The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-09-10
VISITS SICK HEROES.
President Mckinley Greeted by
Troops at Camp Wikof.
Closely Inspccss the HesDitaIs And
General Camp-Praises the SOL
diers who stood Ready fer
the Brunt Of Battle.


Camp wikoff. Montauk Point. Sept.
8. President Mckinley spent five
hours in the camp Saturday, bare
headed most of the time, visiting the
sick In the hospitals and inspecting the
we'll in their environments. He made a
speech to the assembled infantrymen.
reviewed the cayalrymen, expressed
his opinion of the camp to the report
ers, and issued an order directing the
regulars to return to their stations
east of the Mississippi.
On the train returning TO New York
Mr.. Mckinley made this statement;
81 was very much pleased to meet the
heroes Of Santiago and 10 observe
their splendid spirit. What saw Of
the care Of the sick men in the hos
pitfalls by those in charge, and by the
noble women engaged in that work,
was especially gratifying TO me-"
Gen. Wheeler arranged for the in
spection party to 60 through the de-
tention camp, past Gen. Skaters tent,
where the president could greet the
commander of the Santiago forces.
With the president, besides the Sec
rotary OF war, were:
Vice President Hobart. Acknowledgment
! Griggs. Senator Redfeld Proctor, or Yer
mont Brig. Gen. Egan, Brig. Gen. lud-
hate President Hayes Col NJ T. Herrick.
OF Cleveland: William Mckinley Barber.
| OF Canton, o.: II. IL. Herrick, OF Clsve>
/ land; Secretary Porter and Assistant Sec
rotary Cortclyou.
The ladies OF the party were Mrs. Aigei
and Miss Hecker.
Mai. Gen. Wheeler was surrounded
by a number of his staff. The car
riages, preceded by the cavalry, wound
up the hill TO Gen. Wheeler's head
quarters. From there the president
drove through the detention camp 10
Mai. Gen. Skaters tent. The gen.
eral was in full uniform, but his face
was flushed with fever. He endeav-
ored TO rise from the chair in which
he sat as the president entered the
tent.
Don't get up, general" said Mr..
Mckinley. as they shook hands. You
are entitled 10 rest. How are your
"A little achy." replied the general,
shut otherwise all right"
Inspects the Camp.
alone or with Gen. Wheeler and made
personal inspection. The tents were
In admirable condition. Everything
was clean and attractive, and the wan
patients smiled joyfully as the presi-
dent went 10 them grasping many
by the hand. as IL they were his own
brothers and sons. So the visiting was
con tinued from tent TO tent, from di-
vision to division until the entire camp
had been inspected.
introduced by Gen. wheeler.
A visit was paid to the infantry plain,
where the cheering was prolonged and
the men showed themselves in high
spirits. Men of the Ninth Massachu-
setts, First Illinois, Eighth Ohio and
Thirteenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-sec-
ond and Twelfth regular infantry were
assembled without arms. About 5000
stood in, close order and Gen. Wheeler
said:
THE president OF our great country has
come here TO greet the soldiers who
marched so CALAMITY up San Juan hill on
July /. He comes here to express the ma
tion's thanks TO these brave men ! wish
TO tell you that when the president cent me
here, two weeks ago, TO command this
I ramp he entoined mo IN the most emphatic
language that ! should, without regard 20
frecossary 10 make comfortable this body
OF brave men. who. by their courage, have
raised this republic to the highest position
have tho honor and pleasure OF introducing
10 you the president OF the United States"
speech by the President.
When the cheering subsidized Presi-
dent Mckinley responded as follows:
Gen. Wheeler, Soldiers OF Camp wikon.
Soldiers OF the Fifth Army Corps: trust
that you will put your hats on--l am glad
70 meet So yoS brSS soS the
OF the nation TO whose history you have
added by your valor new and glorious
page You have come home after two
months OF severe campaigning. which has
embraced assault, siege and battle. so bril-
liant In achievement, 80 far-reachinB In re-
suits as 20 command the unsthted praise
OF all your countrymcn.
You had the brunt OF the battle on land.
You bore yourselves with supreme courage,
and your personal bravery, never before ex-
colled anywhere, has won tho admiration
OF your fellow citizens and the ger uine re-
spect OF all mankind, while your endurance
under peculiar trial and suffering has
given added meaning TO your heroism.
Your exertions mado easy the conquest OF
Puerto Rico under the res.stlosS army COM
manded by Maj. Gen. Miles and behind
you, to proceed al moments summons,
were more than 100000 OF your comrades,
ready to support you, disappointed tndt the
opportunity which you had did not come TO
them, yet nilcd with pride at your we'll
earned fame and rejoicing over your sig-
nal victories.
You were on the line OF battle-they. no
less than you, were In the lire OF duty. All
have served their country In Its need, all
will serve II 80 long as they may be re-
uuired and all VIII forever have the thanks
and regard OF grateful people
I'VE cannot bid you welcome here to-
day without our hearts going out TO the
heroes OF Manila on sea and on land. who's Sc
services and sacrifices. whose courage and
constancy In that far-dlstant field OF OPP
eratlons have never been surpassed by
any soldiers or sailors the world over.
'sro the army and tho navy, 10 the ma
rines, 70 the regulars, 20 the volunteers a nd
TO that Providence which haswstched over
them all the nation to-day ~ full Of thanks
giving and praise. The brave officers and
men who fell IN battle and those who have
died from exposure and sickness Will live
In imm ortai story and their memories Will
be perpetuated In tho hearts ana the hts
tories OF a generous people. and those who
are dependent upon them will not be neg
lected by the government for which they 90
freely sacrificed their lives"
Trans Lenye Puerto Rico.