River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-09-08
VISITS SICK HEROES.
President Mckinley Greeted by
Troops at Camp Wikoff.
Closely Inspects the Hospitals and
General Camp-PrRises the SOL
dfers who stood Ready for
the Brunt of Battle.

hours in the camp saturday, pare
headed most of the time, visiting he
sick in the hospitals and inspecting the
well in their environments. He made
speech to the assembled nfantrymen.
reviewed the cayalrymen, expressed
his opinion of the camp TO the report
ers, and issued an order directing the
regulars to return to their stations
east of the Mississippi.
On the train returning to New York
Mr.. Mckinley made this statement:
II was very much pleased to meet the
heroes of Santiago and to observe
their splendid spirit. What l saw of
the care of the sick men in the hos
pitfalls by those in charge, and by the
noble women engaged in that work,
was especially gratifying to me-"
Gen. Wheeler arranged for the in
spection party TO go through the de-
tention camp, past Gen. Skaters tent,
where the president could greet the
commander of the Santiago forces.
With the president, besides the sec
rotary Of war, We're:
Vice President Hobart, Attorney General
Grlggs, Senator Redfield Proctor, Of Yer
mont; Brig. Gen Egan, Brig. Gen Lud-
ington, Mai. Webb c. Hayes, son of the
late President Hayes: Col. M T. Herrick.
of Cleveland: William Mckinley Barber.
of Canton, o.; II. II. Herrick. of Cleve-
land Secretary Porter and Assistant Sec
rotary Cortelyou.
The ladies of the party were Mrs. Alger
and Miss Hecker.
Mai. Gen. Wheeler was surrounded
by a number of his staff. The car
riages, preceded by the cavalry, wound
up the hill to Gen. Wheeler's head
quarters From there the president
drove through the detention camp to
Mai Gen. Skaters tent. The gen
eral was in full uniform, but his face
was flushed with fever. He endeay-
ored to rise from the chair in which
ne sat as the president entered the
tent
Don't get up, general" said Mr..
Mckinley, as they shook hands. You
are entitled to rest. How are your"
"A little achy," replied the general,
"but otherwise all right"
Inspects the Camp.
The president went into the tents
alone or with Gen. Wheeler and made
a personal inspection. The tents were
in admirable condition. Everything
was clean and attractive, and the wan
patients smiled joyfully as the presi-
dent went to them grasping many
by the hand, as if they were his own
brothers and sons. So the visiting was
continued from tent to tent, from d.
vision to division until the entire camp
had been inspected
introduced by Gen. Wheeler.
A visit was paid to the infantry plain,
where the cheering was prolonged and
the men showed themselves in high
spirits. Men of the Ninth Massachu-
setts, First Illinois, Eighth Ohio and
Thirteenth, Twenty-frst, Twenty-sec-
ond and Twelfth regular infantry were
assembled without arms. About 5000
stood in close order and Gen. Wheeler
said
THE president of our great country has
come here to greet the soldiers who
marched so CALAMITY up San Juan hill on
July /. He comes here to express the ma
TONS thanks to these brave men. wish
to tell you that when the president sent me
here. two weeks ago, to command this
ramp he enjoined mo in the most emphatic
language that l should, without regard to
expense. exercise any and every authority
necessary TO make comfortable this body
of brave men, who, by their courage. have
raised this republic to the highest position
among the great nations of the earth.
have the honor and pleasure Of introducing
to you the president of the United States"
speech by the President.
When the cheering subsidized Presl-
dent Mckinley responded as follows:
Gen. Wheeler Soldiers of Camp Wikoff
Soldiers of the Fifth Army Corps: trust
that you will put your hats on-I am glad
to meet you / am honored to stand be-
fore you to-day. l bring you the gratitude
of the nation to whose history you have
added by your valor new and glorious
page You have come home after two
months of severe campaigning, which has
embraced assault. siege and battle, so brill
liant in achievement, so far-reachisg in re-
suits as to command the unStlnted praise
of all your countrymen.
You had the brunt OF the battle on land
You bore yourselves with supreme courage,
and your personal bravery, never before ex-
celled anywhere, has won the admiration
of your fellow citizens and the genuine re-
spect of all mankind, while your endurance
under peculiar trial and suffering has
given added meaning to your heroism
Your exertions made easy the conquest of
Puerto Rico under the res!stless army com
manQeQ by MAI. zen. Mics, ana DenlEu
you to proceed at a moments summons,
were more than 100000 Of your comrades,
ready TO support you, disappointed that the
opportunity which you had did not come to
them, yet filled with pride at your we'll
earned fame and rejoicing over your ssg-
nal victories.
You were on the line of battle-they, no
less than you, were in the line of duty. ALI
have served their country In its need, all
will serve it so long as they may be re-
quired, and all will forever have the thanks
and regard of a grateful people.
I'VE cannot bid you welcome here to-
day without our hearts going out to the
heroes of Manila on sea and on land, whose
services and sacrifices, whose courage and
constancy in that far-dstant field of OPP
erations have never been surpassed by
any soldiers or sailors the world over.
ITO the army and the navy, TO the ma
rines, to the regulars, to the volunteers and
to that Providence which has watched over
them all the nation to-day Is full Of thanks
giving and praise. The brave officers and
men who fell In battle and those who have
died from exposure and sickness will live
in immortal story and their memories will
be perpetuated in the hearts and the his
tories Of a generous people, and those who
are dependent upon them will not be neg
leCted by the government for which they so
freely sacrificed their lives.