The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-26
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Camp Alger, Dunn Loring, Va,
Aug. 25.-It would require mind with
a myriad phase to 1t to reflect the ru-
mors which at times gain credence
here, and to fully appreciate the
changes Of feeling which from hour
10 hour take place in the hearts of the
men. 1t is almost cruelty to those who
are camped here to keep them in sus-
pense much longer, and 1t is to be
hoped that the war department and the
board of officers who will be appointed
to muster the men out will see the
Justice of settling this question defin-
itely. At present everything is In
doubt and there Is no possible means
of arriving at the truth.
The work of mastering out will un-
doubtedly be begun before long. The
mastering out officers have not yet
been selected by General Goblin. There
are only a few officers of the regular
army present, Majors Wright, Strong
and Butler and Captain Brooks, and of
course under the orders and instruc-
tions received from Adjutant General
II. c. Corbin these will have the pre-
ference. AS there are six officers asked
for this will necessitate the selection of
two volunteer officers, which selection
is to be made with the greatest care
and circumspection. Capable men will
be chosen, and General Goblin is now,
very likely, exercising his wits in maxi
ing mental choice of those who are
to help him in the performance of this
important duty. In speaking of this
matter yesterday General Goblin em-
Nl,np he nTt hot In hnG pCri.
ments to be mustered out every man
must be strictly accounted for. The
list of sick men, the diseases from
which they suffered. and the causes of
their Illness must be accurately record
ed; and all men who are absent either
on leave or as practical deserters with
out leave, are to have their names re-
turned in the proper way. This is to
be carried out fully so as to leave no
chance in the future for unjust, unde-
served pension claims against the gov
ernment.
SENTIMENT CHANGED.
There is no doubt now that the war
is practically over and talk of being
mustered out has spread throughout
the camp, that the general sentiments
of the men are changing. AT first,
even after the signing of the protocol,
and down to the very day when the
papers announced that the work of
mastering out several of the regiments
would be begun soon, not word of
complaint was heard, or an express
sion tending to show any desire on the
part of the men to go home; but it is
different now. No sooner was there a
prospect of getting home than the de-
eli, 10 or and
stronger. The men felt that they had
been cooped up here long enough. and
they now see nothing better before
them. The First Connecticut took a
vote on the question yesterday, and
with a surprisingly large vote eX-
pressed themselves as being in favor
of a discharge. The Third Virginia is
of the same mind, and so is the Eighth
Pennsylvania. 1t must be said that the
same is decidedly true of the Thr-
teenth. The men are in a quandary.
They prided themselves on their super
iority to every other regiment in the
old National guard, and still they have
been condemned to these camp grounds
for months. There is nothing before
them now to arouse their ambitions;
they are listless, disspirited, and as
many of them see no cause for which
they should continue to make further
sacrifices, they are emphatically-the
great majority of them-in favor of GO
ing home.
There is still a strong suspicion that
Camp Alger will yet be abandoned for
Camp Meade, at Middletown. The Sec
ond division continues by degrees to
get away from Thoroughfare Gap
and will soon be in Pennsylvania. Gen
eral Graham is of the opinion that
Middletown is a good place for a camp
and believes that it can easily accom-
modate the entire corps. This is showr
by the following telegram, which was
sent by him yesterday to II. c. Corbin
adjutant general of the Army of the
United States:
Headquarters Camp Meade, Pa, Aug, "a
1898
Adjutant General United States Army
Washington, d. c.:
The fact that there is a Sufficiencv oi
water here for $1,000 was developed today
by the completion of the last well, giving
a total supply of about 1876, 900 gallons II
twenty-four hours This amount, ii is eX
pected, will increase under air pressure
The camp sites are sufficient in area fo
the whole corps, and are ideal in char
acter. ] believe that the corps will b,
most judciously located here. | will or
der First division to move as soon as tn
Second has arrived.
Graham, Major General
Interest in the projected remova
from here to Middletown is lost, eithe
on account of other more importan
speculation, or else because the men d
not care one way or the other. Thi
doubt is breaking their spirit, and be
tween home and Cuba, the North Pol
and the torrid zone, it makes but lit
tie difference to them.
FLAG RAISING IN b STREET.
Last night a beautiful and patriot
ceremony was carried out in b stree
by the "Doney club" of the company
The occasion was the raising of tn
national colors on a large pole whic
was gotten and made ready in the al
ternoon. This pole, which is twenty
FIVE feet high. is erected between tn
headquarters of the "Doney club" an
MISERY castle" the habitation of Pr
vate Charles Hamilton, the well-know
attache of the Academy of Music
At 7 o'clock in the evening the drul