Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-06-11
LETTER NO. 4.
CAMP MERRrTT, Bay DISTRICT,
SAN FRANCISCO, May %. &c.

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DEAR NEws:-Imperial Rome In
the days when the eagles were victo-
rious In every battle, never saw in the
camp Of Mars grauder display OF sol
dtery than San Francisco Witnessed To-
day in the marching professions 70 the
cemetery 70 pay tribute 70 the memory
OF the country : departed heroes.
Uniformed police, @. 4. r Organiza-
tons. regular ard volunteer soldiers of
infantry, caTalry and artillery, civic
orders with gay uniforms ana fanci-
fully caparisOnsd horses. boy=' brig
sdes, each organization preceded b
brass BANDS, formed parf of the pic
lures presented IN the procession. The
sidewalks we're TOO much crowded for
one 70 move against the tide. Every
point OF observation was taken and par
ties watched the procession from the
tops 81 sizs eight and ten story build
lngs- San Francisco being garden Of
foEers, the honored dead sleeps under
z covering q roses and sweet scented
flowers tonight OF the great number
N tne procession to-day how many will
be sleeping In the biyonae Of the dead
next Mays a brave officer. . heroic
private may be Of the number: may be
sleeping on = foreign isle where the
sE2snI1g. surging waves viii east their
spay upon his shallow grave.
By the time this letter reaches Won
the First Idaho Volunteers will be
equipped, armed and ready TO sail
away. They are receiving supplies to
day, uniforms, shoes, shelter tents. etc.
and to-mOrroT they look for ordnance
and ordnance stores: after these come
marching orders, and then away across
tne sea The ocean was ugly to-day.
We saw the white caps Of the frothing.
foaming waves chasing one another as
II ID anger from the sweeping winds.
Col Jones paid his respects to Major
General Merritt to-day, and had a most
pleasant interview. The General en-
CURED after his command, its numbers,
condition, ETC., and the Colonel was
pleased 70 give him information in de-
tail he told him he had practical
maehfnists who could build railroad.
and locomotive and run it after It was
built; ne had bridge men who could
construct bridge or pontoon; he had
practical miners who understood its
uses and handling of dynamite; he had
telegraph operators and cowboys who
could ride bucking cayuse or an nm
bridled government mule, and every
man OF the $50 officers and men could
read and write but one, and he was
studying hard TO do that before reach
ing Manila. The General said: well.
Colonel, that is a useful command to
take along" To this the Colonel said:
General, want to go on the next
boat, but part of my men are nm
armed and without uniforms, | wish
you would hurry them, that / NAV be
ready" In the evening the uniforms
were delivered and the arms are ex-
pected to follow tomorrow. The Idaho
boys will not be overlooked in single
particular.
The ladies OF the city and many old
Idaho gentlemen continue their good
works In administering TO our wants
and comforts. Many of them call every
day and as sailors say come s'loaded to
the guards" Mrs. Boomer formerly of
Boise but now of this city has been
named by the Colonel: .sThe Califor-
mia Mother of the Regiment" and today
ne instructed the guards TO admit her
totne eDcampment at any point, through
the gates or TO allow her TO climb the
fence II she 30 desired. She Is a true
mother in attention to the sick and pro-
vides every comfort her ingenuity can
suggest.
Tell the fathers and mothers OF the
brave boys they have given US that we
are rapidly converting them into true
soldiers, and when the time for battle
comes we hope to send them such re-
ports OF their gallantry on the field
that they will be thrice proud OF their
gifts to the state and to the country.
The command is In excellent condition.
full OF enthusiasm and eager TO embark
and sail away to the land where the en-
envy boasts Of his strength and his pow
er. II friends would send presents to
the boys, or IL they wish to write to
them, let it be done quickly. We know
not the hour when orders TO break camp
may come.