Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-26
oONTENDING EMOTIONS
Among the BOys ut Camp Anger
sneak Easys-Wash Day.

CAMP ALGER, June 25.-GSpecial)-
disappointment and satisfaction nave
striyen for the mastery at Camp Alger
this week, and neither so far has cameo
the victory There is a feeling or the
former which pervades the camp as
write now. and the element OF satisfac-
ton is Just as evident. The boys are sore
Iv disappointed that the reports which
have for the last few days stirred the
regiment 10 a state Of excitatlon nave
amounted TO nothing. These reports were
10 the effect that we would go 10 lho
front at once, and the boys believed thein'
and were happy. They are satisheu 70
day. however, that we were not hastily
and without proper preparation sent TO
cuba. as they see in the delay prospect
of being ordered to Porto Rico, which
is the choice Of three foufths of the men
i'm the regiment, and as much as they
long to see active service. they would
rather. as several expressed IT, wait
few weeks. II by doing so they could at
tain their wish Fear OF the Spanlards ls
unknown to them, but the fever that
stalks over the island Of Cuba Is thought
OF with trepidation
Attempts at blockade running have IN
creased about 40 per cent. since the regi-
Iuent was paid OFF a few days ago, ana
a
he nlght in the guard-house. The many
attractive booths. pooi-rooms, and truit-
stqnd5. ~hlch are scauered in thick pro-
fusion throughout the other regiments,
proved too much for the Virginia boys,
who. with their pockets full of the long
waited-for money. braved even the ter
rors of the guard-house and the brigade
court-martial for the purposes or Sc
curing some of the dainties sold at the
stands. A number of the boys wanted
their pictures taken, and the nearest pno-
toRraphic establishment being IN the
Michigan camp. they also were opnged
to risk the blockade. For the frst time
since articles of food were prohibited by
Colonel Male from being sold on the
grounds, a Vender Of the same was mere
Yesterday afternoon He was not allow
ed TO come inside the lines, but drove his
wagon within 10 feet Of the camp limits,
the boys at once fixing a trolley line OF
communicable on which tin cup ran
I'D and down. and in this way they were
supplied with the things he had To sell,
which consisted of watermelons, oranges.
bananas, cakes, lemons, eggs, cigarettes.
and tobacco. His wagon-load was gone
inside of half an hour, though the prices
charged would have been prohibitory had
the boys not have just been paid. For
small slice Of melon he charged 10 cents.
Lemons went rapidly at 20 cents per
dozen, and likewise eggs at 20 cents. The
cry of watermelon brought every darky
camp-follower on the place to the gate
in short order, and with faces showing
delight, they eagerly showed out their
money for the coveted melon.
II seems that there are several speak
easys in the vicinity of the camp, and
from these, though the most vigilant
watch has been kept, some of the liquor
sold has been brought into camp and one
or two cases OF drunkenness have been
observed this week. A good deal Of apple
brandy, which was smuggled through the
lines was afterwards seized by the Off
GERS of the guard. The sentinels are
keeping a special lookout now, and there
is little danger Of any more of the con-
traband coming through the outposts.
funny camp scene, which could be
witnessed at Camp Lee, but which is
often observed here, is wash-day with the
boys. After bringing bucket OF water
from the spring, each man secures
wash-basin, hauls out his soiled clothes,
and the fun begins. Most of the washers
are new at the business, and the various
articles come out of the pan with as
many spots on them as when they were
first put IN. Some of the boys, however,
have become experienced laundrymen, and
II is astonishing TO witness the dexterity
with which they wash and wiring their
clothes. The only articles which they
fear TO attempt are collars. cuffs, and
stiff-bo49m shirts. These are beyo their
skill. A white collar is never seen now,
unless worn by an officer, and the ma
tority Of these prefer the comfortable
blue shirt furnished the men.
The new uniforms are hardly ever or
...I Of h kf,.-u
wish TO save them for some time when
| they will have an opportunity TO appear
| before the girls.
| After retreat each evening any one who
makes the rounds OF the camp can hear
| some pretty music, both vocal and instru-
mental. There is one orchestra here,
which plays very often. and their attrac-
| tive music always draws crowd around,
while several OF the companies have a
number Of fine singers, who also oblige
the boys by singing the songs preferred,
| generally being the old ones. which bring
| with them always many pleasant recol-
| lections. "Annie Laurie" My Old Ken
| tucky Home" and "Aunt Dinahs Quilt
| ing Party al sound sweet as the old
| tunes sung in chorus float over the camp
| on the night air. Nearer, My God, 10
| Thee" Is the favorlte hymn OF the boys.
and its sweet refrain ID borne often 20
the ear as the hour for retiring ap-
| proaches.
The dust is fearful here, and has been
since we arrived. To keep clean Is Inn
possible ana tents Of the regiment answer
well 70 the descriptions OF those OF the
Arabs when camped on the sandy desert
| Every tent here is covered with dirt, and
there y no rain m prospect. Drilling Is
| rendered twice as disagreeabie on ac'
| count of this nuisance. and when the
wind blows II Is rendered nearly unbear-
| able.
Drills have been going on regularly TINS
week, ana rapid peogress has been made