The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-26

ture of the steamers City OF Peking,
City of sydney and the Australia.
which have been detailed by the gov
ernment to transport $500 troops to
Manila. At 3 o'clock ammunition was
still being stored on the vessel, but
General Anderson gave it out that he
would put to sea as soon as possible
after the matches had been sealed.
Every small boat on this side of the
bay has been pressed into service to-
day by relatives and friends of the men
on the troop ships who wished to get
near enough to the vessels to say their
last farewells. All day long tug boats
and launches have been plying be-
tween their wharves and the steamers,
each bearing loads of passengers who
wished to catch a glimpse of familiar
face looking over the side of one of the
vessels or perched high in the rigging.
Constant delays and many farewells
were rapidly unstringing the nerves of
the men. The pitiful scenes that tnsy
have been compelled to witness and to
participate in have done more than
anything else to injure their health.
but a few days in the fresh ocean air
will soon revive their spirits.
The start was made for Manila late
this afternoon. and the first American
army to sail for a foreign shore is now
on the broad Pacific. At 4 o'clock this
afternoon Brigadier General Anderson
signalled from the Australia for the
city of Peking and City of Sydney TO
get under way Immediately. The sig
nal was seen from the shore and the
waiting crowds commenced to cheer
wildly. They knew what 1t meant. as
well as the sea captains for whom the
signal was intended. No time was lost
on board the transports. The crews
worked with a will and In n short time
the vessels were under way. Then the
1900 soldiers who had been impatiently
awaiting the signal to start let them
selves loose. They climbed to the rig
ging and swarmed all over the big
ships. shouting and cheering like mad.
The bay was alive with small craft OF
every description and huge ferry boats
We're pressed into service TO accommo-
date the eager crowds and carry them
TO the heads OF the Golden Gate that
a last farewell might be said. The big
transports steamed slowly along the
water front and the crowd on shore
raced along to keep them in sight. The
noise made by the patriotic citizens on
sea and shore was something terrific.
Every steam whistle in the city ap-
peared To be blowing. cannon were
fired and the excitement lasted fully
an hour. AS the Australia passed AL
catraz island in the lead of the other
ships. the battery of United States ar
tillery stationed there fired a salute TO
General Anderson. The colors were
dipped In recognition and the steam
ships sounded their sirens. The boats.
small and large. followed along as the
transports moved slowly forward. and
not until the heavy swells of the Pacific
ocean were encountered did they turn
back. It was shortly after O'Clock
when the vessels entered the ocean,
and the sun glinting over the city.
gave the departing soldiers a last sight
of the beautiful country to fight for
whose honor they were sailing over
5000 miles. When last seen the trans
port fleet was steaming slowly to the
southwest. After the pilots were
dropped the vessels went ahead at full
speed, and in six days. ~ all goes we'll
they will enter Honolulu harbor and
Join the Charleston.
The strain Of expectancy during the
past few days has been severe on both
soldiers and citizens. and after the
noisy demonstration this afternoon the
towns people felt relieved that IL was
all over
The three transports carried close on
to $500 men. The expedition. which is
under command of Brigadier General
Anderson, consists of four companies
OF regulars under the command of
Major Robe; the 1st regiment. Califor-
MIA volunteers. Colonel smith: LIST regi-
menf. Oregon volunteers. Colonel sum
mers; a battalion of infantry. heavy
artillery. Major Geary: about 100 sail
ors and II naval officers. The fleet Is
loaded with supplies to last a year and
carries big cargo of ammunition and
naval stores for Admiral Dewey's fleet
at Manila.
The government has purchased the
collier Peter Jebsen. now at the How
ard-street bunkers. The Jebsen is
loaded with several thousand tons of
coal. which will not be removed from
her hold. A couple of companies of
troops can be quartered on the collier.
which Is reported to be assigned to the
duty Of towing the coast defense yes
sci. Monterey. from Honolulu TO Ma
nila.
II is understood that the government
Is negotiating for the charter OF the
Spreckels steamer Alameda. which Is
now In sydney. y. s. W. The Spreckels
will lease the steamer providing they
can replace her. II the Alameda comes
To this city without stopping. she can
make the trip in about Is days. but the
usual voyage takes about a days.
The people of California. and espe-
cially Of San Francisco. are very proud
Of the performance of the Oregon. and
the chamber OF commerce of this city
has forwarded a congratulatory tele-
gram TO Captain Clark. expressing It's
pleasure over the wonderful run made
by his vessel, which was built at the
Union Iron works in this city.
BY Sunday next over 1000 more
troops will arrive 10 join those now
camped in this city. A troop of volun-
teer cavalry from Utah left Salt Lake
yesterday and are due here tomorrow
morning. \ Montana regiment of in
fantry is expected to arrive Friday.
The 18th and 23d regiments of infantry
started yesterday from New Orleans
and are due Saturday. A battalion of
infantry from North Dakota will prob
ably be i'm this city by sunday.
The government has let a contract in