The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-14
SOLDIERS DODGE IHE SUN.
HOT DAY AND HARD WORK AT
CAMP NORTHERN.

stated i'm the Republican Blues.
Claims He Was Induced to Desert
by Relatives story of the Sorrow
Caused His Parents by His Enlist
ment-FuneraI Services in Memory
of Capt wheaton.
GrifHn. Ga. May 19.-This has been a
warm and hard day in camp. Men and
officers, when not at work, have been
going around trying to find a shady green
spot.
The commanding officer has been trans
ferring the companies quarters for the
past two days.
Nearly every company has moved one or
more times. Some are well satisfied.
others are not.
But those who are dissatisfied seem to
complain more of their streets than any
thing else. To settle this unpleasantness
the captains put their men to work dig
ging up the roots and grass in their
streets and putting things in general or
der. 1t is neat and well-kept camp, one
deserving much credit to the men.
Two very pretty and sad incidents have
occurred to-day both of which are long
to be remembered by both soldier and ciu-
zen.
The first transpred about 1880 o'clock
this morning, when young Robert T. Rus
sell, who deserted the Republican Blues
on Wednesday, returned to the captain
of that company, asked the forgiveness
of the captain and 10 be taken back into
the ranks.
Capt. Drummond consulted Coils. Cook
and Lawton for some time, when it was
finally decided to let the company at large
vote on the subject. Accordingly the COM
pany was called to order in their street.
Coils Cook and Lawton being present also.
Young Russell, with the nerve of
model stood facing his former comrades
and without culver or a falter, asked
their forgiveness, and to be returned to
their ranks as one of them. He said he
was lead astray by a relative who put up
a heartreuding tale of parents at home
who were weeping and praying for him to
return. This was too much for him and
he followed his relative and deserted.
After tramping for miles out of town Rus
sell learned that his relatives had worked
a ruse TO get him out of the army. This
vexed the young man and he at once re-
turned to camp explained ALL and asked
to be reinstated. Every man voted 10 take
him back and amid tears. and shouts of de-
light, he grasped the hands of his former
deserted comrades, while swearing to live
and die by them.
Young Russell is highly respected by all.
His grandfather has been member of
the Republican Blues for sixty-three
years., and it is thought this fact had
great weight with his being taken back
into the ranks of the company.
A pathetic incident was the funeral ser
vices held by the Chatham Artillery I'm
memory of former Capt. Wheaton, who
died in New York and was buried in Sa-
vannah this afternoon. At $50 O'Clock the
Chatham Artillery. headed by the band,
marched out upon the parade ground to
pay their last respect to their beloved de-
ceased commander. The band played
beautiful funeral drge in low solemn
notes. 1t seemed as if each man felt that
his former captain was interested in their
presence. The music ceased, the company
sounded taps as an indication that lights
were out, and their loved one was no more
on earth.
Thousands of spectators witnessed this
scene and each one was impressed as new
er before. The company returned to its
quarters with heavy hearts.
Capt. Walker said to-day he had no idea
when his command would be mustered in,
as conflicting stories coming to the adju-
tant general regarding the number of men
recruited in artillery companies would re
quire an investigation before they are mus
tered into service. The War Department
orders 17S men to the company, while or
ders to the United States mastering Of
ficers at camp say to enlist only 12l men to
each company or battery. The matter is
being thoroughly investigated and it is
hoped will soon be Strengthened
AS yet no uniforms have been received.
Some of the men are badly in need of
their clothing and considerable complaint
is heard throughout the camp upon this
matter.
A Jewish merchant scattered cards
throughout the camp to-day, giving notice
that the soldiers could sell their old cloth
ing to his shop in exchange for new suits.
This seemed to take well with the boys,
for hundreds have been TO the city and
are now wearing jeans breeches, black
shirts and campaign hats, purchased In
exchange for their clothes.
Col Brown has promised the men that
they shall have their uniforms in short
time, even if he has to purchase them
in Griffin.
The Savannah Guards are a happy set
of men. They complain of nothing and
seem TO be hardened to soldier life al
ready Savannah has by far the largest
number of men in camp OF any city in
the state, and she has men to be proud Of
Every man in camp protects the good
name of his superior officer. Several
small fights have resulted from one man
telling another one his captain was the
best.