The times., 1898-11-11
TIE DISTRICT TROOPS
Preliminaries to the General
Muster Out.
REUNION FOR THE BOYS
War Talk Revived : Hnrdtnck.
'HOrse. and Suffering - Stories
About Starvation md Neglect
Two Weeks Before the Muster Out
Is Comprehensive Soldiers Happy.

For the first time since the command
left Tampa for Santiago, five months
regiment gathered together in body at
10 o'clock yesterday morning at the Cen
ter Market Armory.
There were those who had served in
Cuba, some from Porto Rico, a few from
the hospital corps of various army corps,
a number from the signal corps and many
who had been detailed on other duties
far from their regiment. There were
comrades who had been left in hospitals
York and Philadelphia, and many of
these were hardly expected to take their
places again in the ranks.
Yet there they were yesterday morning
and the big reunion was a round of hand
shaking, cheering and welcoming. Every
body was overjoyed at meeting everyone
else and the old hardships were expe-
rienced again in jest and story. Santiago
tobacco crumbs and hard-tack and Mon
tauk horse and disease were all tasted
once more, and the wonders of Porto
Rico were matched against the hardships
in Cuba.
The occasion was the muster-out of the
regiment and nearly every man on the
rolls responded to the order to report for
duty. But a few failed to answer the
roll call, and a score of these had an
swered the last roll call while serving
their country, These were the poor fel-
lows who succumbed TO disease and star
walton during the campaign.
Yesterday was devoted to preparations
for the big task of releasing the troops
from the service of the United States. The
process of mastering out the men will oc-
cupy about twelve days and the work
will be begun this morning.
About 10:30 yesterday morning the chat
ting groups were formed into battalions
in close order by companies. The first
sergeants then called the rolls and ac-
counted for each man. The companies
were then canvassed to discover how
many men wished to take advantage of
the offer of the Government and receive
free meals and lodging during the period
of mastering out. About $50 of the men
expressed their desire 10 do so.
After a few routine proceedings the
regiment was dismissed. The companies
were then marched to their respective
rooms, where the men signed the muster
out rolls, property accounts and other pa
pers, including a declaration of each man
showing whether he believed at the pres
ent time that he is suffering from the eff
fects of any wound. injury or disease, or
that he has any disability incurred while
in service or otherwise.
The men were then excused for the day.
They will report for meals at Z a. m. 1890
p. m. and $50 p. m. The men are fed at
various restaurants close to the armory
and sleeping places were provided at no.
| tells.
This morning the physical examination
of officers and men begins at o'clock
DR.. Presley Hunter is the examining
surgeon, and his reports Will be final evil
dence in future pension cases. Company
A will be mustered out today with the
regimental staff officers, the majors and
battalion adjutants and the members of
| the band
The companies will be mustered out In
| alphabetical order and 1t is expected that
| two companies can be handled each day.
| The real muster-out and dismissal will
| follow when all these preliminaries have
been concluded, when the regiment will
be mustered out in a body as they were
! mustered in. No one will be allowed 10
leave until this last ceremony has been
| performed.
Chief mastering officer McGunnegle
yesterday detailed four members of Com
pany A as clerks to assist in the muster
out. The clerks appointed are Sergt Nc
Naliy, Sergt. Gallagher, Corporal Duffy,
and Private Walsh.
Col. Harries was present at the armory
although very i'll. Capt. Theodore Mosher
the new lieutenant colonel of the District
Regiment, was also present.
Capt. W. H Alaire, Twenty-third Unit
ed States Infantry. has been commission
ed adjutant general of the District militia
Capt. John A. Dapray, Twenty-third
United States Infantry, has been appoint
ed inspector and instructor of drills OF
the District National Guard.