Evening star., 1898-06-21
HEAR MANY RUMORS
District Troops Still Doubtful as to
Their Destination.
THEY ARE KEPT BUSY DRILLING
Receive Marry Compliments for
Their Military Efficiency.
GOOD HEALTH CONTINUES

| Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
/ TAMPA, Fla, June 21.-Rumors as to the
| ultimate destination of the District voIun-
| teers are af1oat, end they are as varied as
| the cclors in the rainbow. First, the hearts
| of the boys are made glad by report that
| the regiment will be attached to the first
Porto Rlcan expedition, then comes a
| rumor that Gen. Merritt has asked that the
| regiment be sent to him at Manila. A still
wilder rulnor is that the regiments in camp
at Tampa will be sent to Mt. Gretna, Pa,
for the summer. Of course no attention is
raid to this last rumor. Again, it is said
that the regiment will be attached 20 the
provisional camp of Gen. Guy V. Henry
One thing is certain, the regiment stands
very high in the estimation of the officers
of the regular army. 1t was said by Lieut..
Mcintyre after the inspection of the Dis
trlct soldiers several days ago that they
passed one of the best inspections of any
regiment in the volunteer service. In fact,
they are very near to tie regulars in the
matter of military accomplishments.
The principal work of today has been the
extended order drill. The companies were
put through those movements for an hour
ard a half this morning.
Better Drill Grounds Needed.
The great lack of proper drill ground Is
felt very much. In order that the commits
stoned officers may be in better shape to
instruct the officers, school today will be
devoted to extended order exercises The
officers will be formed into company i'm
der command of Maj. Hine of the I'd Bat
talon, the instructor. and put through the
same movements they have to teach pri-
Yates. ana in like manner the non-conrlis-
sloneo officers of the regiment will he
taught.
The sick list is small again. Most of the
cases are caused by minor ailments
The 5ti Maryland came in from their
practice march this morning, and the I'd
New York will go out tonight and the Dis
uict men will go out again tomorrow
right, unless there is a change in the or
ders. These practice marches are consd-
cred beneficial to the men, getting them
seasoned 10 marching with the accoutcr-
ncntS that are necessary in actual war.
The Skirmish drills are very interesting
as the country where the men drill is of
the toughest possible kind. Through
marshes and thickets the boys plunge with
has been hurt at this work. They come in
happy and bright. Gen. Carpenter is proud
OF his brigade. and especially so of the
District boys. His HEADQUARTERS are Iocat-
ed alongside the District camp, and lie has
ample opportunity to witness the good
work of Col. Harries' men.
NOW that sufficient guard has been
placed on the corral there is no fear of an
other stampede of the horses.
Changes in Regiment.
There are changes in the personnel of the
regiment almost daily. A number of nom
commissioned officers, who have proven
themselves unfit for the work assigned
them, have been reduced to the ranks
Sergeant L. o. Roser of Company I was
reduced to the ranks for insubordination
AT the guard house they have what is
called the cord-wood brigade for refractory
prisoners. When man has broken the
rules more than once, he is made to shoul-
der a large stick of cord wood, and march
In the hot sun around a circle about fifty
feet in diameter. Yesterday Private j. +
Dealley of Company B, who had had this
punishment several times, refused to bulge
when ordered to shoulder his log He was
made an example of and Immediately
placed in the guard tent in irons DealIey
has proven very refractory soldier He
has persistently absented himself from
camp and drills without permission, and
he Will be seriously dealt with this time
Five recruits for the regiment reached
here from Washington yesterday after
noon. They are f. A. Ferris, E. l.. Gra-
ham, George L. Malea, John l.. Sullivan
not the famous pugilist, however,, and
Leonard Deitling. Private A. r. Taft of
Company + has been granted a discharge
by the War Department. Lieut.. J. H Grif-
fifth of Company + has been made COM
missary officer. Vice Lieut.. T. II. King
who returns to his company. f. Il.