci-
Ii He haa as h-a-ks. I'll -a-.-s ] .