The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-23
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Camp Alger. Dunn Loring, Va, Aug.
22.-Camp is very quiet today save for
the steady undercurrent Of speculation
which is going on regarding the ques-
tion Of the regiments chances of being
sent to Cuba The same doubt and
indecision exist in this as in all other
matters Of vital interest to the men
here, Notwithstanding the expressed
opinions of some of the high military
authorities. The only thing which
seemed to Indicate that this corps
would be used as part Of the army of
occupation in Cuba was the appoint
ment Of Major General Butler as one
of the military commissioners to that
island. That was the turning point
which Immediately warranted the con-
clusion that Havana would soon be the
Thirteenth's destination.
However, the entire conduct of the
war and the fate and fortunes of this
very corps itself proves beyond
doubt nothing is, till it actually is.
Plans have been changed and adjusted
from hour to hour until it has become
impossible to conjecture what will
come next, and, to say this time this
body of men, or that, Will be sent to
Cuba on or about the first, or the mid
die of next October would be such a
fiat, palpable contradiction of the gen.
eral conduct of affairs during the pre-
sent difficulty that it is little less than
an absurdity, to state it as a certain
ity. 1t may, and it may not, you may
take your choice.
On this point one more thing sug-
hostilites it was evidently the purpose
of the administration to give, in so far
as it was possible, to each state in the
union some representation at the 'front.'
and in this respect perhaps, Pennsyl-
vania has even more than its quota.
Now will this same system be carried
out while peace is pending and after
it shall have been declared?If so then
several of the regiments of the Key
stone state will be mustered out; and
even the three here, the Eighth, Thir-
teenth and Twelfth, composing the
Third brigade of this division, would
be more than our state would be en-
titled to measured by the system and
method thus far pursued. While every
thing is possible nothing is certain,
and this is the sum total of the ques-
ton as it stands at present.
Already members of the First New
Jersey are beginning to complain Of
the Third Virginia, whose sinks, they
say, are poorly kept whose camp in
general is, according to the allegations
of the Jerseyites, in a decidedly unsan-
itary condition. One thing is certain,
typhoid is gaining ground in the new
Jersey regiment, and on Saturday In
one company alone five victims were
claimed by this dread disease. In the
other companies two men have been
falling daily and all this is charged
against the Virginians and the state
of their camp. Doubtless the attention
of higher officials will be called to the
matter, especially if this rate of sick
ness continues among the Jerseyites.
LUMBER FOR FLOORING.
1t is the purpose of the authorities
to reduce sickness and disease to the
minimum. The dews which have been
falling nights for the past week are
extraordinary heavy. The grass is
drenched and the ground is damp, and
even the tents do not prevent the
ponchos which the men wear over them
while sleeping from being wet through
and through. 1t is for the purpose of
adding something by way of conven-
fence to camp life, ana in order. at
the same time, to protect health and
life, that lumber is to be soon issued
to each regiment. 1t will be used for
tent floors, and will make the con-
ditions surrounding the men more en-
joyable and more healthful. All are
looking forward anxiously to this i'm
provement, and especially now that it
is settled that we are to remain here
long into the fall. Quartermaster Cox
expects that the lumber, at least in
part, will be received some time this
afternoon, and will be issued by him
without delay. The remainder, it is
expected, will be here in a few days.
The usual Sunday services were held
yesterday morning in this brigade. As
the Rev. Mr.. Rick, of the Twelfth had
died at his home in Williamsport, his
place was supplied in the morning at
$50 o'clock by Chaplain Stahl, who
took for his text the words: where
fore, seeing we are compassed about
with so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us lay aside every weight and the sin
that doth so easily beset u.s." Heb. xii:
!. He spoke of the strife that is go-
ing on here below, how the angels are
looking down upon sinners, how the
SlIuSBliHB
and the patriots of the past observe us
now. At 10 o'clock he returned to the
Thirteenth and held services in the
Young Mems Christian association
tent, using as his text the words OF
John tx: 4: II must work the work OF
Him that sent Me while it is day. The
night cometh." His theme was "I.ost
Opportunities" and he told his hearer:
not to lose this great opportunity OF
saving their souls and serving theil
country
The Catholic members of the regi,
ments went to East Falls church ant
attended the mass celebrated there by
Rev. Father Bowler.
Several new additions and improve
ments have been made to the condi
tions Of soldier life here. Quartermas
ter Cox has been working indefatigably
since his return to camp a few day,
ago. The Myers Military Stove" ha,
been issued to each company. 1t has ;
stove pipe attached and tin boilers
1t Is very handy, though somewha
small, and is a winter addition of tn,
'buzacotte stove"
A number of new tents have beer
Issued and this is certainly one OF tn,
greatest and most needed of improve
mentS. MANY of the old tents ware al