Evening star., 1898-06-07
The Regiments at Camp Alger Nov
ing Their Quarters.
FIRST AND SECOND DIVISIONS FORMING
The Rumors of Transfer to Some
Point South.
COL. HARD'S STATEN ENT
Special Cores pcndence of The Evening Star.

Special Cores pondence of The Evening Star.
CAMP ALGER, Va, June Z, 1898.
The mobilization of the commands that
go to make up the 1st and I'd Divisions Of
the I'd Army Corps was continued today.
i Colonel Fosters men of the 9th Illinois
were the first to move their quarters, cross
ing the road to the position now occupied
by that regiment Since that time, which
is to say since Friday, the general move
ment Of troops contemplated by General
Graham has been suspended, awaiting ac-
ton by the commission on the sanitary con-
dttion of the camp. Today, however, al
though that report has not yet been re-
ceived. the 65th New York and 7th Ohio
changed their quarters, and moved about a
mile nearer the corps headquarters than
before. Their present position is adjacent
TO that assigned to the 9th Separate Bat
talon of Ohio
Other regiments to move are the 4th Mis-
souri, and the 7th Illinois. They will select
new camps tomorrow. This will almost
complete the organization of the ID Di-
vision.
When this command is organized the at
tention of headquarters will be directed to
I'd Division, which will complete the Or
san1zatfon of the CORPS One of the first
regiments to be drawn upon for the pur-
pcse of completing this organization is the
54th Michigan. which is reported already
on the road to Camp Alger. 1t might have
arrived today except for some unforeseen
difficulty in securing transportation. The
impression prevailed at headquarters that
1t would not arrive until tomorrow morn
ing, but word has since been received that
the regiment has progressed without diff
Guilty, and may be able e reach camp this
afternoon.
Postmaster Wiliett conferred with Gen
eral Graham this morning as to the adyisa-
bilty of establishing registry, money order
end STAMP departments of the Washington
post office in camp. The corps commander
agreed that the. step had become a neces-
sity, and made everything as pleasant for
his visitor as possible. The postmaster
was driven about the camp in order that
he might select the most desirable sites.
Some difficulty may attend the organization
of such office, as the War Department
intends to erect a building for the same
purpose.
Personal Mention.
Senator and Mrs. Mason, Mr.. Chen, the
first secretary, and Mr.. Chow of the
Chinese legation, spent the morning In
camp. The two foreigners. together with
Mr.. and Miss Ballinger Of Washington.
took dinner with Col. c. v. Hard of the
Sth Ohio.
General M. c. Butler reported to Cen
eral Graham at corps headquarters today,
but will not take charge of the second
division for several days.
Visitors from Alexandria, Falls Church.
Fairfax and other nearby towns poured
into the camp of the Sd Virginia all day
yesterday. They were all heartily well
coined, but none was permitted to escape
without a list OF what the regiment most
needs. This list includes about four ar
ticles-lemons, oranges, ice and light crack
ers. Those who want to do anything for
the Sd Virginia should make a contribution
of something from this list. 1t will be
worth about twice as much as a contribu-
ton of anything else.
Major McMichels assistant adjutant gen.
eral of volunteers. arrived at corps head
quarters late this afternoon. He is to be
assigned to the third division.
Wanted-A Report.
No copy Of the report on the sanitary
condition of Camp Alger has yet been
ceived at the corps headquarters, that is,
no copy has yet been transmitted through
the adjutant generals office. The Star re-
Iorter made dilgent inquiry at every point
where such document might be received
and has so far failed to find any evidence
that it has yet been sent to the camp.
Capt. Carl Reichmann. assistant adjutant
general Of the CORPS. through whose hands
such papers are usually transmitted to the
proper officers, said today that he had SO
far seen nothing of the report.
All .his seems to indicate conclusiv ely
that the report printed several days ago
was not authentic. If this Is the case say
the officers on duty here. certain subse-
qUent events have peculiar significance.
The first of these is a general order issued
yesterday afternoon appointing a board Of
officers to investigate new site for the
camp.
The order reads:
"a board of officers is hereby appointed
to meet at these headquarters on Tuesday,
the 1th day of June, at O'Clock am, 10
proceed to the ground south Of the city of
Alexandria, Va. submitted to the Secre-
tGry of War by NJ. B. Harlow. and make
thorough inspection each in his own
department and ascertain whether it is
more eligible as site for the encampment
of large body of troops than is that upon
which they are now located. 2The board
will examine the grounds in reference to
its drainage. elevation above the Potomac,
water supply. its availability for all pur-
poses for large encampment. and espe-
C ally in reference to sanitary conditions.
THE detail for board is as follows:
Lieut.. Col. Peter T. Vroom, inspector gen.
eral United States army I'd Army Corps;
Lieut.. Col Alfred c. Girard, United States
Volunteers, chief surgeon I'd Army Corps;
Lieut.. Col. James L. Lusk, chief engineer
United States Volunteers, I'd Army Corps;
Major Guy Howard, acting chief quarter
master. United States Volunteers, I'd Army
Corps. The Junior officer will act as re-
corder Of the board. By command of
Maj. Gen. GRAHAM"
The Order Discussed.
One of the officers on General Graham's
staff consented to discuss this order if his
name was not used. 1T is hardly likely"
said he, that General Graham would ap-
point commission of this sort if the War
Department had pronounced the present
site of Camp Alger perfectly satisfactory
or likely to be made SO by the construction
of several artesian wells. A search for a