The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-02


inridge continues his inspection and is do
ing much good toward getting the various
regiments in serviceable condition.
General Fred d. Grant to-day took the
oath as brigader general, and the cere-
mony was one of intense interest. The
oath was administered by Judge George A.
Harris, of Rome, Ca, an ex-Confederate,
and the ceremony was witnessed by a large
concourse of people, in which were Confed-
crates and ex-federal soldiers. General
Grant expressed great satisfaction that he
should have the privilege of assuming the
obligations of his office from so distin-
guished a Confederate, and when the cere-
mony was over great shout went up, the.
first man to shake hands and congratulate
the distinguished officer being Major George
L. Gillespie, of this city, who was with
General Lee when he surrendered at Apo
mattox. The scene was one unique in the
history of the country, and the incident Gre
ated the greatest enthusiasm, which broke
into cheers that almost shook Missionary
ridge when General Grant said "Shake
hands, not over bloody chasm, but on
the soil of a country one in its loyalty to
the one flag"
There are probably 200 soldiers of the va
r1ous regiments who are sick at division
hospitals, in view of which the Chattanooga
branch of the National Relief Committee
have authorized the statement that they are
now ready to receive any contribution that
may be sent from the various States for the
relief and sustenance of the sick. Supplies
may be sent I'd DR.. w. ]. Trimble, president
of the branch. or to George w. Ochs, secre-
tary, and ex-mayor of the city. who will see
that everything reaches it's proper destina-
ton. This branch of the committee has the
Endorsement of the authorities and relieves
the hospital department from the care and
distribution of such supplies.
A. c. Post, of Company c, Fifth Illinois,
Canton, ILL.,. died last night, and the re-
mains were shipped to his family to-day.
He was a member of the knights of Pyth-
las, and large detachment from the local
lodges accompanied the remains to the de-
pot.
Private e. I. Thompson, of Company l.,
Fifth Maryland, son of Captain Thompson,
of Company c, of the same regiment was
drowned this afternoon while bathing in
Chickamauga creek. The body was recov-
cred and brought to this city, whence it will
be shipped tomorrow to Baltimore, Captain
Tnompson'S home.
Major Shiba, of the Japanese army, who
has been here watching the organization of
the volunteer army, left tonight for Tam
pa Major Shiba, when asked what he
thought of the army. said 'It is simply
marvellous" He will ask to accompany the
army of invasion to be sent to Cuba.
-Four carloads of horses and mules were
received at the park to-day. Supplies of all
descriptions continue to come in by the car
load
Lieutenant Colonel Hartsuff chief sur
geon on General Brooke's staff, and Lieut..
Colonel Nicholas Sem, assistant surgeon
general of the volunteer army, tonight
confirmed the statement that Mrs. Letter
had bought the Chickamauga Hotel prop
erty, had rendered it to the government for
hospital purposes and the tender had been
accepted. Colonel Hartsuff said that the
work of transforming the building into hos
pital wards would be begun at once The
property includes the hotel and four acres
of ground, the price paid being $4,000.
The most interesting feature of the day
was the sham battle between the Second and
Third divisions of the First Corps. Nine
regiments composed the attacking and de-
Tending armies, 1900 men in all, and the
maneuvering became intensely exciting.
When columns met the fence encounter it
was with great difficulty that the enthusias-
tic young soldiers were prevented by their Of
ticerS from violence. The movements were
reviewed by Inspector General Breekn-
ridge and staff, who expressed the greatest
admiration for the activity and precision
with which, the orders of the commanding
officers were carried out. During the en-
gagement Lieutenant Colonel John Jacob
Astor, who was greatly interested in the
battle, became detached from the generals
staff. was surrounded by the enemy and
hoi ia1 off
when an officer interfered and ordered his
release.
Colonel Grigsby was to-day appointed to
command the First Brigade of cavalry of
the volunteer army, being the ranking
colonel in the brigade.
Twenty-Five Hotchkiss field guns were
received at the ordnance department and
will be distributed among the artillery bat
teries tomorrow.