Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-05

the dose two or three times on the
water before the land forces can get
into action. We shall go on here and
organize our force as rapidly as pos
sible. AS to the length of time the
troops may stay in this camp, no man
can tell or even guess. They may
never leave it except for their homes"
Col. w. l.. Buck said: The news
is inspiring, but not surprising. Our
qualities and will whip them every
time there is a chance. If the Span
ish government were wise, they might
learn something from the lesson and
give up what must be a losing fight
from the start. But they are a proud
people and hate to acknowledge that
they are whipped. We may not have
to call on the army at all, as the navy
alone seems able to clean out the
Spaniards.
The chief anxiety on the part of the
officials now is the work Of mastering
the troops into the United States ser
vice. Col. w. l.. Buck says that the
medical examiner who had been de-
tailed by the war department to eX-
anime the men has not arrived and it
is not known when he will come.
Drs. Reynolds of Lake Geneva and
Ladd of Milwaukee, appointed as his
assistants, are ready for this work
Late orders from the war department
direct that the regmental surgeons be
examined and mustered first, so that
they may aid in the work. AS each
regiment has one surgeon and two
assistants, this will add nine men 10
the force of the medical examiner,
making it twelve men strong.
As to the length of time that will
be necessary to complete examination
Col. Buck said that ten minutes is
about the least that can be given 10
each man. On that basis it would take
from five to six days to complete the
work of the medical examiners
Col. Buck said that it was not his
intention to begin mastering the
troops into the federal service until
the examination is completed by the
surgeons, but the plan may have to
be modified to fit the orders from the
war department.
An enormous crush of people visited
the camp Sunday, the number being
estimated at 10000. About 500 were
from Madison. The grounds were
stamped into a sea of mud and the
bayOneted guards at the various gates
had an arduOus task taking care of
the people and teams. The Madison
visitors congregated at the headqltar-
ters of company G where the tired
women and girls were given seats on
the various mattresses. Everything
wa besmeared with mud.
Sunday was the last day Of the par
tial freedom that the boys enjoyed in
camp. The regulations now are as
strict as those of the regular army.
The guards have plenty of excitement
now with running the lines and night
ly capture a number. Helm and Aims
worth, company G's song and dance
team, keep the boys awake nights and
laughing, thus adding much to the
merriment. Rations are given out on
the regular army plan, the members
Of company G getting theirs at the
command of First Sergeant Chech
Each man takes his knife and fork,
plate and cup and taking his place in
line marches out to receive his ra-
tions. James Vance, Sr., then gives
each his rations and the troops sit
down anywhere and eat. After meals
each man goes down to the creek and
washes his utensils. Company G is
luartered in Machinery hall with four
other companies. The camp is seven
niles from Milwaukee and the BOYS
ire only allowed to visit the city by
special permission, only three men
rom each company being allowed to
cave camp at night