The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-08-27
FInh Missouri Regiment-Col. Z. n
Morgan interviewed.

FInh Missouri Regiment-Col. {. n.
Morgan interviewed.
Everything regarding the Fifth Mis-
sour volunteers will be Of interest to
our people. The following is an inter-
view with the colonel of that regiment.
A representative of the Lamar Demo
crat called on Col. Chas. II. Morgan,
who is now at home on furlough grant
ed because Of sickness in his family,
and made inquiry a to the Missouri
volunteers encamped at Chickamauga,
and asked what could be done, If any
thing, to promote their health and
comfort. In reply he SAID:
awhile in command Of the Fifth
regiment at Chiekamauga park I often
received letters inqurring what can be
done to promote the health and CON-
fort of the soldiers. The same question
was put to me since my arrival at
Lamar and / desire to make a full
reply that may go to all who want to
lend a helping hand to our boys in
camp who are making a splendid fight
against disease, with inadequate equip
ment for the deadly contest.
''First as to the needs and relief Of
the sick, and l shall speak from the
standpoint of my regiment, believing it
will cover all the others.
al shall put the ice problem first.
In the hospital for the sick in our
regiment we are furnished fifty pounds
OF ice per day by the kindness of the
Red Cross society. We could use
advautageously one hundred and fifty
pounds per day. The cost Of ice laid
down is thirty cents per hundred.
"Next the provision OF proper food
for the sick in addition to what is
furnished by the government canned
soups are ~needed-beef and chicken.
Fresh milk, preserved fruits in small
packages, acid fruits, lime juice, all
these car be procured for money, and
as cheap at Chattanooga as anywhere
in Missouri, but VI haven't the money,
and the patience and purse Of the
officers and men have been exhausted
for similar purposes until it has become
a necessity to call for money subscrip-
tons from home. | assert unhesi-
taiingly that with one dollar In ready
cash, in the hands Of Chaplain Cole
man, NOR relief would be gwen to the
sick than five dollars contributed in
articles from home, simply because our
chaplain has the experience and knows
what is wanted. | close my advice to
the patriotic and willing people Of
Missouri who desire to relieve the sick
soldiers by urging money contributions,
small or great, according to the DIS
position and means Of the donor.
"Next | would call attention 10 the
subject of preserving the health Of
those not already attacked by disease.
First IN Importance is the drinking
water question, and to illustrate | will
give the experience of my own COM
mand. The men were instructed to
drink nothing but boiled water, and
officers commanding to see that this
was done. In spite of all instructions
and careful watching 1t was soon found
that the men could not be depended
upon with their limited facilities to
carry out their instructions. | then
had detailed one of the most intelligent
and reliable officers of the regiment,
Lieutenant X. ID. Payne, Co. H., OF
Greenfield, 10 take charge Of the whole
business of supplying and preparing
drinking water for the men, and placed
at his disposal teams for hauling, and
detailed a nan from each company for
the work of preparing and storing the
water. W. purchased three outfits for
boiling and sterilizing the water.
These were purchased by subscriptions
from the commissioned officers of the
regiment. We had about one-third Of
the barrels required for hauling and
storing Of water, but have been trying
TO buy and draw an additional number,
and when | left we're in fair way to
succeed; but there has been q barrel
famine. Now the water SO prepared is
very u%npalatable, and ice which can be
procured 10 abundant quantities for
cash ought to be used, no only on
account Of taste but for strong sanitary
reasons. Fifteen hundred pounds OF
ice per day would be an ample supply
for the regiment. In other words -four
dollars aud fifty cents for ice would
happily settle the drinking water
problem in our regiment.
"Next in Importance is lumber fol-
flooring Of tents so that the men can
sleep off Of the ground. Nearly half OF
our tents are already in one way OF
another well or poorly ioored as the
men have been able to purchase OF
forage lumber and boxes. Two hundred
dollars in cash would complete the
flooring Of the tents Of the enlisted
men, but we haven't the two hundred
dollars. We have had a few cash con.
tributions from patriotic people
throughout the state, beginning with
Governor Stephens, who kindly per.
s0nGlly contributed nIty dollars to the
regimental fund.
"Otner sanitary necessities arc
facilities for bathing. We have neal
us n supply of hydrant water, and with
a few cheap bath houses supplied will
!, bath tubs, soaps and towels would be .
great health promoter to the regiment.
The Intense heat and copious persplra.
ton make more frequent bathing an
imperative means for the preservation
of health. There are other GALA fol
money in improving the sanitary con.
dItions of the camp. Among them tn,
purchase Of special medicines and lin,
: and other di~slnfectants not provided
for by the United States. We hay,
already made some purchases Of th,
sort and should make others. Finally
whatever is done should be don,
promptly. The officers and men arr
making ? great fight against diseas,
incident TO climato, season and camp
Dut IN spite OF every effort the Bi1l
list is increasing. | appeal to thos,
who have, that out Of their abundance,
they bestow with a liberal hand to hell
the cause Of the sick and dying soldier
from Missouri. More heroic Of
patriotic men never enlisted in a cans,
or battled under a Tag. They epterec
the army 10 eight for their country, snr
have been ready aud anxious 10 90 Il
|, the front. They are doing their dut,
where they are with the same courage
and fortltude exhibited by our men al
Santiago and Manila. The people o.
other states are responding to tn,
demands for aid. Missouri will not b,
behind. Her wealthy and patriotic
oitlseps will see TO 1t that her gallant,
faithful volunteers are provided will
everything that money Oan Eprohese Il
aid them in their struggle for preserve.
tion Of health. A small sum Is alt that
is needed. Let Il be sent PROMPTLY n