The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-25
BATES PAYS TRIBUTE
MAJOR GENERAL COMPARTMENTS
THIRD REGULARS ON THEIR
SANTIAGO ACHIEVEMENTS
HE is GRATEFUL TO THEM.
Credits His Subsequent Promotion
in No Small Measure to the I'm
finching Bravery and Unfalter-
ing Loyalty of the Men In His
Command, Specially Mentioning
the Third and Twentieth.


the Third and Twentieth.
A copy of a letter written by Maj.
Gen. ]. c. Bates to the commanding
officer of the First brigade army corps,
was received yesterday at Fort Smell
ing, in which the Third United States
infantry is given due credit for the
part which it took in the campaign
before Santiago de Cuba, in terms
which can leave no room for doubt in
the minds of all, of the high regard
with which the gallant Third ard its
officers are held by those in command
at the siege Of Santiago.
A great deal has been said about
the bravery of other regiments, but
little was heard OF the Third infantry,
when in reality it occupied throughout
the entire siege most important and
dangerous position. Gen. Bates was at
the time in command OF the brigade,
and his letter speaks Of the Smelling
regiment in most gratifying terms. A
copy of the letter was posted yester-
day In each of the company quarters
at the fort, and is as follows;
Headquarters Third Division, Fifth Army
Corps, Camp Wikof, Sept! i9.-As. the division
you that 1 take great pride in the bravery
and excellent conduct of the officers and men
OF the Third and Twentieth United states IN
fantry during the campaign against Santiago
de Cuba.
1 was surprised and panied to learn that the
corps commander in congratulating the troops
upon their success obtained upon July l, made
no mention at all Of the part taken by the
Third and Twentieth infantry.
Gen. Shafter admitted to me that this was
an injustice and promised to right IT.
I was promoted shortly after that battle,
and cannot but feel that this was in a large
measure. due to the unflinching devotion to
duty and bravery of my brigade. They bore
the tiresome watches and subsequent hard
ships, and fighting in the trenches before
Santiago with patience and fortitude and 1t
is with great regret that l see such excellent
troops pass from my command.
u. G. Bates,
Major General United States Volunteers.
The letter caused a great deal of
satisfaction among the men, as it is
the first official recognition they have
had Of their services in the most i'm
portant engagement of the Spanish
war.
The death of Rollin P. Converse in
the general hospital at Fort Mcpherson
was officially reported by the war de-
partment to the department of the Da-
kotas yesterday. Private Converse was
among the detachment tof recruits
which left st. Paul shortly after the
Third left for the seat of war
Every day sees q few arrivals at the
fort from the general hospital at Camp
Wikoff and Montauk Point. Nearly
all the Minnesota men in hospitals in
the East are making great strides to-
wards recovery, and next week will
mark the arrival of a large number
of convalescents on furlough.
At present there are. sixty mine en-
listed men and nom commissioned off,
GERS at Fort Smelling who are members
Of regiments which have been muster
ed out Of the service during their alb
sence on furlough. An order received
direct from Washington yesterday, by
the department, gives 1.-THE officials at
the fort authority to muster them out
Of the service after the post surgeon
has made the necessary physical ex-
animation.
Church services will be held in the
post chapel this morning at 10 a. m.
Rev. Father Hart will officiate and the
occasion will be one Of special PRAYER
ofs thankfulness for the success OF the
American army on Cuban soil
Sergeant Major Young was at his desk
again yesterday for the first time since