The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-26
MIX WITH MASSACHUSETTS,
Twenty-First Kansas and New York
ers Do Not Agree-Letter
From Major Brown.
From the Special Correspondent of the
State Journal)

of which the Twenty-frst Kansas is a
part, through the kindness of Gen Saw
yer, division commander. At a. m
breakfast was had and at the regi-
ment in heavy marching order started
for Kelly field where a division inspec-
ton and review was held. The fOrma-
ton for the march to the field was in
columns of tours, as follows: Eighth
NasSac husetts, followed by the Twelfth
New York and Twenty first Kansas.
The men in addition to their Spring
field rifles carried haversacks contain
ing meat cans, knives and forks, tin
cup and toilet articles; a canteen of
water and a blanket roll. This roll
when properly made up consists of
blanket, extra pair of trousers, blue
wooden shirt, change of undercIothes
and a rubber pouch, all nicely rolled
inside one half of a dog tent with one
half of the tent pegs. a dog tent holds
two men and whenever they move they
are prepared for a dry place, under
cover, to sleep. To this add so rounds of
ammunition and 48 hours rations and
the equipment is complete.
The review and inspection was
sight never to be forgotten. Nine regi-
ments, 1900 strong, drawn up in line
ready for a campaign; nine bands and
drum corps playing national airs; nine
ing breeze and nine stands of state
cOlOrs representing the north, SOUTH
east and west; $50 officers riding in
front of the line in a sweeping trot
inspecting the citizens of yesterday
the soldiers of today. Then the order
Change direction by the left flank
was given and the corps in columns of
companies, arneS at a port, went by the
reviewing officers like regulars.
The Twenty-f1rst did itself proud and
was highly cOmplimented for it's lines,
which were straight as an arrow. The
physique of the men and their sOldierly
bearing were also highly complimented.
have many times been proud of
being Kansan but never so proud as
today when brother officers of different
regiments cOmplimented the Kansas
soldiers. Another thing that gave the
Kansas boys prestige over the others
was that only one man fell out. He
had disobeyed orders by leaving a sick
bed. New York had nearly 200 who lay
painting by the wayside and no other
regiment had less than so but it was no
disgrace, although the Kansas boys
looked on it as such, for seven or eight
miles were covered in the march, the
men were heavily burdened and the
thermometer stood at 103 in the shade.
Say, don't you want a ride? Let me
carry your gun. This is not exactly like
the bOwery. Don't you wish you were
a farmer?" etc, were the remarks made
by the Kansas boys IS they passed the
New Workers who dubbed the Kansans
farmers"
Massachusetts and Kansas mix all
right but New York and Kansas boys
are about as harmonious as Kansas
politicians of different parties.
Some of the boys in camp are given
to joking. The following is a dialogue
that is quite popular:
Say, pa, were you in the war with
spain?"
Yes, my SON.
what kind of a country is Spain?"
81 don't know. I was never there"
What do the people look Ike?"
81 don't know. 1 never saw any of
them"
Last week the First South Carolina
marched past the Kansas regiment and
were asked for some corn pOne' or
some moonshine whisky. One strapping
Kansan stopped a squad of South Car
OlinanS and graVely asked them If they
knew the Maine had been blown up.
The rockies" Cecruits) are always
hazed but they take it good naturally.
Today you can not tell the ones that
came first from those who came last.
Everybody is anxious to go to the
front and unless something happens we
will be on our way to Porto Rico next
week.
Captain A. D. Smith of Company B,
Garden City, is quite sick at the home
of a friend in Chattanooga. He has had
hard luck in his company. Two deaths
and many sick, including Lieutenants
Howard NJ. KOontz and Chas. Herzer.
Lieutenant Walker NJ. Ellis of Company
K, Kingman, is temporarily in COM
mand. He is one of the best officers in
the regiment.
There are several cases of typhoid
fever and so far two deaths have re-
suited. They are TheO- A Hammer of
Company A, Great Bend, and Charlie
Ellison. of Company B, a son of the
sheriff of Hamilton county. Both were
fine young men, excellent soldiers, and
gave their lives for their country. No
Drawer boys ever went forth at their
country's call. One was buried in the
National cemetery at Chattanooga with
the honOrs of a soldier and the other
will sleep meath the sod of the prairie
in western Kansas.
= =
strong have been detailed from the
regiment and DR.. F. w. Turner has his
hands full looking out for the sick. Dr.
Biddle started today for Porto Rico as
did Clarence Hauley of Hutchinson.
Both were connected with the reserve
hospital which goes ahead of the regi-
ment.
About $3.50 has been received by Mrs.
Armstrong for the use of the sick. 1t is
not alone those who are in the service
that are doing their duty to the nation.
The noble men and women of Kansas
are making the sick beds more pleasant.
Every dollar is being judIciOusly ex-
pended.
The action of the Twenty-first Kan
sas in doing away with a canteen and
intoxicating liquors has been followed
by many other regiments and now half
the regiments in camp have no can
teens.
The Odd Fellows of the regiment have
organized an association for the pur-
pose of caring for the members when
sick and in case of >leath to send the
remains home. The WOOdmen meet to-
night to form similar association.
Our chaplain, Rev. W. E. Woodward
has received $27S for the purchase of a
Y. NJ. c. a. tent. The tent has been
purchased and every night is we'll filled
by those who spend the evenings read
ing the literature sent by friends in
Kansas. He has also received $54 in
cash and several boxes of supplies for
the hospital He received $25 for Com
pany 3.
I wish that all my newspaper friends
would send a copy of their papers to the
Y NJ c. A tent. They would be great