The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-07-02
WITH COMPANY E.
D0INGS OF THE SOLDIER BOYS
AT FORT MONROE.
A Number OF Recruits Added to the
Company This Week-IntereStin
Letter from the "Cecil Whig'S
Regular Correspondent

FORT MONROE. VA , July |, 1893.
The boys OF Company E., are very much
pleased that "Gen > Wade Hampton Parker
has taken the field in person, and to say they
gave him and their other OLD comrade in
arms, Dick Sharcr, royal welcome, is to put
it mildly. For the strict discipline failed
/ 10 hold them as the company marched into
its street after dress parade, and found who
had arrived. Before Captain Wright gave
the command to break ranks, they began to
salute the "Generaln and "Shorty Dick" in a
lively fashion, and in IL short time the two
old veterans were surrounded by crowd
that nearly took them off their feet
Those who had seen the parting ut Camp
Wilmer several weeks ago, could not help
thinking Of it, and rejoicing at the reversal of
things. But it is not necessary to tell Wade
and Dick that they are most welcome.
One does not have to he around Fort Mon
roe very long to realize that this country is
engaged in war. First there is the constant
watchIulncss on all sides. and the exclusion
of all citizens without passes from the fort.
There the coming and going Of the men-Of-
war-cruiscrs, torpedo 5oets and the latest
arrival, the ram Katahdin, all in their leaden
colored war coats, are reminder to soldier
and citizen alike.
But the departure for Santiago of the Mich
igan and Massachusetts troops, on the Yale
and Harvard, Uncle Sans largest vessels,
was the most warllke incident since the First
Maryland pat in an appearance.
Last Thursday morning about twelve hun
dred of the Michigan men reached here from
Washington. They disembarked. and were
marcted inside the fort, there to wait until
the hour for going aboard the Yale. More
than one corporal's guard was necessary
though to scour the surrounding neighbrr
hood in search of tie Michigandcrs as the
time for sailing arrived.
The equipment Of these troops was some
what different from that Of the MARYLAND
boys. Instead of knapsacks they put what
few clothes they carried inside Of a rol! made
up Of blanket. rubber pouch ana oue-hail OF
a shelter tent. This roll with the ends tied
together they carried over their shoulder.
Some OF the men OF Company E., when
they heard that shelter tents had arrived for
the First, thought they would bo just the
thiug.to live in, and hoped they would be
issued soon; but such opinions were rapidly
changed Saturday morning when the com
pany went to the quartermaster's department
to draw their first clothes from the United
States.
One of the tents had been pitched on the
| floor Of the store house, and attracted much
attention from the Cecil Countians, who de-
eide! that day tents" was the proper name
for them. They found them entirely differ
rnt from the III wall tents that have been
] their homes for more than two months, being
about rs high as Il mans waist. five feet long
and open at one end.
The boys wero disGusted, and soon turned
| to the new clothes that were to be given to
tnem, waiting patiently until called upon to
| sign their names to the requistion, and re-
ceive entirely new outfits.
| There was great need for many new things
too, as four weeks Of wind and wet weather
| at Camp Wilmer had made their effects very
noticeable before the First came to Fort
| Monroe.
The torrid heat has made life miserable for
every one, and the men have been at their
wits ends trying to keep cool, or rather not
| quite so hot. Sometimes the heat has been
sutfocating almost and then light breeze
would find its way in among the tents where
it would be heartily and noisily welcomed.
| 1t has been so hot that all drills except one
in the early morning, and dress parade at
night, have been discontinued.
MARYLAND.