The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-30
ECHOES OF THE WAR.

A dispatch from Camp Townsend,
Peekskill, N. Y, in yesterdays New
York Sun says: Colonel Griffin is still
in Washington arranging for the trip
of the regiment of volunteer engineers
to Porto Rico. The information was
received today that the engineers would
go to New York city by rail and thence
by the steamer Chester. The boat has
accommodations for $50 first cabin, 200
second cabin and 1000 steerage pas
sengers, and room for the officers
horses and the equipments and stores
of the entire regiment. The engineer
ing drills were continued this afternoon
by the Second battalion. They took
up the work where the First battalion
left off last evening. They made CAB
ions and constructed one fascine.
There were also infantry drills all day
on the east parade ground. The men
of Company ID were in the rife pits
all afternoon and made some good
scores. The following appointments of
regimental nom commissioned officers
We're announced tonight: Sergeant
major, Justine Burns; quartermaster
sergeant, Josiah w. Church; chief
musician, Othello c. Conterno; princi-
pal musicians Joseph Baker and Will
liam p, Lynd. Second Lieutenant Wal
ker X. Kimball arrived in camp today
He was transferred from Troop c at
Camp Alger. There are two serious
cases of illness in camp-one of pneu-
monia, the other of pleurisy. The mess
hall was closed today and the regi-
ment began TO cook its own meals
The men expressed themselves well
pleased with their meals from the mess
detail. One company had beefsteak
Irish stew, coffee, and bread for dinner
The menu of the supper tonight in an
other company was beef. bacon, mashed
potatoes coffee, and bread Each COM
pany has a mess detail of four men.
In the first quartet of cooks for Com
pany A were w. l.. Edison, son of the
inventor, and Eugene d. Mitkiewicz,
son of Count Mitkiewicz."
1t has been decided that the First
regiment of volunteer engineers will
leave Peekskill for Porto Rico on Aug.
6. Colonel Eugene Griffin, the COM
mander of the regiment, went to Wash
ington Thursday to see the war de-
partment officials in reference to the
transportation of the men. Colonel
Hecker, who is in charge of the trans
portation of the troops, informed him
that the arrangements to transport the
regiment from Newport News had been
changed and that it had been decided
to send the regiment direct from Peeks-
kill. He offered the colonel the choice
of two transports. Minnewaska or
Chester. Colonel Griffin visited the
Army building and after a conference
with Colonel Kimball, deputy quarter
master general, and his assistant, Ma
jor Summerhayes. decided to move the
regiment on the transport Minnewaska.
AS this vessel is said to be the best
army transport in the service Colonel
Griffin is very much pleased at having
been able to secure it. 1t formerly be-
longed to the Atlantic Transport COM
pany, and is a twin-screw steamship
of 1000 tons displacement. The First
regiment of Volunteer engineers mus
ters fifty-three officers and l LOG men.
1t carries with ii a wagon train of fifty
wagons, twenty-five of which are for
engineering tools and the rest regular
infantry wagons. Two hundred and
sixty-two mules have been secured for
moving the wagons and the three army
ambulances which are attached to the
regiment. The regiment has been pre-
pairing for the campaign for some
weeks, and is now said to be in fine
condition for active service. Efforts
are now being made to secure IA mill
tary band, and officers of the regi-
ment are hopeful that this will be done
before they embark The regiment win
board the Minnewaska at Peekskill and
proceed direct to Porto Rico.
David Llewellyn, a private Of Com
peny u, Ninth regiment, returned from
camp Thursday on short furlough
and is with his parents at Wilkes
Enrre. In speaking of camp life he
said the boys are Well looked after and
are not in real need Of anything. They
have food in plenty and it is OF a