Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-25
SAYS REGULARS NEED REST.
oRecruiting Oficer' Opposes Sending
Veterans TO Cuba.

| To the Editor OF the New York Herald;
It is reported from the War Depart
| ment that the regulars who have been at
Montauk Point are to be sent to Cuba In
October 1t is almost impossible 10 De
lieye that the Secretary OF war WILL III
view of the many animadversions on hls
administration of army affairs. invite tur-
| Their criticisms by so cruel and uncalleo-
for an action.
Let us make plain and easily-unuer-
stood statement of the case.
These troops were sent to Monsauk
Point to recuperate after the rigors OF the
Santiago campaign, where, having es-
capped the bullets of the enemy every
man has either contracted the ever al
ready, and is yet suffering from its ell
fects. or he will sooner or later, is sure
as he lives, have the fever developed IN
his system. wherein it's seeds were plant
ed during his service through the I'M
healthy Cuban summer at Santiago.
Many months must elapse before these
troops will be fit for active service IN the
field least of all in Cuba, which has
moved fatal TO many Of their comrades.
The majority of the men will, II given
the time fully to recover their normal
strength be fit for garrison duty when
chartered in their healthy and comforta-
BILE barracks.
II Is a very easy matter to issue An
order affecting the health and even the
lives of men who have done their pest
TO prove their devotion to their country.
But surely such men deserve careful,
and at least just, treatment. There are
regiments Of regular infantry, artillery,
and cavalry which have never left the
limited States during this war These are
the regulars that should form part OF
The army of occupation OF CUBA.
When one speaks of sending TO Cuba a
regiment of regulars he Is supposed TO
mean a reglment-that is ten companies
OF about a hundred men each, or 'otai
# 4 thousand men In the regiment But
nearly half of each of those regiments
4 regulars lately at Montauk are no
,onger with the colors. Most OF that half
ire dead or invaded, many yet in hos
,ltals or slowly recovering at their
.omes. To fill up the vacancies occa-
Toned thus by death and disease large
lumbers of raw recruits have been as
ilgned 10 these regiments.
These green men have not been drilled
= disciplined, and IL will take months 10
.nure them to the hardships OF sol
dier's life. Like many of the recruits that
were sent to these very regiments last
spring. they do not know how to load,
much less fire, a musket.
These men who were in the Santiago
campaign should not be sent back 70
Cuba because they are not mt to 90. ana
II is simply cruel nay, even neartless, 10
think of sending them when there are
other regulars who have not yet hao the
chance. for distinction that they have a
right to expect
And let the unframed recruits have the
time % ACQUIRE the use or their arms
while their older comrades recuperate al
their posts ard assist In the disciplining
OF the new men,
There is one thing more TO De said
about this matter. Regulars will not COM
Main. IL is true, but when. justly or un-
t,stly they have come TO think that their
suneriors do not consider their welfare or
do not treat them as brave men should
treat their COM AIDES, however inferior
tbeir rank. then those regulars Will not re-
snIist. their places are filled by raw, igno-
80, men who can find no way 10 make
living except that of being soldiers.
Tban the standard, the character. OF the
a,,,staa man deteriorates. and the army
~ snlendid. non-complaining regulars be-
lines mob of hirelings. who are ready
~ desert whenever anything better offers
itself. 40. 49,,
shera and who are strong and healthy,
"a Give the veterans mtch-deserved
a ras, RECRUITING OFFICER.
New York. September 20. 1888.