The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-18
KANsANs IN GOOD SHAPE.
Congressman Ridgley Writes of a Visit
to the Twenty-Second

Congressman RidgIey Of the Third dis
trict, writing to John W. BreidenthaI,
says:
Z visited our Twenty-second regiment
at Camp Alger last Sunday. 1 found
Colonel Lindsey and his staff costly quar-
tered in their tents, in close proximity to
their regi ment, each company of which is
in Hrst class condition; the men are COM
fortably quartered in good, clean tents,
on nice rolling ground; the entire camp is
as neat and clean and nicely laid out as
a healthier set of men, Of equal number,
antee that the regiment win outweigh any
regiment in the camp The boys are now
fully equipped, well drilled, and in every
way ready and eager for active service on
colonel Lindsey, Lieutenant Colonel
Graham. Majors Harvey and Doster, Ad-
JutanT A1len, surgeons Stewart, Duncan
ana re Nlednan t9uartermaSte Lamb
and Chaplain Biddison are all on hand,
etIlu s = oil5 u them HIIlng lneH re-
sponSlbIe posItIons with perfect e1hcIen>sy
and honor, while the company officers and
pearance ana acton that IN the short time
they have been acting soldiers they have
partlcular. Inc regiment mas won the
highest compliments from the generals in
command anu the IsVOIaple comments OF
the enure camp ana al! who visit them.
In all of the various military drills. bat
tie maneuvers, marches, skirmishes and
sham hght1ng they are equal to the best.
THE report that the Twenty-second
Kansas had been dropped out of the bri-
gade and left behind, when the balance
went to the front, because of the inef5-
cheney of its officers and men, is ALSO
lutely false To the contrary, the regiment
is still brigaded with the same regiments
as first organized, including the crack
New York Third, and is accredited by their
superior officers as being equal to the best
regiment in their brigade of the camp,
having WOnSmany complimentary remarks
from the generals in command. DR.. De
Niedman has been promoted upon his own
record and merit, to the office of brigade
surgeon, with the rank of major. Two of
the privates of the regiment have already
been selected for their superior qualifica-
tons and promoted to duty at the gen.
erals headquarters.
I take pleasure in making these state
mentS to you, and assure you that. as a
Kansas soldiers. Having served three
years as an active soldier in our last war,
beginning as raw recruit, with a regi-
ment of like kind, working our way up
through all the experiences that our Kan
SaS boys are now having. I feel competent
to judge of the facts and of the merits of
the officers and men of the Twenty
ment, 1 have no fears but what the Twen-
tieth and TWenty-first are also well pre-
pared to win laurels for themselves and
our state.
The boys here are more than eager to
go to the front and begin active work
against the Spanish enemy, and it is fully
expected that this desire will be gratified
ed there. But I must not weary you
with more at this time I really wanted
to speak from personal knowledge, in con-
tradictiOn of some reports which. under
stand, have been put in circulation against
our Kansas soldiers at home, knowing
in the universal pride and confidence in
our soldier boys