Evening star., 1898-05-21

posed of Col. Luke Kelly. Major Frank A.
Butts. Capt VIM. Peddle, Capt. NJ. M.
Whitney, Sergeant W. 2. Douglass. Capt.
c. D. Stephens. Sergeant Henry Zell. Capt.
p. J. Duffy and Sergeant c. B. Laner.
| Col John Finn of the War Department,
| made the presentation speech. He said:
Major Urell: Your comrades of encamp-
| ment 69, Union Veteran Legion. visit Camp
! Alger today to pay our respects and like
| wise to present to you a token OF remem-
| brance. From time immemorial it has been
| the custom to recognize valor. We, your
comrades Of the legion, have knowledge of
| your qualifications as soldier, many OF
| Us having served in the same brigade with
| you in the old second army corps. while
| others represent the first, third fifth. sixth
eleventh and twelfth corps. Army Of the
Potomac.
THE encampment takes this occasion.
| through the comrades here assembled. to
| present to you this pair of field glasses,
which it is hoped you will accept and
| which may prove Of service to you. When
| they are I'm use 1t will be reminder that
| our prayers go forth for You and your gal
| liant battalion Of the First District Volun-
| teers
1T would appear ridiculous for any one
of the organizations Of which you are
| member to even intimate an attempt to
been made on all the battfefields. from
| Bull Run to Appomattox. From April, 1851,
to 1865 you were at the front. From May,
| 1893, until the close Of the present conflict
your address will be at the extreme front
| II your wishes are considered.
| Former Scenes Recalled.
| During the war of 1851 you. sir, were
| one Of those who were honored with a con-
| gressonal medal for gallant and distin-
guished conduct in the battle OF Bristow
Station, Va, in 1858, when, as a color
| guard. you carried the old flag of the SD
| New York Volunteers far to the front, and
| after having been severely wounded, you
| yet held old Glory to the breeze until re-
lieved by one of your color guard Should
| the opportunity develop by which our boys
of the 1st District should become engaged
in battle, it is our prediction that second
| medal of honor will be presented you by
| the Congress of the United States and
| with It star
In conclusion, permit me to say that
we will expect to hear good reports from
| front think Of your comrades. We will
ever keep you in mind. When you are
scanning the field through this glass in
quest of the enemy, at home will be
scanning the daily press, eager for news
of you and your brave men, or perhaps at
| times We may examine another kind of
| glass that does not possess such magnify
ing power: but ever and always our toast
will be 'Urell and his brave District volun
| teers.'"
| Col. Finn then presented the field glasses
| sentation committee. Maj Urell responded
| briefly. thanking his comrades in fitting
terms for their thoughtfulness. and assur-
ing them of his appreciation of the favor
| and the kind words expressed by item
| through their spokesman.
Mail Facilities.
According to the present plans of the
Post Office Department mail for the volun-
| teer camp at Woodburn Manor will be han
died through the post Office at West End,
Va, which is on the line of the Southern
railway about one mile beyond Falls
Church and about the same distance from
Camp Alger, where the troops are con-
centrating Arrangements have been made
for extra pouches on the trains going to
and from West End, and at present there
will be six mails daily received and dis
patched from the West End office. Sunday
there will be two mails each way.
From West End the mail will be con-
veyed to the camp by soldiers designated
convenience Of the camp the postmaster
at West End has arranged to have a man
open temporary Office at the camp for
the purpose of stamping the mail and send
1t in pouches to West End, where 1t will
be loaded on the passing trains. The dis
tribution. however, will take place at the
West End Office and will be taken to the
camp by mail orderlies from the different
companies. 1t 10 possible that this ar
rangement may be improved later, II 1t
does not prove satisfactory.
Famous Sixth Massachusetts.
The 9Th Regiment of Massachusetts, Vol
unteers. now ON its way to Camp Alger.
near Falls Church. Is somewhat conspicu-
GUS among the volunteer organizations from
the fact that 1t has an entire company Of
colored men in its ranks. commanded by
men of the same race. Thcss of1cers1Capt.
William Williams and Lieuts. Jackson and
'Braxton-are the frst colored men in the
history of the United States toreceive COM
missions In the United States, service In
time Of war This company Is the only one
in Massachusetts, OF negroes mustered Into
the United States service, and 1t ts the only
company Of cofored troops in the country
attached to and forming part Of regiment
of white troops. The 9th Massachusetts,
Regiment is famous as the one which was
attacked by a mob in Baltimore at the out
break of the civil war. 1t Is expected to
pass through that city this afternoon and
to arrive at Camp Alger befors nightfall.
Seven Thousand I'm Camp.
At sundown last evening 1000 volunteers
were under canvas at Camp Alger, near
Falls Church, Va During the day the
number Of men In camp was more than
doubled, and 1t would have been trebled
had all the troops that arrived here been
able to 60 in camp. The regiments actually
in camp were the 9Th, 8th, 18th and 18th
Pennsylvania Regiments, aggregattng 3.O42
men; the 65th New York, 1.OSO men: the
sth Ohio. with 900 men: the 9Th Illinois.
with $50 men. and the LIST District OF Co
lumbia with $50.
Major General W. NJ. Graham, formerly
commander Of the Department Of the Gulf,
who has been assigned to be corps COM
mander at Camp Ager. arrived yesterday.
He assumed command OF the troops In
camp today.
The regiments have arrived 30 rapidly
during the past two days that sons aim