New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-31
NOTFNFNTS AT TAMPA CAMP.
THE SEVENTY FIRST NETWORK AND SEC
OND MASSACHUSETTS, GO FROM LAKE
LAND TO TASfPA-oUEsTToNs or
ppnMnT-rONc AND PAY


TAMPA. Fla May 20 (speciaD-The formation
Of the Fifth Army Corps will be made more com
nact bv the removal here OF the list New-York
and the % Massachusetts,. the only two volun-
,eer regiments In General Skaters command.
An order came this morning that the list he
shifted from Lakeland II is 10 be encamped
on Tampa Heights. Up 10 few days ago It
WAS irnpossInle to place any more troops there
on account q. the limited water supply. but now
additional pipes have been laid. and there will
be sufficient water
The % Massachusetts will be stationed In Ybor
City. Tampa near the siege artillery It's camp
will be perhaps on a more desirable site than
TAMPA Heights as the bav is near by. but both
volunteer regiments will probably regret the re-
rnovaI from Lakeland. There they were on roll
ing ground and I'm the midst 81 A beautiful lake
country The Tampa Heights region is dry and
sandy. and less shaded than is the Lakeland
region
II will probably be Of no advantage IN the men
10 be so near the diversions Of Tampa, although
the discipline Is so excellent that the men are
not likely 70 BE- much harmed. Both regiments
are to be moved here as soon az transportation
can be provided. In addition 10 General Shat
ter's desire to concentrate the forces OF his corps
a reason for the change is the fact that Lake
land is situated only one railroad. Orders
have come from Washington since the regiments
were established there that no camp be placed
in spots which could he reached by only one
railroad The Government did not want 10 he
placed AT the mercy or one corporation
II is understood that the 1st and 10Th Cavalry
are also to be brought here from Lakeland Ar
rangemenis have been made 10 supply coffee 70
the men and water to the horses and mules
,,b.c Ito.
on the way to Lakeland The % Infantry. now
to Tampa Heights.
telegram sent TO Major Tucker paynaster
here by the paymaster- general at Washington,
Is OF considerable concern 10 number OF Off
GERS 1t reads: NO officers al present in the
United States are considered as serving against
the enemy. and none are entitled 10 extra pay
ny reason Of assignment to higher command
than their rank entities them to"
This is an Interpretations OF the point brought
up under the recent act Of Congress providing
that officers serving against the enemy should
receive the pay Of the temporary rank they occu-
MED II assigned t. II by competent authority
This would make a considerab BILE difference to
many commissioned men who are performing
,ernporary duties Of a higher grade than their
own
But for this ruling II In the general opinion
TIA. Congress certainly meant that in time OF
war An officer was serving against the enemy.
whether the two armies were five miles apart
fi,e hundred II would be natural for the pay
rnaster-general &c be cautious and not pay out
money about which there was any doubt. and II
is thought that his ruling will he reversed.
There IL no question about the 20 per cent
increase in the pay Of privates in wartime. The
act under which this is done was passed In 1870.
and * explicit In saying wartime and not while
serving against the enemy. The men have all
received this increase
Another question is OF Importance to large
hodv of officers and that is whether longevity
nav applies 10 men transferred 10 the volunteer
service Each officers pay Is Increased 10 per
cent every five years up TO twenty years. There
are OF course. many who are drawing part or
aIl Of the possible 40 per cent increase. and IL is
I'm doubt whether they will continue receiving
this under their promotions. Thus. first lieu
ttnan, Of the Regulars who has been twenty
wears I'm the Army would receive more than
ccanraIn of volunteers, and his promotion would
he no financial advantage unless his monthly pay
continued No ruling has been received here yet
on mis- point but ne belief Is that the Govern
ment will be Just and not reduce the mems pay
Inv promoting them. Lieutcnant-Coonel Ed
card J McClernand. Assistant AdJuiant. United
states Volunteers, to-day entered upon his duties
"a assistant adjutant- general on General Shaf-
ter,s stan. He arrived here last night from