Fair play., 1898-07-02
OFF FOR THE PHILIPPINES.
The Third Expedition Embarks at San
Francisco cO-Accorded an Ovation
by Admitting Multitudes.

SAN Francisco, June 2S.-Four thou.
sand men, comprising the third eXpe-
dition to the Philippines, embarked
early yesterday afternoon, and soldiers
now swarm in the holds and upon the
decks of the steamers Ohio, Indiana,
City of Para and Morgan City. To-day
the steamer Valencia will receive her
complement of the military, and these
five transports, bearing the bulk of the
expeditiOnary force, will probably sail
this afternoon, to be followed on
Wednesday by the steamer Newport,
upon which Gen. Merritt is expected
to depart.
Camp Merritt presented a busy scene
yesterday morning. The orders issued
to the troops which are to compose the
third expedition to the Philippines
served to keep many Ofthe men awake,
SO excited were they over the anticipa-
| tion of an early start for the Philip
pines. All night long the camp cooks
| worked to prepare the last breakfast
in the camp for the departing soldiers,
and to get the one day 5 cooked ratiOns
| with which the order to embark said
the men must be supplied with. This
work required the aid of many pri-
Yates, and the noise caused by hurried
preparations made sleep almost impos-
sible.
During the morning hours carloads
/ upon carloads of people We're landed
| near the regimental camps, and it is
said that at least 300 persons visited
the camp before orders to march were
| given. Very few visitors to the camp
went out empty-handed. Many We're
the packages containing little ne
cessities and delicacies packed ur
with the luggage of the departing
! troops. Many of them who had not
received comfort bags" were supplied
with this little necessity to health
| fui soldier life, and the absolute
| ly necessary abdominal bandage
was furnished those of the depart
| ing men who had not received
them. Bouquets of beautiful Cal
| ifornia flowers were distributed among
the men in large quantities, and many
a rifle barrel was made pleasantly heav-
ier by floral decorations.
Shortly after ii o'clock the sounding
| of bugles announced to the civilians
and soldiers alike that time for part
| ing had come, and the soldiers mus.
| form for the march to the water front
where the transports awaited them.
Along the entire extent OF the five
mile march an escort squad of police
was obliged to force back the throngs
progress of the departing companies
The soldiers We're checred at every
step, good byes and good wishes were
momentarily shouted; hand flags were
| waved. flowers were thrown and every
where emotion was visible, as when
the First California regiment OF San
| Francisco boys marched away.
1t was Il long, hot tramp over tn,
| cobblestones. but willing hands
brought glasses of water for thirsty
| lips. and each enlisted man would hav,
required an orderly to carry all tn.
parcels which We're pressed upon his
acceptance.
When the triumphal march ended
and the soldiers We're taken on board
their respective transports they were
| given a tremendous ovation by thou
sands of citizens who swarned on and
around the wharvcs. 1t was an emo
tional as well as physical relief
| when the cmhariatiO was an accom-
| piished fact.