The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-15
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

camp MeaQe, MluuletOWn, fd', Sept.
14.-Major General S. b. NJ. Young, of
the United States cavalry, and the
hero of El Caney, with his right arm
bandaged and in sling, arrived here
this evening, and, on tomorrow morn
ing, will formally take command Of
the First division of the Second Army
corps. General Goblin will then relin-
quish his position as acting division
general and resume charge Of the Third
brigade.
A. Wilson Norris, the efficient adult
ant general of the Third brigade, is
today receiving heartfelt congratula-
tions from all his friends, as he has
just received his commission as cap
tain. He will continue to discharge
his duties as adjutant general of the
brigade.
The Two Hundred and Second New
York arrived this afternoon. When
the Fifteenth Minnesota, which is to
form the Third brigade with the Eighth
and Thirteenth Pennsylvania, reaches
here the First division will then be
complete.
A large consignment of heavy un-
derwear, new blankets and great coats
and capes for the Thirteenth has been
received. This looks like a probable
winter campaign in Pennsylvania,
rather than in Cuba or Porto Rico.
The Third battalion of the Sixteenth
Pennsylvania. in command of Lieuten-
ant Colonel Rickart, left here yester-
day afternoon for New York city,
where it will take shipping immediate
ly for Porto Rico, there in due time
to rejoin the First and Second battal-
ions. On the way TO the depot the men
We're cheered loudly by soldiers and
civilians, all of whom Joined in bid
ding farewell and wishing all kinds
of good luck to the boys in blue.
This is the first body of troops TO
leave this camp for duty abroad, and
now speculation centers on the ques-
ton "Who will be the next to go?"
1t is needless to say that the answer
would be particularly interesting to the
members of the Pennsylvania regi-
ments stationed here.
AS TO ABSENTEES.
The question of the probable punish
ment to be meted out to those men,
bers of the Thirteenth who left camp
without leave or authorization con-
tinues to be discussed with greater in
terest every day. The case of an alb
significant as it is generally supposed
to be, and, if any of those who are
away are acting on this principle they
will have a sad awakening. The mill
tary law on this point is plain and de-
cisive. Colonel Coursen and the cap
tains of the different companies, from
which men are absent, are saying very
little in regard to this, but, If indica-
tions fail not, they are determined tc
leave no doubt as to their position
when the absentees return.
The thirty-second article of the "Ar'
ticles of War" runs as follows: Amy
soldier who absents himself from his
troop, battery, company or detachment
without leave from his commanding
officer, shall be punished as a court.
martial may direct" The punishment
spoken of, and which it is lawful for q
court-martial to inflict, is absence
without leave for more than two to ter
days, inclusive, $40 fine. ten days con
finement at hard labor. and reduction
to the ranks if the offender be non
commissioned officer.
If the man be absent for more thar
ten and up to and including thirty day!
he is liable to a fine of $40 one month!
confinement at hard labor, and reduc
tion to the ranks in case of a non
commissioned officer.
This, however, is not the most seri
Gus view of the case. Article AZ reads
ANY officer, or soldier, who, having
received pay, or having been duly en-
listed in the service of the United
States deserts the same, shall, in tim,
of war, suffer death or such other pun
ishment as a court martial may direct
and, i'm time of peace, any punishment
excepting death, which a court mar
tial may direct" The tenor and eff
feet of this are quite plain, and as ;
supplement to 1t follows Article As
Every soldier who deserts the servic
of the United States shall be liable L
serve for such period as shall, with tn
time he may have served previous t
his desertion. amount to the full tern
of his enlistment; and such soldie
shall be tried by a court-martial an,
punished, although the term of his en-
lstment may have elapsed previous t
his being apprehended and tried"
TEN DAYS THE LIMIT.
Under the Articles of War" a ma,
becomes deserter technically speak
ing, when he is absent, without leave
the days of his going and of his re
turning being both included in thi
compilation. In order to make thi
point more practical, let us take a con
crete example. On Wednesday, Sep
Z, the Thirteenth regiment was paiC
and on the following day men began I
go home without leave. So, therefor,
a soldier who left camp on THURSDAY
Sept. s, must report here before mex
Saturday in order to prevent himse
from being considered deserter an
liable TO the punishment above ind
Gated by the Forty-seventh and tn
Forty-eighth Articles of War
1t is not known what, II any, actio
is contemplated for the apprehensio
and punishment of the absentees; bu
It is generally supposed that a shar
eye is kept on themselves and on a
their doings at home.
Many of the men of the Thirteent
are quite indignant at the report
printed in the Philadelphia papers
the effect that those in camp are sin
ply awaiting a favorable opportunit
to leave camp and go home. This
certainly libel on the regiment an
contains not one particle of truth.
first gives the impression that the me
are anxious to make a break for iii
erty, and intimates that II is only II
extraordinary vigilance of the sentrlC
which keeps the men in line. This
not the fact. Those of the Thirteent
who wanted to go home so badly hay
gone home; those who did not are sti