New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-14
THE ASTOR BATTERY STARTS.
FIRST STAGE OF THE JOURNEY TO THE
PHILIPPINES.

THEIR WAY TO THE TRAIN AT JERSEY CITY.
II there happier crowd of men In the
vicinity Of New-York yesterday than the members
OF the Astor Battery II would have been difficult
TO find them. When the revee sounded at
a. m. the men wondering If 1t to be
another day in camp whether the rumor that
start TO he made would he verified In fact
All doubt was set at rest at o cock, when Cap
tain March gave orders TO break camp. The order
TO move had come on Sunday afternoon. but was
known only to the officers The members of the
battery worked with will. and by 10 o'clock the
tents were down. knapsacks and haversacks were
filled and the two baggage wagons were loaded
AT little before the made, the
objective point being the Van Nest station Of the
New-York New Haven and Hartford Railroad
IL was at the hottest time Of the day. and for
some reason. known only TO Captain March. In
stead OF taking the direct road, covering about half
a mile the men were marched by circutous route
OF nearly three miles through the broiling sun.
Very little complaint was heard. however. and on
the whole most of the men bore the march splen
didly. The only man who succumbed to the heat
was Corporal A. w. watterson. who. oddly enough,
has several years service in India with the
British Army.
AS soon his condition noticed there
calls for Dan" Priabl. who is known every
bodys friend" in the battery, and who has nursed
several Of the boys when they have been III. AS
usual Dams" CHEEKY words accompanied by
timely applications Of cracked Ice had n beneficial
effect and the sick man soon able to cit up
comfortably IN the wagon, where he had been
placed. In addition TO carrying sixty pounds OF
baggage each the obliged to drag the
heavy Hotchkiss guns and they tired lot.
When about 2 o'clock Van Nest station was sighted
they too tired to cheer. but the vigorous way
in which they tugged at the guns indicated that
the prospect OF reaching their first stop had had
good effect on their spirits
II was thought that a special train for the bat
would arrive Nest o'clock The
order to halt was given, and the men threw them
selves on the grass. opened their knapsacks and
refreshed themselves with the cheese sandwiches
which had been distributed rations before
leaving camp. They washed these down with
swigs from their canteens Brother Josephus OF the
New-York Catholic Protectory. at Van Nest. sent
down two large cans Of oatmeal water, which
served to allay the mems thirst. and much
appreciated. little later boys with pies and
sandwiches and the omnipresent lemonade
appeared, and did thriving business. The mail
was distributed at Van Nest, and happy
faces were evident as a result.
LITTLE DIVERSION.
As the afternoon wore on and the train failed
to arrive the men started In TO enjoy themselves.
The resources OF the Aston Battery unlim-
tied. 1t would be difficult to find a finer lot Of
men. and in addition to brains and refinement the
members are talented in many ways. Sergeant
Cremns surrounded by a group who listened
intenty to tales Of the service he had seen as a
member Of the Royal British Artillery. The sergeant
has rich brogue. which adds little to the effect
OF his yarns. He is modest. too and when a par
ticularly good story was greeted by the boys with
the words. "As you wurra." the sergeant blushed
like a debuntante.
The expression Is current In the battery. II has
It's origin In the fact that when Sergeant Cremins
wishes revoke an order at drill he invariably
rolls out. AS you wurra," to the constant delight
Of the
Sharing Creminss popularity Long Jim
Woods OF Texas who Is the best pistol shot in the
battery, and Lieutenant Koeher. for whom tho
boys cannot say enough. About o'clock pair Of
wandering musicians. with harp and flute appeared
on the platform. and their services were IN demand
at once 1t was pretty sight 10 see Long jim
approach one OF his fellow artillerymen and. rats
Ing his hat. inquire II he might have the pleasure
Of the next waltz" And that waltz! 1t would have
made the Bowery green with envy. and II some OF
tho Astoriteo' friends could have seen It thcy
would have had several points in ballroom
quette The waltz was followed by exhibitions OF
clog and Jig dancing by the artierymen. and the
fun wound UP with several songs. e
Another member Of the battery who seldom
talks but who has plentiful supply Of interesting
stories when started. is W. A. F!shbaugh. who
was IN tho South African field force with Cecil
Rhodes. Ffshbaugh has been In many a hot fight
with tho Kaffirs, and he carries honorable dis
charge with him In his knapsack.
Private DIXON mas q medal earned Tor bravery IN
India. Also and Private Wentlaufer has beer an
Indian fighter In the West.
The men beginning to feel tagged out about
this time. and 1t ia doubtful II they would have
shown much zeal in handling baggage n
their sport II the Catholic Protectory had not
again TO the Just the train
pulling into the station the Protectory Band com
posed Of fifty boys playing brass instruments.
marched to the station. led by Of the brothers
CHEERS FOR NATIONAL AIR
As the order to load tho given the band
struck up The Star Spangled Banner" The srtil-
lerymen removed their hats. and cheer after cheer
rent the air The music put life into the men.
and they worked like TroJans. In less than twenty
minutes the cars were loaded. and amid the cheers
Of the villagers and the music Of the Protectory
lads the train started from the station. The train
consisted of three Pullman seepers and two bag
We're loaded on the New-York. New Haven and
Hartford transpor, Express which Is the fastest
lerymen quickly forsook the cars and swarmed to
Is pn Of fve1
the S 1ScSy .s s 70 work to
resurrect It. An old mop-handle was brought into
When the men started to unfurl It they were
greeted with derisive cries from their comrades
In their the Jealous youths had attached the
nag to the staff upside down This was quickly
fSe breeze At the same time he ensign OF the
Aston Battery. crossed cannons OF gold on a red
ground, unfured amid cheers and the cry:
Who
VINO we?
The boys Of the Aston Battery.
NOISY GREETING ON THE RIVER.
Notwithstanding the fact that 1t was not gen.
orally known that the battery would 90 down the
river the news seemed 10 have spread quickly and
from every house flags, handkerchief and hats
were waved The shore lined with people.
and even the naked small boys stopped swimming.
ola mbered on the rocks and waved their shirts
hicb in tho mir II seemed as II all the tugs and