The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-26
GET THEIR RIFLES TODAY
SOLDIERS AT CAMP MOUNT TO BE
SUPPLIED BY MAJOR vARNEY.
Speculation as to Where the Regi-
ment VIII Gothic Camp Flood
ed with Water.

The misunderstanding Regi-
ment will receive their rifles to-day from
the United States arsenal in this CITY, This
was settled yesterday, when Major Varney
received authority from the War Depart
ment to issue enough rifles to supply all the
men in camp. He at once put his force
at work packing up the guns and arrang-
ing them for shipment to-day. The arms
will be the Springfield rifles, though it is
understood these weapons will be exchanged
for the Krag-Jorgensen magazine rifles
when the regiment is called to the front.
The men need the training that only arms
will give them, and 1t is to accustom them
to the use of firearms that the present is
sue Is made. AS soon as the guns arrive at
the camp to-day the issue will begin, and
before night every man will have received
his last mark of distinction as a soldier.
There appears to be a difference of opin-
ion among the officers in camp as to when
and where the regiment is to go. Col. Dur
bin has maintained that Jacksonville was
the regiments destination. Other officers are
just as sure they will go to Chickamauga.
No one can say to certainty, but as the
regiment is probably destined for service
with General Lee in the Havana campaign,
both predictions may be right. 1t is GER
tain the boys will not be here. many days
longer, and as the Havana campaign will
not open until cool weather the regiment
may go to Jacksonville by way of Chicka-
manga.
WIND AND RAIN AT CAMP.
Camp Mount was nearly submerged yes
terday Sunday nights rains served to cool
the atmosphere sufficiently to allow the
soldiers to sleep comfortably, but when the
downpour of yesterday morning came it
started considerable trouble The rain was
accompanied by high winds, and the first
mishap fell to the lot Of the Mount Vernon
company. Their kitchen, in the rear of
their quarters, was not originally built to
resist cyclones and when the first hard
blow came through the camp 1t took with
it the kitchen. The boys hurried out, how
ever, and saved the remnants, from which
a new kitchen was later built. Travel to
and from the camp was interrupted through
out the day. From IL o'clock not a street
car went into the Enclosure. The sinkhole
at the Monon bridge was flooded with three
feet of water, and at that point all pas
sengers had to debark and wade to the
fair grounds. AT the entrances there is q
sheet of water extending from the street.
car station to the quarters of the cOlored
companies, though fortunately the building
was not flooded. The sentries were better
equipped yesterday to resist the storm than
they were when they first arrived in camp.
At that time they took soaking with good
grace, but yesterday every guard enveloped
himself in his "poncho'' or rubber blanket
and walked his beat barefooted
In this connection Captain MenZies con-
siders it worth mentioning that his COM
pany has been on guard duty during every
rainstorm that has visited the camp. He
has served three times and each time his
ia fr0 mn IN %
thinks the company should be named "the
rainmakers."