The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-07
SICK BOYS in THE 16OTH
OVER TWO HUNDRED OF COL. GUN
DER's MEN UNFIT FOR DUTY.
Regiment Receives Assurances of a
FurIough, but 1t Will Not BE Mus
tered Out-Other Camp News.



LEXINGTON, KY, in Camp with the
e-hundred-and-sixtieth Indiana Volun-
steers, Oct. 5.-The minds of the men are
full of thoughts of home and of speculation
as to hopes of approaching furlough. Col.
Gunder asked Adjutant General Corbin to
furlough his men ard gave as a reason in
creasing sickness in the regiment. AT pres
ent more than two hundred men are absent
SICK and many soldiers, yellowed with
jaundice ard racked with stubborn fever,
lie in quarters, doing no duty and having
no interest in existence. The secret of the
growing sick list is in question. The reason
is a hard one. 1t appears that the lavish
use of chlorides and cleansing fluids, the
fumigation and scientific furry that daily
forms a part of camp life, is of little use
against the myriad microbes transported
from Chickamauga and elsewhere to this
camp. 1t is true that the Minnesota boys
carried away with them thirty-eight serious
cases of typhoid fever that had been treated
in quarters, and by many it is assumed that
the disease brooded in the camp as the In
diana boys found it.
At present there are 937 men to draw ra-
lions. While this is "a sbetter record than
two other regiments in the camp can show,
1t is worse than the average, and much
below any previous statement of the One
hundred-and-sixtieth. All through the camp
service Of the regiment. up to the bitter
turning back at Newport News, Va, the
regiment was vigorous and full of fighting
spirit to meet disease as we'll as bullets, if
the chance came. Since the regiment was
deprived of it's chance for battle, sickness
las spread steadily. Men who refused to
admit illness on the way to Porto Rico COL
lapsed soon after idle camp duty became the
only prospect. 1t is fact Also that the
hospital record of the six
tieth at no time presented the exact state
Of the mems health. Colonel Gunder's drill
and excellent discipline and the absence of
the canteeH worked together to make the
regiment the most healthy in the service.
but the hospital lists of Chickamauga were
phenomenally low and misleading. Soldiers
were refused excuses from drill who were
not in condition to do such duty, but at the
quarters by company officers, who were
proud of the regiments health and made
few complaints At this time it is needless
longer to conceal conditions. There are no
complaints as to treatment in the division
hospital.
The regiment is to be paid this week, and
many men expect a furough before Oct
10. Major Steele, of the Eleventh congress
sional district, wrote to Colonel Gunder re-
Gently, assuring him of the granting of a
furlough to the regiment and asking him
If the boys would be satisfied to be fur
Laughed from Lexington. The commander
replied that Lexington would suit the regi-
ment. The effort to secure the permanent
release of the organization did not succeed
but it is said the War Department will
grant a leave from camp without the as
surance given other regiments of a muster
out to follow the vacation.
Wet weather is now with US and more
sickness must result. The wet season will
continue several weeks, and the former
comfort in quarters is lost while blankets
tents and clothing remain wet from day to
day, with no chance to dry them.
The territorial troops from wild places in
the West visit the boys from quiet homes
each night and entertain them with weird
Indian dances and mystic Aztec ceremonies
Arizona. The boys from Eastern States
take great delight in the exhibitions. The
Indians tore through IndianaS streets three
hundred strong one night recently, and re-
volverS popped the Fluctuations of their
wild songs and uncouth caperings. The
Westerners have not lost all individuality
under the quiet blue of the army.
First Lieut.. w. c.. Dunn, of Company M
is very sick. Lieut.. Col. William l.. Kiger
is recovering from a serious case of typhoid
fever. Chaplain w. d. Weaver is still sick
Glascock, of Company c, is i'll and off duty
Capt T. r. Marks is in charge of his COM
pany, though under arrest, because of the
lack of line officers present for duty. Pri-
vate William Franks, of Company e, had
malaria, and a result of his illness is an
affiiction similar to st. Anthony's dance
He has been furloughed. G. S.