The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-10
FIVE TRANSPORTS IN PORT.
HOSPITAL SHIP MISSOURI AND
TRANSPORT MOBILE HERE.

hut VIII sail This Morning With
Two BnttnIionS of the Second ILL
nois AbOard-The Third battalion
VIII Follow ON the MObiIe-The
Mobile "a Finely Equipped Trans
port with Accommodations for
1900 Men-The Missouri VIII Care
for the Sick on Havana and Re-
turn Them 10 This Country.
There are now FIVE government ships in
port the Michigan. which is to sail this
morning with two battaiions of the Second
Illinois; the Panama, which is to take Gen.
Lee ana staff. the Comal, which
Is 10 take supplies TO the starving Gu
bans: the government hospital ship Mis-
souri, and the transport Mobile the two
latter having arrived yesterday afternoon.
The Michigan VIII go out this morning
on the high tide with the Second Illinois.
Il was hoped TO get her off on yesterday
mornings tide. but the work of loading
the regimental impedimenta continued all
day, and it was not until last night that
the troops were able to so aboard. TIE
Panama is in readiness to receive Gen. Lee
and his staff aud the Comai is nearly
loaded. Both of these vessels will prob
ably go out tomorrow.
The vessels which arrived yesterday are
two of che most interesting owned by
the government. The Missouri is the gov
eminent hospital ship and the Mobile is by
far the finest government transport yet
seen here. She is just out of the Cramps
shipyards at Philadelphia. where she has
been thoroughly overhauled and equipped
as a troop ship, and she looks as hand
some as bride in a new dress.
The Mobile made a handsome appear
ance as she came up the river about
o'clock with her hun painted light grey,
her masts clean and polished and every
thing having a spick and span appear
ance. She is not only one of the best
equipped but one of the largest ships IN
the transport business having accommo-
dations for 1900 men, besides officers. She
viii carry the One Hundred and Sixty-hrst
Indiana, the Third Battalion of the Second
Illinois, and the headquarters and staff
of the Second Division and of the First
Brigade of that division. She will proba-
bly, also carry hospital and signal corps
attachments. The work Of loading the
Mobile win begin to-day, and it is hoped
10 get the troops on board by Sunday
night in time for departure on Monday
mornings tide.
The Indianians and the Illinoisians who
go on the Mobile are lucky boys They
will not have 10 swing in hammocks as
have all those who have gone before but
will be able to sleep on spring beds and
their quarters will be neat and comforta-
BILE with all necessary conveniences. Their
quarters will be a little close, of course,
as is necessary where such a number of
men are carried, but otherwise they viii
have nothing to complain of.
The Missouri is the hospital receiving
ship of the government and is fitted up 10
carry 300 patients She comes 10 Savan-
nah to load medical supplies, of which she
viii take on about 300 tons before going
to Cuba. The Missouri will be used in
transporting the sick soldiers from Cuba
to the hospitals in this country. For this
purpose she will lie outside of Havana, re-
ceiving and caring for the sick and bring
ing hem to this country when a sufficient
number have been taken on board. The
Missouri is fully equipped for her work
being complete floating hospital. 1t is
thoroughly equipped with all modern APP
planes for hospital and surgical work
Maj. Arthur of the medical department of
the army is in charge with a fun corps of
assistants including nurses and attend
ants so that the sick will receive the same
attention as in a regular hospital on shore
The Missouri win probably take a part
OF the hospital corps of the Second Division
10 Cuba.
The First and Second Battaiions Of the
Second Illinois broke camp yesterday at
noon and marched 10 the city. reaching
here about ! O'Clock. They were given a
rousing reception as they marched through
the streets, though on account of the in
clement weather The crowds were not as
large as would otherwise have been the
case. The men were in heavy marching
order, with overcoats, with knapsacks on
their backs and large rolls composed of
blankets and shelter tents strapped on top
of the knapsacks. 1t was noticed that the
men all had their new Krag- Jorgensen
rifles protected from the weather, the guns
being either completely lncased or with the
lock and magazine neatly wrapped. The
mechanism of the Krag-Jorgensen is more
intricate than that of the old Springfield
and hence more liable to be affected by
rust, and unless good care is taken OF
them they are said 10 easily get out of
order.
The Indictment weather did not dampen
the ardor of the men. They were in the
best of spirits and laughed and cheered
as they marched through the streets, re-
spending with gay bandinage 10 the re-
marks of the citizens and chatting the
girls who bid them farewell from The side
walks.
ne GtCOtlu lliiuOiS Is 6nAhelN from NHl-
cago, and. being all city boys, this ex-
plains somewhat the light heartedness
with which they take the vicissitudes Of
military life. For a city regiment. how
ever. the percentage of the tough element
seemed to be very small as the men have
been noted for their good behavior during
their stay in this vicinity.
Col. George NJ. Moulton the command
er of the regiment. is in Cuba, having
preceded it with the brigade headquarters
Lieut.. Col. William d. Hotchkiss is in
command Of the two battalions which will
proceed 10 Cuba on the Michigan this
morning
Some unfavorabe comment was made
yesterday by visitors 10 the Michigan on
the condition of The quarters for the
troops. II was said that they were not
In as good condition as they might be,
particular exception being taken to the
fact that in some instances the quarters
for the men were underneath those for
the horses and mules. with consequences
that must be decidedly uncomfortable for