The San Francisco call., 1898-06-04
TROOPS AT CAMP MERRITT
Regiments Familiar With Frontier HardShips Not in
 Second Expedition.

All sorts of rumors, generated by the exceedingly indefinite order of Thursday night, were in circulation at Camp Mer- ritt yesterday regarding the troops fol the second expedition for the Philippines The order states that the troops must be ready to leave by next Tuesday. It will | undoubtedly be several days after thai date, for aside from the fact that the transports cannot possibly be ready by the time specified, the organizations deS- ignated to form the expedition are de fcient in the way of equipment. General Merritt, according to Eastern advices, has had much to say since his appointment to the command of the eX- petition about his lack of confidence in new troops. Then with an inconsistency that Is quite refreshing he issues an or der naming not the entire Eighteenth and Twenty-third United States regiments but merely a battalion of each, and then falls back on the volunteers, selecting the Tenth Pennsylvania and First Colo rado. When 1t is considered that a month ago not company in the regular esta bliShment exceeded fifty enlisted men and that fully 40 per cent of the com mands are now composed of as raw re- cruits as can be found in the newest vol unteer organization. one fails to see where General Merritt's trained vete-
 The First Colorado is certainly as fine a command as can be found anywhere; the men are robust, well drilled and capa-
 
 are not fully equipped, and it will take some time to get them in shape for the campaign.
 The Tenth Pennsylvania has a fine rec ord, and will doubtless justify the mark of confidence General Merritt has shown it. but 1t is a small command, only eight companies, and many of the men are re- cruits. This regiment, too. is not fully equipped in the way of quartermaster stores and ordnance, there being several commands now in camp that are much
  spects.
 If General Merritt is looking for men best qualified to endure the hardships of a campaign in the Philippines he should kota and other far Western troops. These men are familiar with hardships, and probably three out of every five of them could give the hardest veteran in the regular service some valuable pointers on camp life and fighting, as they are all as familiar with the rifle as others are with the pen and yard stick.
 The following order was transmlIteo to Colonel Hale of the First Colorado yes terday, and is identical with one received by Colonel Hawkins of the Tenth Penn sylvania:
 psadouarters Independent Division Philippine
 Islands Expeditionary Forces.
 CAMP MERRITT, SAN FRANCISCO. Cal,
 ro oute the A Commanding d9 officer First Colorado Infantry United States Volunteers through Headduarters Third Brigade)-Sir: Your regi- frerit has been selected by the haJOT-IeHeral commanding the Expeditionary Forces and De- partment of Pacific for authorization to the Philippines-to embark one of the ships which will leave this port on an early date.
 You will have your command in readiness to depart by Tuesday of next week, supplied with clothing camp and garrison equipage, for a six months period of field service, and with ordnance and ordnance stores for the same period taking with you 400 rounds Of ammuni- lion per man Subsistence stores In bulk for six months will be furnished you and will be delivered at the steamers wharf in San Fran cisco. By command of
 MAJOR-GENERAL OTIS. JOHN l.. SEHON, Assistant Adjutant- General
 Including the company of engineers, the troops designated Tn the order of Wednes- day night for the expedition number ap- nroximately 2600 officers and men. The China. Zealandia, Colon, Centennial and Ohio ought to carry 4500. so that the Seventh California will probably be in- cluded in a later order. Colonel Berry re- ceiyed assurances some days ago that his command would go with the second ex- nedition, and special efforts have been made to thoroughly equip the regiment so that to-day it is better prepared for service than any other volunteer regiment in General Merritt's command.
 The quartermaster, commissary and ordnance departments may. by herculean efforts get the troops in readiness to sail by Tuesday but it is a certainty that the transports cannot now be fitted up and the stores placed on board within the time designated.