Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-25
MILITARY POSTS EXCITED.
Movements That Are Not Understood
Attributed to the Imminence
Of War

Leavenworth Kas. Feb. 24-(Special)
The troops at Fort Leavenworth have be-
come imbued with a warlike spirit and are
nearly all anxious for hostilities to begin.
From the anxiety exhibited by the officers
and the hustle around headquarters, they
guess that trouble is imminent, and are
willing TO take their chances in the con-
fic.. Their trade is that of war. and. az
a private expressed it. they would like to
have an opportunity to ply their trade.
Since the receipt of the preliminary or
ders Wednesday afternoon. preparations for
moving have steadily progressed until now
| everything is in readiness and the COM
mand could move as soon as transporta-
ton could be furnished. Soldiers desiring
| to leave the post for the city are finding
| it difficult to obtain the necessary permis-
sion, and this leave is given for brief Pc
RODS only.
The fighting force at the fort consists Of
about 800 men. This comprises ten COM
! panes of the Twelfth infantry and six
| troops Of the Sixth cavalry. Colonel Ham,
| ilton S. Hawkins is in command of the
| infantry and post. while Lieutenant Colonel
| Henry Carroll commands the cavalry. The
colonel of the Sixth cavalry, with four
troops, is stationed at Fort Myer Va.
| Late this afternoon orders were issued
| to the troops TO give out no information OF
any character. under penalty of court-mar-
tiaI. and no one is TO be permitted to leave
the post. except where 1t is absolutely
| necessary.
| Atlanta Ga, Feb. 24-Activity has never
| been SO great at Fort Mcpherson as at the
present time. The stir is attributable TO
| General Merritt's arrival. Everything is in
readiness to move the regiment to any
point that may be designated within few
| hours.
| At u consultation to-day between Cook
I commandant OF the fort, and the railroad
officials. Colonel Cook was assured that the
men could be transported TO Florida within
| a night. IT is said Colonel Cook told the
| railroad men to have cars in the yards for
| use at any hour.
| It is thought Tonight that the outlook Is
more wariike than ever before. Every pre-
| caution Is being used TO keep down excit-
| ing talk. and reports to the effect that the
| regiment is about to move are denied by the
officers at the fort. This silence is consid-
cred ominous. as the preparations plainly
| signify that il Is not an ordinary overhaul
ing of the property and effects of the post.
\ movement may be made tomorrow or
Saturday. The objective point will be either
Jacksonville or st. Augustine.
General Merritt will go to the fort to-
morrow morning and inspect the troops
The munitions OF war have been greatly
increased during the last few days and
many of the officers are arranging their
private affairs to leave as they confidently
believe they will be called upon to do SO.
General Merritt was seen tonight and
asked if his arrival in the city was an
indication of immediate action on the part
of the regiment.
No said he. lit Is a part of my duty
to inspect each post in my division every
year and have come here merely as part
OF my routine work 1t Is not warlike
movement az ALL
San Antonio, Tex. Feb. G.-The sensa-
tion to-day at Fort Sam Houston. the
large military post at this place. was the
order from headquarters suspending for
the present the order sending Light Battery
X, First artillery, into the mountains on
its annual thirty days target practice.
The battery. consisting OF four pieces and
165 men. under the command OF Captain
Dillonback, was to have started for the
artillery target range in the mountains on
March !, but instructions have been re-
eeived 10 keep the battery at the fort I'm
. I'll further orders. Colonel Louis Fl. Car
penter. commander of Fort Sam Houston.
stated that no reasons were given for de-