The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-03
Maj. Gen. Breckenridge in Command, and Brig.
Gen. Mckee in Charge of Division.
Fifth Illinois Infantry Ordered to Newport News to Ac-
company Gen. Grants Brigade to Porto Ri
co-Camps of the Regiments Shifted.

day. General Breckenridge thinks the NOV.
ing orders henceforth will be on the basis
OF representing all States proportionately at
the front.
Recently the boys of the Fifth Illinois had
their fun. and now Colonel Culver may hava
his inning. He has announced that every
noncommissioned officer who took part IN
the demonstration last week after the regl-
ment was recalled will be reduced to the
ranks. This work is to be commenced at
once and new men appointed in their places.
Colonel Culver says his regiment has had a
good reputation for years, and he intends
to sustain it. He added: IL have ordered
all of the noncommissioned officers reduced
that is. those who were absent without
leave. 1 judge there were about dozen OF
them. The other men who are guilty OF
being absent without leave will be fined by
the field court" In view of the marching
orders it is thought Colonel Culver will not
be as severe as some of his men expect
One of the most unique and imposing drill
exercises that has yet taken place at Camp
Thomas occurred on the Smith White field
this afternoon. 1t was the transportation
drill and review of the Third Division, First
Corps, Brigadier General Sanger command
ing. Fully $50 wagons besides the ambu-
lances of the division took part in the ex-
ercises. There were four mules to each
wagon, making a total of about 1900, while
attached to the ambulances was a total Of
sixty horses. The review was matter OF
such rare occurrence that it was witnessed
by brigadiers, various regimental command
ers and other mounted officers. With the
various wagon trains in the line each being
provided with its canvas covers and carry
ing all extra parts, General Sanger and staff
took the inspection, following which the
command was given for the wagons to pass
in review The scene was one which cannot
soon die from the memory of those who wit
messed it. The teams moved steadily for
ward and in such perfect order that one
could but be strongly impressed with the
excellent discipline of the animals, while the
rattle of the wagons and the tread of hoofs
added to the impressiyeness of the scene.
The work of moving camps has now begun
in earnest at Camp Thomas. There is to be
a general shift among the regiments. all
seeking locations in a reservation that
is amply large to give every regiment a
new and commodious camp ground. Owing
to frequent showers during the past week,
many of the regiments are deserting the
wooded locations and are pitching their
tents in the open fields. This movement,
IOW ldlLly OS6uu, Will iSdSli SfOhy POAllOA
of the army within a week.
General Poland, in command Of the Sec
ond Division, First Corps, who has been
quite ill, has greatly improved and tonight
left for Asheviile, N. c., where he will re-
main a week or ten days recuperating. The
division will be in command Of Brigadier
General Mckee during General Poland's
absence.
The paymasters are expected to get In at
an early hour tomorrow morning and to
begin their work before noon. The pay
rolls of all the regiments are now complete
and there will be little delay in making
the payments. The total to be paid will be
near 81, 100000.
Nothing has yet been heard from Wash
ington in regard to General Wade's expe-
dition and the officers and men OF all tho
regiments here continue on the anxious seat
The impression prevails that General Wade
will take with him the regiments best fitted
no matter to what corps or division they
may belong, and every regiment is now at
tempting to impress its fitness and it's right
to be included in the expedition. In one
regiment a petition to the War Department
is being circulated and literally signed.