The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-06
Special from a STAFF Correspondent.

b.-Camp Alger, for the time being,
both as regards the disposition of the
troops as well as the spirit of the
men is almost a thing of the past.
For several days regiments have been
marching to every point of the COM
pass in order to carry out the orders
received to escape the scourge of sick
ness which has been ravaging the camp
for some time with unabating energy.
The Second Army corps is now pretty
well broken up. The Ninth Ohio, COL
ored battalion, the Fourth Missouri,
the Sixty-fifth New York and the First
division hospital being all that now
remains to mark the old camping
grounds. The entire First division has
been removed TO this place, and will
remain here, no doubt, till it is GER
tain that another change will be dis
tinctively for the better. The Second
division has already encamped, but from
all authentic reports received up to
the present time, the success of that
location as a camping ground is so
very doubtful that it is not likely that
turbed; and, in fact, it is now we'll
understood that the war department
and the high officers of this corps are
only looking for a seasonable opportun-
ity to change their minds as to the
historic Manassas, and to select an
entirely new location for this corps.
This is the more probable course, and
In all probability the troops will pitch
their tents in a week or so on ground
which for camping purposes will be far
superior to Falls Church, Dunn Loring
or Manassas.
This is what the men wish most
especially if they are not sent to the
front-as they are heartily sick now
of all three places.
The severe march from here to Man
assas and the untold hardships which
many of the regiments, especially the
Sixth Pennsylvania, have had to under
go, have already prejudiced those who
remain against the swamps of the Oc-
coquan creek. The absence of food and
medicine on the march and the heavy
load which the men have had to carry
resulted quite disastrously for many
of the men who will remember that
march for years to come. one of them
having died from sheer hardship, it
is believed.
PORTO RICO RUMOR.
Tuesday night when it was an
nounced through the First division
that the First Connecticut, the First
Rhode Island, the Third Virginia, the
First New Jersey, and the Third Mis-
souri, had received orders to prepare
for movement to Porto Rico, the men
of those regiments fell upon one an
others neck and wept tears of pure
JOY. They would hardly speak to any,
body else, and gave vent to the most
vigorous enthusiasm, which lasted far
into the night, and kept everybody else
awake. The next day and yesterday
Major Generals Graham and Butler
went to Washington, and now the news
slowly reaches the ears of the enthusi-
asts that this order also has been
countermanded, and that the Seconu
army corps, as at present constituted.
will remain intact indefinitely, and that
it will not reap any military honors in
Porto Rico. This is depressing intel
ligence all around. and all are guess
ing what is to come next
This morning every company of the
Thirteenth received a much-needed
water boiler, the gift of the Woman's
National Relief association. They were
distributed at once, and are much ap-
preciated by the boys-especially by
the quartermaster sergeants
Yesterday afternoon very interest
ing game of base ball took place be-
tween teams representing Companies
f and b. 1t resulted Is to IA in favor
OF the former. The star plays were
made by Daniel Williams. Lemuel
Phillips acted as umpire.
Everybody wears a smile today. as
1t is the general expectation that Uncle
Sans paymaster is expected here to-
morrow afternoon. A warm time is
expected.
Last night was not without it's fun
quota Of excitement. The wind blew.
the rain fell in torrents, and the tents
were in precarious condition. Be
sides this, Company b was called out
to quell trouble in the theatre. For
the past week local pugilist has been
holding forth, offering $40 to any SOL
dier or civilian who can stand up be-
tore MN Tor six rounds. A member
or the Eighth regiment undertook to
earn this sum, but in the first round
trouble arose. The break~aways were
to be clean, but a foul was claimed
- '''NSN biN"Nh' anu the lOCdl puSlllSt
was declared the loser. He protested, |
and trouble at once arose Company b
was called to quell the trouble, and
the uproar soon subsided.
CAMP GOSSIP.
Lieutenant Dodge, of L, is officer of |
the day; Lieutenant Benjamin. of III |
is officer of the guard; Franklin Gardi- |
ner, of G, sergeant of the guard; Will
liam A. Davis, of F; George j. Thomas,
of 4, and Walter l.. Finn, of II, cor
porals. Private James Nealon, of f is
regimental orderly.
Corporals George Schmidt, William
Dunkerly and Jacob Frotherman and
Private Obey Michael, of Company c.
returned last night from home, where |
they spent seven days furlough.
Corporal Geary and Sergeant MUIR !
ply, of ID, returned to camp last night. |
j. w. Kistler, of the hospital staff. |
has received his warrant as assistant |
hospital steward. He is we'll liked by |
the boys, capable and obliging.
Privates Joseph Leonard and Charles |
\. Adams, of D. left here TODAY for |
Scranton on a seven days furlough
A party was given last night by Miss |
Phillips, of Falls Church. Among the |
guests from the Thirteenth were: Lieu
tenant Foote. of Company d, and Lieu
tenant Walter II. Gunster First bat
talion adjutant. All report having |
spent very pleasant evening.
DR. blanchard returned yesterday |