New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-03
WE ARE OFF TO THE WAR. y
ITO FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY AND YOU,
DEAR"
WHEN THE 18TH UNITED STATES lNFAN
Try crAprrn TILT Front

WHEN THE 18TH UNITED STATES lNFAN-
TRY STARTED TO THE FRONT
The special duties and trials OF women in reia-
ton 10 warfare have not changed In any particular
with all the advance in modern military engines OF
destruction which are 10 make the taking Of HE
more merciful. or with the philosophical diplomatic
manuHvres tending TO avoid the necessity OF using
them. When nations send out their armies against
each other. women still have tho hardest parts
assigned them. the role Of waiting. and giving M.
and being left behind
This is what the women whose husbands and
cons belong to the 18th United States Infantry feel
as they walt in their homes on Governors Island.
expecting hear that to-day or tomorrow or az
any hour. the troops in whom they are most inter
ested are ordered to cuba. For nearly eighteen
years have some Of these women been together.
and the regiment has seemed like one big family
Mrs Gilman has been the longest in the Service
having gone out bride 10 Fort Wngate New
Mexico There she and several Of the others lived
the eight years the 18Th remained in that place
Then they moved out TO Indian Territory and
were six years there and have been almost
four years on Governors Island few have died.
and brides have. from time TO time come 10 swell
the number. There are two now on the island
Mrs. Ely Is one and Mrs. Gose whose husband Is
nearly recovered from the illness that prevented his
leaving NewYork with the rest Of the company Is
only girl. being but seventeen years OF age
To a visitor on the island yesterday these bravo
women showed a cheerful front. although anxiety
Is with them. Every morning their greetings
10 each other not "Goodby." but What does
your telegram say" for their daily mail IS in the
form OF kilograms from their husbands waiting AZ
Tampa for marching orders
They expect TO hear that the 18th Will take the
lead when the invading Army enters cuba. and
their fears for those dear to them not ground
Less 1t is the vanguard Of an army that suffers
most in carving The way for the victorious esons
considers No y her lucky ngm6er ana ieoag4 Sae
.e, her little born 4 thirteenth day
Of the month. and she has found this number IN
other ways fortunate
Mrs Cecil. who was so severely hurt by fail
The day the regiment left Is much better, al
has not recovered from all the many bruises 4
w.rk ago ne marching oTdeTs cane cane, ana IL was a
resigned 20 their duty that saw the departure OF
I ana o. under to the Of Lieu
cnT %6oss M a s 9gUs IN Mnson S g. nns'
The womea, who are eft behind II the lonely
houses officers Row. now called widows Row,
arc Mrs F. j. Ely Mrs. l. 5 McAlexander Mrs.
Just as the troops were ready 10 march from no
commssary Mrs Cecil thought OF one other article
20 get It for him. In her hurry she did not SEQ
en- open hatchway IN the floor. and fell through II.
70 walt when the command to 'march was given.
s M sa os 9a 15 ns 70 d & eoodby
was compelled 10 20. leaving the island without any
nyed Word was sent 10 him as speedily as posi-
bic. but MS departure rendered even sadder
than II would otherwise have been
out 10 the Old 'nne rhe oiirl Left Behind Me
Company F is commanded by Captain James For
nance with Iieutenants McAlexander and Fuger;
sn ssnoId ana Thrsked and company
BY Captain c. r. Cecil. with Lieutenant Fly: the
third officer Of this company being left behind be
AS Company y fell into line. Captain cectrs nttle
daughter. Rosehe. who had been missing some
time before when the first goodbys were being
.sd. stole out Of the house and as the men h"san
rs Military discipline forbade his even looking at
father but. cnsnS S to f his hand aecommoda5ed
ner footsteps TO The stride OF the men ana marched
whore the boa, Law then dropped the captains
hand turned and fed up tho hin and home. sobbng
The command fled on board the Pennsylvania
Annex boat. which, to the strains OF Aud Lang
cheers and gooibys She shouted from the shore As
he boat 60, well out into the liver it met the san
francisco going up to the Navy YARD ana mere
The men and baggage were transferred from tho
Annex TO a special train which took them south
the last fareweis said to mothers. sisters.
sweethearts and wivcs But there were no tears
The women who cried stayed behind
gave them up TO the So INT G" sHe
GO not expect sec them again in his world-or
a. least (, a chance in a thousand II we doolor
engaeement' and we all know What that means.
me first are Towed down. and perhaps ne next IN
low. But we were determined that no sadness or
ss should dishearten them as they ,tar'ea out h.r
Roy on knelt down on the platform IN ne ne Ta r
sln 70 take him in her care but she shcd no tcafs
There thoroughly Disguised man iett pc
hind. This was Lieutenant GOse. when ready 10
embark with the others. end having maze ms
sdieus 10 his father and mother, who hhd come
rom Illinois 10 their son, he was Sunpehy
,aken with the measles. and never was ms disease
haiIed with much Joy by the women ioI1s.
Lieutenant Gose is improving rapidly. but his WIRE
Is not encouraging any undue haste ana tees ,n1'
great caution IL necessary in treating ne pa'isri
II Is possible, however that Lieutenant ,,ose VIII
Join his company this week. Meantime Mrs dose
silently envied by every woman who was ief'
behind
Lieutenant Donovan. who has been on on s'ck tx
leave. relinquished his privilege and returned 20
the island on Friday to pack up his belongings ana
get his field outfit together. preparatory 70 joining
his regiment. the Nst Infantry. at Tampa =,
Captain and Mrs. Ayers. TOO, are almost l I%auy
70 leave the island. The captain goes 10 Wasn,i,nb
ton on duty and Mrs. Ayers and her mother Mrs
Rodman. will spend the summer in California. h.,
Two batteries OF artillery Rave temporarily tahch
the place Of the troops that have gone they are
Battery r. Of the 9Th Artillery. Under CaPtalI
Lorna. and Light Battery G. OF the 18th Artlr,eIy
unde- Captain Iemly and Lieutenant Brady, three rec
troops from David's Island now occupying tns
barracks vacated by the boys who have marcheo
fpa frc