The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-11
MAY GET OFF TOMORROW.
EMBARRATION or RAYS REGI-
MENT A NATTER UNDECIDED.

port and 1t Is Hoped the Regiment
Can Break Camp Early Tomorrow
AIOrning-Lieut. Col Reeves Physi-
cal Capacity and General Military
Qualifications to BE Made Matter
of Inquiry-The Last of the Fifth
Sailed Yesterday Morning on the
LeOna.
Col. Rays regiment wiz not get off for
Santiago to-day. 1t may not leave before
Saturday Col. Ray, though, Is hopeful Of
getting his men on board at the latest by
tomorrow morning, and there Is reason to
believe that he viii be successful.
All the work on the Mnnewaska is be
ing pushed as rapidly as possible. A cold
storage plant for meats is being put in,
other carpentering work is under way, and
this afternoon the regiments commander
hopes to hear that everything is in read
mess for him to move his men on the first
thing in the morning.
Enough hammocks are at hand for all
needs. In taking out the cargo, which is
TO be sent by rail to Tampa, 200 ham,
Knocks turned up. Prior to this the de-
partment al Washington has been advised
of the failure TO send a sufficient number,
and Col. Ray had received a telegram TO
the effect that a fun supply would be ship
ped by express at once. 1t is probable
that thousand viii arrive to-day, only
to be sent back or shipped on to Tampa
for use on any transports leaving there.
The men of the Third can be on board
of the Minnewaska within two hours af-
ter the word is given to strike camp. The
tents will be down in a few minutes, wa
gons viii be In readiness to haul over the
heavy equipments and the troops IN light
marching order can reach the wharf in
half hour without overexertion. With
everything in readiness on the ship, the
companies can be marched right aboard
and assigned to their respective quarters.
Col. Ray hopes to get off in the cool of
the morning on Friday. 1t may be to-
night before it viii be definitely known
when the regiment will move.
In the meantime the men are getting the
most enjoyment possible out of the camp
here. The commander has been quite lib
eral as regards passes, and every one has
had a chance to come to town. 1t is cool
at camp and life there as fairly Pheasant.
Visitors enliven the entire day, and at
night the men enjoy themselves reading,
playing cards or such other ways as they
can. All are required to be In camp by
o'clock
Five sick soldiers were shipped to the
hospital at Fort Mcpherson on last nights
train. They were regarded as too I'll 20
be taken to Santiago There are probably
fifteen men in the camp hospital. capt.
Twiggs, who was officer of the day yes
terday had to be relieved on account OF
his suffering from fever. He came into
town and may remain here untu the troops
are ready 10 sail. IL is feared by many
that the camp site, at this season of the
year, is not healthful owing to its prox-
unity TO the river. 1t is believed, though,
that the short stay OF the regiment can
do no great harm, especially as the water
used for cooking and drinking is from ar
tesian wells and of the purest quality.
AS for food, the regiment is amply sup
Piled for long stay, if 1t should be neces-
sary, IL having left Macon with thirty
days rations.
1t Is possible that after the regiment gets
to Santiago there may be some changes
among the officers. A new lieutenant col
onel is among these possibilities Lieut.
Col. Reeves will go with the regiment to
Santiago, under orders to Col Ray from
Washington 10 that effect, but after the
regiment reaches that point board Of
survey, composed of officers probably ap-
pointed by the general in command under
Instructions from Washington, walk sit to
examine into his physical qualifications 10
carry out the duties OF a lieutenant colonel.
1t is also rumored that a question has
been raised as to Lieut.. Col Reeves gem
eral military qualifications 1t is known
that papers in reference to him have been
filed by Col. Ray with the war department
at Washington, and that Lieut. Col
Reeves continuance I'm the army will de-
pend on the result of the coming examln-
alton. Col. Ray Is reported not to have
been satisfied with his lieutenant colonel
for Spme time and things have lately
comeNto the crisis referred TO. If Lieut.
Col. Reeves is retired, Mai. r. S. Wylly OF
Savannah would be next in the line of reg
mental promotions and will doubtless sue
coed him.
Coz. Ray admitted yesterday that a
board of officers would look into the mat
ter of Col. Reeves capacity, but would
discuss the matter no further than to say
ythat the lieutenant colonel would go with
2 the regiment to Cuba Lieut. Col. Reeves
remarked that il was agesnst regulations
for an officer to discuss such a matter
for publication. While the lieutenant col
onel IS man of 80 odd years, he stl
considers himself physically able He was
major of the Thirteenth Alabama during
the civil war, serving the entire four
years. He was a strong candidate for as
sistant secretary of agriculture in 1898
and presented extremely strong indorse-
ments TO President Cleveland He was
the first officer commissioned for the regi-
ment his commission, 1t is understood.
antedating that of Col Ray There have
been rumors of one or two other possible
changes, but there seems to be no ground
for them.
The transport Leona, with the Second
Battalion of the Fifth Regiment. got Off
shortly after o'clock yesterday morning.
The men broke camp about 4:30 o'clock
and were on the dock in good condition
soon after o'clock. The steamer woald
have left promptly at O'Clock but for
the hardness of a man sent after mail
Maj. Willis ordered the boat off at that
hour, but Maj. MOnsy insisted that he was
not ready TO go yet He was told 10 hus-
tie on board, as the boat was ready ard
would move off. An explanation about the
missing mail agent led to a granting Of
fifteen minutes grace. The mail arrived
before that time. An officer. who forgot
TO get aboard, took a row boat and reach