The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-11
AT CAMP
TUNNELL.
Soldiers Still Hope to Be
Sent to the Front. Cos
sip of the Camp.


among the troops In connection with their
departure from this State on coast de-
tense duty, but no active preparations are
being made for breaking camp. The men
know that they cannot go until they are
mustered in, and that they cannot be mus
tered In until their full quota is reached.
The men who fail to pass the physical ex-
sminationshave to be replaced, aud it will
take several days before this will be &C
complishe1.
The mastering In and examinations are
being rushed with all the rapidity possible.
Some say that four or i've days will pre-
pare the command for mastering, but 1t
IL thought by many Of the officers that the
troops cannot leave before Wednesday Of
next week.
The camp was moved to the new 81 ght
during the dsy. 1t was . novel sight and
attracted many visitors.
Some curious incidents have resulted
from the operation Of the two sets of
guards, and some Of the officers of one
body have experienced difficulty In cross
Ing the lines of the other, privates hold.
ing them up at the point Of the bayonet.
The first counters1gn was given out last
night. Tho men have drawn two days
rations from the Government and are well
pleased with what they get
On account of the bad weather, the men
who are now in the United States service
have had very little riffs practice, but 1t is
hoped to drill Them more in this respect
before they are ordered away.
Governor Tunnel to-day issued com.
missions to the officers Of tho First Bat
TALON. On the strength Of these, United
States commissions will bs issued and all
of the officers will retain their positions.
Trouble is brewing in Company II of
New Castle, and unless something is done
they may not be mustered in to morrow.
Lieutenant A Brown Lancaster failed to
pass the required examination 1t Is stated,
and Chauncey p. Holcomb was commits.
stoned lieutenant in his place. The mem.
bers of the company, however. Insist on hav.
ing Lieutenant Lancaster and petition
signed by 80 members of the company has
been sent 10 Governor Tunuell. The men
claim they will retu II to New Castle to.
morrow unless theyare assured Lieutenant
Lancaster will be commissioned.
The day was spent in drilling and in
large prac ice, The men are graJifiei at
the offer Of Samuel H. Baynard of Will
ming on to present trophy for marks.
manship.
Concerning the arming Of. tho regiment
there is much speculation. This guns
which the men havs now arc Anticipated
affairs and would be of little use in mod
EN- battle. Thu government Is expected
by the officers to furnish modern rifles
but Just when these rifles will arrive no
one seems to know The first duty is to
muster in the men and other details will
follow,
The regiment officers believe that there
Is still some chance Of their being ordered
to the front. IL Is said orders hwe been
received not to give any men Of the regi-
ment transfer to another regiment, indi'
eating, the office think that the COM
Mand may be needed as 1t stands.
The Ladies' Auxiliary ID working hard
to supply tho soldiers with what they need
and will keep up the organization while
the regiment is az the front.
Now that the weather permits the per.
Torrance OF the ceremony of mastering
IN tho open air 1t seams to be more inter-
esting than ever. Visitors appear to find
1t the great attraction Of tho day. The
men OF each command are lined up in
double file, with their officers In front.
Each takes his campaign ha5 Or cap in
his lefo hand AMI stands uncovered with
right hand up!ifted, while Lieutenant
Gordon reads the oath. Every one else
also unoovers. and when the company re-
spends with the II do in union that
makes th9 velkin ring, there always fol-
lows II ruusing cheer from the onlookers
and IN answering shout from the soldiers
themselves
Now that good weather is here there Is
universal gonh humor all over the camp.
Some OF tho officers, however, have b,cp
somewhat annoyed by criticisms that have
been made in ceriain quarters concerning
the management and unnecessary ex-
posture of the soldiers. Tho charges are
absolutely without foundation, and do
great injustice TO tho officers. The Ma
tional Guard OF Delaware Is u very superb
or body of men, and its officers are of ex-
cellcnt material. The men NJ camp ha"e
gone through an experience since last
Tu: sLay week, which proves them to DO Il
mos spendid body of soldiers They are
forced by circumstances to IN dergo hard
ships but such hard ships are only Incl
dents in the life of body of soldiers in the
field.
The charge Of being without the proper
food was also exaggerated. AS far as pos
sible everything was done for their COM
fort No doubt there were II few men who
did not get enough to cat but ON the whole
the needs OF the occasion ware that q man
should bear such discOmforts as there
were with soldiery fortitude, and this is
what the men of the camp displayed. If
th7ro il any responsibility for the hard
ships 1t should be entirely with the element
over which soldiers, officers and CIVILIANS
have no control.
Several recruits vera added to Com
punles II and ii to-day to give them their
quota. 1t is thought that Lciutenant-Col-
onel Stevenson will be mustered in with
the companies, after which he will assume
command OF the second battalion, pOr-
ton OF which the companies will consti-
tute.