Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-09-23

packages, which he did, and I noticed in
the paper that n Of them, in writing
back what they had received on the trip,
mentioned that the tobacco and pipes
donated by Col. Phelps were appreciated.
It came about through Col. Phelps de-
ilivering the stuff to the train, and they
supposed it was a personal donation.
The amount was $3.50, and I bought it
as I did the other supplies. The boys
enjoyed it and were entitled to it. It
couldn't have been talked around the
rendezvous much, because it was pur-
chased the night before the boys left
and delivered the morning they left. I
bought groceries Of Leach & Gamble,
Wahpeton, also in Fargo, andI can say
everything furnished the camp by these
gentlemen was very satisfactory and first
class. Not one single thing was rotten
Or widowed, but when a change came
and Lieut.. Albright took control many
things we're sent to the camp that were
not frst-class-rotten potatoes, black
beans, etc. Lieut.. Albright was busy up
town and Quartermaster Sergeant ickle,
one Of the best posted men in the volun-
teers in that position, called his atten-
ton to it and it was Immediately cor
rected, but this was not under control Of
the management now being criticised. I
may add that the boys got the best of
everything I could buy in the way Of
substantial food and any person living
in Fargo at the time knows, and the files
of the Fargo papers will show the many
regrets that were expressed when the
camp went strictly on army r~ations, and
in making criticisms a little care should
be taken, as the camp, as stated, had two
arrangements at different times. That
board bill of Major Flint's which was re-
ferred to was not 800 or over, as put
down in the article, but instead it. was
e34.5O. See voucher No. 29,513. Major
Flint had been for a year previous under
care of a physician and was unable to go
into camp, as did all the other officers,
as soon as we could get quarters and tho
mess going. This is another slur, as the
writer knew the major was a personal
friend of mine. My attention was also
called to an article in the Morning Call
which says 500 or $500 wa spent for
livery, the bulk Of which was spent for
pleasure drives by officers accompanied
by their wives, sweethearts or friends.
The total livery bills las per vouchers
Nos. 1850 and 29,59l). was s273.5O,
which includes saddle horses for officers
entitled to them under the law, and all
livery of the camp for the period of
nearly one month. The particular horse
and buggy mentioned was in general use
day and night and was used by Gen.
Miller, Col. fuller, Lieut.. Albright, Capt.
Berg. myself or anyone having business
to transact from and with the camp.
The following telegram in the COVER
nor's Office, contains my instructions:
WASHINGTON, D. c., April q.
The Governor of North Dakota, Bis
marck, N. D.:
The following decision Of the secretary
Of war of this date is communicated for
your information "All absolutely neces-
sary expenses for the subsistence, trans
portation, sheltering and generally the
maintenance of volunteers during the
interval between their enrolment, enlist
ment and their muster or being sworn
into the service of the United States, also
all Incidental expenses connected there
with such as the hire of officers, clerks,
messengers, ETC., for mastering officers
will be met by the government of the
United States from the proper appropri-
alton at the disposal of the several staff
departments of the army. Certified
vouchers for all expenditures herein
authorized will be forwarded to the war
department for audit and payment. The
vouchers should be certified by officers
of the proper staff departments and ap-
proved by the mastering officers"
H. G. CoRB1N, Adj. Gent.
I received my order to take charge of
the camp on Friday afternoon, April %,
and arrived in Fargo the following morn
ing, Saturday, April 30. Ny instructions
from the adjutant general were to have
camp ready for the command on Monday
morning, May 2, therefore everything
had to be accomplished in forty-eight
hours. Under these circumstances it
wa not afmatter of spending those forty
eight hours in trying to see if I could
save a doll ar or two for the government
It wa simply for me to do my best and
at all hazards arrange for the protection
and comfort OF the volunteers. The
question of whether I was e%xtravagant
or exceeded my authority or went beyond
the bonds Of my instructions was left as
per telegram with government officials.
The bills contracted by/me were careful
ly gone over by Lieut.. Albright and were
approved and sent to the war depart
ment for adjustment. AS the state
simply acted as agent in this matter and
no state funds suffered by it / should
think if there was any wrong done it
wnnld he a,,hiect IN review nv the r,ronor