The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-06-18
COMPANY E.
OUR BOYS CAMP LIFE AT FORT
MONROE, VA.
Interesting Letter From the "Cecil
Whig'S" Correspondent
Miller Now Recruiting the
Company Here.
FoRr MONROE, VA, June Is, 1898.

@'A'-''''''
! Special TO the CECIL WHIG.
The last of the artillerymen were waiting
on the broad porch of the low, brick school
house in the fort, as Company E led the
First Maryland i'll to interview the paymaster
yesterday. 1t was pay day, and the pedago-
que had given way for the man the soldiers
have been so anXousy awaiting.
For about an hour the volunteers waited
their turn, sitting on the grass under the
| large trees, and trying to keep cool. In the
meantime the regulars passed by in quick
succession with their shining new gold pieces
displayed tauntingly to the greedy gaze OF
the patient infantrymen, and hastened to the
barracks to pay the soldier tailor or shoe
maker, or even to the "canteen' on the
other side of :he parade ground TO settle the
past months bill for tObac 20, beer aud num-
erous sandwiches.
Finally, after imbibing the ice-water in
the barracks the Marylaudcrs were found in
line again, and Company E., was marched
up to receive their first pay as soldiers Of the
United States.
Then started once more with renewed vigor
the business OF the vendors of cakes, pies and
fruit who has stopped their wagons just out.
side of the payma-ters office, and ever since
the selling Of these delicHccs has gone on in
the camp OF the Firt, uninterrupted except
by the rules excluding citizens at night,
1t all seemed like a holiday, as drills had
been suspended because of the heat, but to-
day the soldiers are working again in earn
est, the temperature having lowered.
The drill has been varied in the past week
hy the Introduction of skirmish line forma-
tIons, and by the practice march OF Friday,
which made one realize how many different
things enter into the training of a soldier.
The battalions formed at one o'clock, and
shortly after that time, Colonel Lane led the
regiment across the causeway toward the
Mainland.
For four miles the march was over the hot
test and dustiest of county roads lined with a
large part of the large coIored population, of
Old virginia. The darkies were not ablc to
satisfy themselves as to what was to happen.
some thinking the Spaniards were about to
make Il landing up the beach.
At length, looking like millcrs more than
soldiers, the bay shore was reached Company
E., realizing the advantage as well as honor
attached To beng the leading company. An
hours halt was ordered, and then the march
to camp was made along the shore on the
hard sand.
Everybody was proud that no one dropped
out of line, and seemed to be ready for the
next practice march, for rumor has it there
are to be more.
Corporal VIM. Miller left last night with
the recruiting party under Lieut.. Norris, of
Baltimore, from thence to proceed to the
Eastern Shore TO get recruits for the First.
Corporal Miller has been ordered to look
for men around Eklton aud Cherry Hill, his
home. Company E., hopes to have her
ranks filled up with Cecil county men, ana
Cecil county does the same.
1t Is remarkable how well the men are
standing the iatense heat of the past few
Of those seriously so.
MARYLAND.
corporal William B. Miller reached Elkton
on Wednesday and is now recruiting in the
county. He is a Cherry Hill boy.-Ed.I
Major p. II. Ellis of the L. 5. Army is in
command of the 18th U. s. Infantry Regi-
ment of the 9TH Army Corps, General Shafter
His 18th is embarked on the steamer Saratoga
of the llotilla now en- route to Santiago.
Major Ellis has served with the 18th during
his entire service in the regular army. and
enjoys the distinction of having commanded
hiscompany uninterruptedly since his appoint
ment as Second Lieutenant. more than thirty
years ago. The Thirteenth is famous for
its sharpshootcrs and Major Ellis himself
possesses many medals won in department
and army rifle contests.