Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-07-06

AT CAMP MERRITT.
An Interesting Letter About the DoinRs Of the
Soldier Boys.

| CAMP MERRITT, June %, 1889.
The lOng-looked-for paymaster put
was heartily welcomed. The soldiers
were paid from the day they left
home to go into camp at Helena to
the Both day of June. Our pay was
from May to June 80. Gold was
used exclusively except i'm making
change less than s., and new silver,
just from the San Francisco mint,
| was used for that. We do not re-
ceive any more pay until September,
which we expect to receive in Manila.
The assignment of troops for the
third expedition has not yet been
completed. Some say Montana will
go and some say that we will not
get away until the fourth expedition.
Gen. King told Col. Kessler last night
that he would soon be on his voyage
across the Pacific and wished him a
pleasant voyage. The officers who
are in position tn know say that all
the soldiers in Frisco will be ready to
leave inside of three weeks.
/, as well as several Others of Co. l,
have had the pleasure of going aboard
several of the transports during the
past week. About the finest one is
the City of Para, which is to take the
Thirteenth Minnesota
Major Hall, of Gen. Merritt's staff,
was out watching our regiment drill
Monday afternoon, and, / under
stand. reported to the general that
the First Montana was indeed fine
regiment-One of the best in camp.
The boys all swear by Capt. Pres
ton, and it seems m ore like a pleasure
than burden to do what he tells
them. Not a man has shown any
ton, We have had no trouble what
ever. The one exception was Corpo-
raj Eugene Abbott, who got drunk |
on duty last Friday and was reduced |
to ranks. Private Thomas Nelson
was appointed corporal vice Abbott.
Corporal Nelson is a gentleman and
a soldier, and was complimented a
few-days ago by Lieut.-Col. Wallace
as being one of the best men in the
regiment.
1t is the impression now that the
companies will be recruited up from
81 to LOG strong. In case this be true
there will be a chance for some who
were not prepared to leave on the
first call, but who are anxious to
join us. Montana men will, most
likely, be shown the preference.
Discipline is being more rigidly en-
forced daily, and if a man misses a
drill without being excused, which
excuse is usually a written one from
the doctor, there is but one result
the guardhouse by orders of the
means and are usually on hand when
the assembly blows.
There are two societies here whose
will long live in the hearts
of the soldier boys-the Red Cross
and the Catholic Truth societies.
They have headquarters at each regi-
mental camp and make daily rounds
to each company to see If any one is
sick, and nothing is left undone for
their comfort.
The parson-COrporal Pfaus-has
got SO he can take his little tin plate
and fall in line to get his share of the
bacon and beans, gravy, tomatoes
and molasses, all mixed together,
and say it is good. When it comes
to running the guard lines he is an
artist.
Frank Cavan, who failed to pass
the examina ton in Helena, but who
has been with us as cook, left few
days ago for LewistOwn. The CON-
pany regrets very much that Frank
was unable to stay with US.
VIM. Shugart has been transferred,
ut his own request, from the band
back to the company.
The ARGUS is always a welcome
visitor to Co. 1. 1t arrives here on
of each week, and the
boys say they can't keep house with
out it. T. d. BARTON.