The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-28
ON HIS WAY TO PORTO RICO.
GEN. GORDON CONGRATULATED BY
HIS SAVANNAH FRIENDS.

Presented by the Officers of His
Hopes to Resume Command When
His Duties as Commissioner Are
Over-CannOt Express His Views
on the Expansion Policy.
Gen. W. w. Gordon left last night by
the Florida Central and Peninsular for
Washington. where he is to report to-mor-
row morning to the adjutant general of
the army and receive information as to
when and where he will leave for Porto
| Rico to take up his duties as one of the
| commissioners appointed to prepare for
kthe evacuation of the island by the Span
ish troops
| AS the commission is to report at San
Juan and begin its work there in conjunc-
ton with the Spanish commissioners by
Sept. Il, it is presumed that 1t will leave
this country in few days now. Commo-
dore Schley is reported as decidedly i'm
proved and will doubtless be able to per-
form his duties whenever necessary. The
commissioners will doubtless want TO go
over the situation somewhat before they
meet with the Spanish representatives and
| this will necessitate their arriving on the
island within the next two weeks
Gen. Gordon arrived in Savannah yes
terday morning and during the day re-
| ceived the congratulations of many
friends Numerous business matters were
awaiting his consideration, but the inter
ruptions were frequent throughout the
day. He received compliments not only
on the honors that have been visited
| upon him, but upon his excellent physi-
| cal condition. Somewhat Drowned by the
| exposure to the sun, he is looking vigor-
| Gus and full Of vim. Tt Is evident that the
| out of door life incident to the duties Of
a soldier have well agreed with him.
| Exactly what his duties as a commits
| sioner are to be he could not say. AT
Washington he will doubtless receive full
| information All that has come to him
has been the notification of his appoint
ment and orders to report at the capital
tomorrow. He does not apprehend that
| the duties will keep him long on the ISL
| and, probably not over a fortnight. AS
| soon as they are finished he hopes to re-
| turn to his command. He has not been
| advised that the brigade will be held
without regular commander until his
return, but is hopeful as the interval will
be so brief that there will be no change
in his connection with 1t, the senior colo
mel being permitted to act during his alb
sense.
II have become much attached to the
men of the brigade" said Gen. Gordon.
ut is a command any one might feel
| proud of. The men are all Southernefs,
from Ais Oama, Louisiana and Texas, fine
specimens physically, and possessing the
| dash that is so important factor In the
good soldier. They are all regretting that
the war ceased before they had an oppor-
tunity to try their hand at actual COM
| bat with the enemy. If the chance had
been given them have no fear but that
they would have distinguished themselves
and made the brigade a name to be proud
of. 1t is in them and all that was need
ed was the opportunity
Gen. Gordon was asked whether the
men are willing to go to Cuba. He was
decidedly under the impression that they
are prepared to go wherever the govern
| ment sends them and 10 measure up to
their fullest duty as soldiers. 1t Is COM
monty accepted in camp that the entire
Seventh Corps is to go to Cuba under Gen.
Lee, and the men seem more than salts
fed to have been selected for the inn
portant work that is ahead for the army
of occupation.
When asked for his views on the ques-
ton of annexing the Philippines and
Cuba Gen. Gordon explained that under
the existing circumstances 1t was impossi-
BILE for him TO express himself. Il have
views said he but as l cannot disas-
sociate myself from my official position
1t is not possible nor proper for me to give
expression to them
On Thursday, just before leaving camp,
Gen. Gordon was presented with a mag
nifcent gold watch by the officers of the
brigade. Col. Oppenneimer of the Second
Texas made the presentation speech. The
watch is one of the finest made, showing
not only the hour, minute and second, but
| the day of the week, of the month and of
| the year, the phase of the month, the
position of the great planets, etc. 1t Is
| a marvel in its way and as an evidence
of the regard felt for him by the off,
| GERS under him. is, of course highly APP
preciated by the general. At the request
of the officers, Gen. Gordon will have the
| watch inscribed, there not having been
adequate time for them TO have the work
done
On the front of the case will be a seven
pointed star, which Is the badge of the
Seventh Army Corps. This will be in red
enamel that being the color of the First
Division, and in the center will be a raised
| ngure two in white enamel. Gen. Cor
dons brigade is the second of the First
Division.
On the back of the case, in circle will
be crossed rifles, with lettering represent
ing the Second Regiment of Texas, Louis
lana and Alabama Infantry, Volunteers,
they constituting Gen. Gordons brigade.
| Inside of the case will be this inscription,
handed to the general by the officers:
Presented to Brig. Gen Gordon, U. S.
Vols, by the officers of his brigade, as a
slight testimonial of their appreciation for
him as their brigade commander; Aug. %,
1898"
Lieut.. w. w. Gordon, Jr., aide. accom-
panies his father and goes on to Wash
ington and thence to Porto Rico with him
Mrs. Gordon went to Washington a day
or two ago, and will also accompany him
TO the island.