The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-04
AWAITING ORDERS
NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ON TIP
TOE OF EXPECTANCY
MAY Be MUSTERED IN
THE ORDER LOOKED FOR WITHIN
A FEW HOURS
THEIR SERVICES ACCEPTED
An Important Dispatch Received at
Headquarters Last Night-The
Philippines or Cubap

All muster rolls for this state have al
the United States mastering officer, and
he alone, apparently, can tell when the
troops from this section will be called out
Doubtless he himself is awaiting definite
instructions from Washington before he
releases them to brigade commanders. In
San Francisco men are being mustered in
though where they will be sent to has not
yet been decided. 1t Is probable that there
Is some latent government reason for with
| holding the rolls from this division.
The National guard boys of the city are
iubilant now. for information from Wash
ington has been read to them that they
believe to be decisive, and they expect to
be called upon and mustered in within
day or two. In their exuberance of en-
thusiasm they feel themselves already in
camp or on battlefield.
Last night while Company A was drill
Ing Colonel Berry made his appearance
and interrupted the practice of the troops
long enough to read them dispatch that
had been received at headquarters here
from the secretary of war. 1t was to the
ELECT THAT the department dCccPleu
the services of the First and Seventh reg
iments of the National guard of this state,
which had been rendered some time ago.
They will be mustered In ''as soon as pos
sible." as the telegram somewhat indefi-
nitely stated and they should be examined
by the brigade surgeon Immediately. The
two regiments were instructed to be in
readiness for an instant call.
This is considered to be In the nature of a
preliminary notice and further for the pur-
pose of keeping the boys in good spirits
and hopes, and to temporarily appease
their anxiety. 1t had wider effect than
that, however, for they are now waiting
patiently for the real call that they have
been assured Of for the past two weeks.
There was the widest cheering and en-
thusiasm when Colonel Berry finished
reading the pleasurable news. The boys
shook hands with one another and much
excitement prevailed for several minutes.
All but two Of the young men declared
themselves ready for immediate service,
and those who said they could not go are
men of family with many depending upon
them for support.
Orders were given for Companies A, C
and F. which form the local guard, to ap-
pear at the armory every night until fur
Their orders and be prepared to drill. Never
before have they so willingly acquiesced
to orders.
Around the armory It Is thought that
the men will leave for San Francisco, the
probable state rendezvous, tomorrow night
or some time during Friday. What they
are looking for now are the muster rolls,
for without them they can do nothing, and
as yet they are still mere civilians.
In the Seventh regiment there are twelve
companies, or 1885 men, not including Col
Berry. Companies A, c and F are Of this
city, and the others are located as follows:
b, San Diego, r. v. Dodge captain; D,
Pomona, w. s. Winters captain; E, Santa
Paula, c. w. Metcalf captain; G, Red
lands, E. ]. Underwood captain; H, Ven
tura, Albert w. Browne captain; I, Pas
adena, N. s. Bangham captain; X, San
Bernardino. T. H. Golf captain; L, Santa
Ana, S. H. Finley captain; M, Riverside.
]. A. Eason captain.
None of the National guardsmen seem
to think that they will remain in this state
after being mustered in. They do not adj
vance any particular argument in behalf
of their beliefs, but say that circumstances
recently developed force that conclusion.
Since Commodore Dewey's little affair
at Manila the majority seem to think that
the Philippine islands is the country they
should and will be sent to, as they are al
ready on the Pacific coast, within easy
distance of San Francisco, and that by
sending them to any land in the Pacific
ocean the government would save money.
Others, again, hope it will be Cuba, and
do not think that the distance makes any
material difference with the war depart
ment. Most of the boys say If the matter
were left to their choosing they would Sc
lect Cuba for there, they think, they can
get the kind of fighting they are looking
for.
The brigade officers were closeted in their
private office at the armory last night UNI
til midnight awaiting news from Sacra-
mento or Washington. The muster rolls
are what they expected, but, so far as
known, they did not arrive. There was an
effort at absolute secrecy among the staff
Captain Darlington, the muster officer,
Is expected in the city today or tomorrow.
and then, perhaps, there will be interesting
news. AS yet everything is more or less