Evening star., 1898-08-27
District Soldiers to Receive Prompl
Attention at Montauk.
NECESSITY FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION
Serious Condition of the Troops
Upon Arrival.
WORK OF MAI. NEUMEYER,

the I'd and Sd Battalions, who arrived on
the Hudson off Montauk Point yesterday,
All Washington was stirred this morning
when it became cognizant of the surferings
of the brave District volunteers who went
enthusiastically to the front In support OF
the cause OF humanity. One emphatic citi-
zen voiced the opinion Of many when he
said: Our arrangement committee had
better plan for ambulances to bring our
boys to that reception"
The measures taken to improve the con-
dition of the soldiers. however, will prob.
ably put them in shape to properly appre-
ciate the royal reception which is being
prepared for them. 1t was gratifying to
the community to realize that when the
troops on the Hudson do land at Montauk
Point there will be an agency already
waiting and eager to supply their wants.
The instructions telegraphed yesterday to
The Stars representative, Mr. Charles q,
Kern, at Montauk. were explicit and CON.
prehensfve. They directed him to meet and
as far as possible alleviate the necessities
of the District soldiers. and draw on Tho
Evening Star for expenses consequently
the community felt assured that the
miseries of the men representing IL would
be quickly relieved.
Mai. Neumeyer's Plans.
Major Edwin H. Neumeyer, who was
selected by The Evening Star to attend 10
the Important work. accompanied by hin
son, left for his post today at I2:45 O'Clock,
He did not go last night because of the
certainty that the boys would not land this
morning. and because much of the pre-
urinary plans could best be accomplished
here. BY the use of the telegraph Major
Neumeyer set the wheels in motion in New
YORK yesterday afternoon, and he collected
a number OF letters from business men in
this city to business men in New York
which VIII assure the purchase of all sup.
piles at cost price. Major Neumeyer takes
with him an order from AdJutant General
Corbin to the commanding officer at Mon.
tauk. which assures him every facility
there. he will at once extend to the man
of the District regiment everything they
may need. and will then cooperate in the
sood work as long as there is any need
Before the departure Major Neumeyer
stated his intentions regarding the plans he
would follow
Ny first work will be to ascertain what
the sick soldiers need and supply them
with II. Then i will find out what the con.
yalescents require and meet their wishes,
When these most important matters are
to / will ascertain what the well
men are in need of and supply their neces.
sites also. L am well aware of the re-
sponsibilities resting upon me and Will en-.
oeaFor to meet them to the very best OF
my ability
Major Neumeyer was very anxious ia
nave the assistance of Lieut.. Charles r.
Swigert of the District National Guard.
VINO is man of vast and valuable experf-
ence in commissary and similar work but
the lieutenant, who, is employed in the gun
shops at the Washington navy yard and
realized how active the operations were
there at present, and how much the SER
vices of every man were needed, was dis.
inclined to apply for leave.
Quickly Accompanied.
When this very applaudable position OF
Lieut.. Swfgert was made known TO The
Evening Star, representative was sent to
the navy yard to ascertain If his services
could be dispensed with temporarily. in
order to allow him to give his valuable help
to the work of humanity in behalf Of the
District regiment.
Never was an enissary more cordially re-
cefved and never was his mission more rap
idly accomplished. The Star reporter reack,
ed the navy yard at 10 o'clock. and sought
Capt. Pendleton, the superintendent of the
department, through Capt. Harry
B,ogden, clerk to the commandant. Capt.
Brogden, with his characteristic knGness,
dropped his work and accom-
panied the reporter to Capt. Pendlaton,
stopping on the way to see Foreman Lynch
of the gun shops.
why, certainly" said Foreman Lynch,
promptly. In such cause every one
should be ardent. Mr.. Swigert can be
spared for such a purpose. of course"
Capt Pendleton was equally pleasant
Within ten minutes Lieut.. Swigert had ap-
piled for and been given his leave of abb
sence. with the understanding that ne could
return to work at any time before 1t exc
pired if his services at Montauk were not
further needed, and at IL o'clock he left
the yard to prepare for his journey. He
will join Major Neumeyer tonight.
Citizens Committee.
While The Star, through its correspon-
lent at Montauk and Mai. Neumeyer here,
was making all arrangements for meeting
the immediate needs of the soldiers on
their arrival at Montauk. the citizens COM
mittee, acting on the suggestion made
to Mr.. Ross and Maj. Sylvester by The
Star representative. were considering the
future of the regiment at Montauk camp.
and ho'v far their power as to a disposal
Of their reception funds at that point went.
This morning the conclusion was reached
that the first duty was to the weak and
debilitated bodies at Montauk, and ar
re rengements for the reception were tempo
rarily laid aside. while the more pressing
question was taken up. A committee was
appointed to go to Montauk and inves.i-
gate. and render assistance to the regiment
curing their stay. This committee will
leave tonight, and at Montauk it will find
Maj. Neumeyer attending to the pressing
and immediate needs of the boys after
W hich some combined and harmonious linz
the necessities of the men, whatever those
necessities may be. Mai. Neumeyer him.
self Is one of the committee appointed by
Mr.. Ross. The committee consists of:
DR.. H. L. E. johnson. Maj James E. Bell,
Capt. j. Harrison johnson, Capt. T. VI. Ex-
ley, Mr.. Edward H. Neumeyer, Maj. Brooks
and E. J. Roche will leave Washington to-
night at 10 o'clock foT Montauk. provided
with every facility for prompt action in
caring for the sick and PROSTATE soldiers.
The committee will make every provision
for the comfort of the Washington heroes.
Gen. Corbin has been asked to grant the
committee whatever authority is needed for
their free access to the ships and camps
where the District soldiers may be located.
Capt. Johnson will remain in New York,
while the other members of the committee
will proceed at once to Montauk to make a
rapid investigation of the boys condition
and to ascertain Just what supplies are ur-
gently needed to restore them to health and
to drive from their racked bodies and brains
the dread fever that has taken possession
more or less of every bluecoat who did his
duty In a Santiago trench. Capt Johnson
VIII be prepared to Ill at the shortest pos