The times., 1898-07-04
INTENSE HEAT BUT MUCH FUN.
Affairs of the Soldiers at Camp
Thomas. Chnttanooxa.

Chattanooga, July 3.-The heat con-
tinues intense at Camp Thomas. Drilling
IS almost out of the question, except ear
ly in the morning and late in the after
noon. The visits of the Government pay
masters TO several regiments Saturday
helped break the monotony. Among the
regiments that have been paid are the
Third Wisconsin, Fifth Missouri, Six
teenth and First Pennsylvania. Four
teenth Minnesota and the First Ohio
Cavalry. The work IS progressing rapid
ly, and the boys may all have their mon
ey TO celebrate the Fourth of July.
The average amount of regiment is
about $4,000. Saturday night the soldiers
who had been paid came down to Lytle
in big crowds, and literally took posses
sion Of the Midway the Bowery and the
theater. They spent their money freely,
and long after taps had sounded the bows
in blue were still enjoying life at "Conev
Island" No liquor of any kind was OBJ
tainable at Lytle, and, with the strong
provost guard of regulars, very good or
der was maintained. Camp Thomas The
ater was packed TO the doors with sol
diers
Nearly all the chaplains have been in
terviewed in regard to the abolishment of
the regimental canteen, and while many
are in favor of banishing it, they dis
like to take action In the matter because
they know a majority of the soldiers are
not in favor of giving it up. Here is the
sentiment of hundreds of soldiers:
why should we give up the canteen?
When we are out of money we get tobac-
co and refreshing drinks for checks.
where otherwise we would have nothing
in the way of little luxuries. Take away
our canteens and note the number of
drunken soldiers in Chattanooga at the
end of the month";
This is one side of the question. The
chaplains take the other side, contend
ing that the canteens fill the guard
houses and corrupt the morals of the
youth in the service of the United States.
Great pressure has been brought to bear
to abolish them, and the success of the
effort remains to be seen.
Transportation is being issued to the
First, Second and Third Divisions of the
First Army Corpssoy Col Lee, and near
fully equipped. await with impatience
marching orders. The rockies" are un-
dergoing drills of every description, and
will soon be ready to go into ranks.
Gen. Brooke was notified officially yes
terday by the War Department of his
appointment as commander of the First
Corps and of his relief from the com
mand of the balance of the army corps
of the Gulf. He will be succeeded by
Gen. A. c. Pennington. The following of
ficers have received an honorable dis
charge from the service of the United
States: Capt. S. B. Miller Fourteenth
Minnesota, on account of physical dsa-
bility: First Lieut.. "A. j, Harris, quarter
master First Florida Volunteer Infantry;
First Lieut., It. B. Pratt, Fourth Ohio:
First Lieut.. C. B. Burr, One Hundred and
Fifty-seventh Indiana; Second Lieut.. L.
H. Mackey, Fifteenth Indiana; Chaplain
F. L. Phalen, First New Hampshire, all
on account of physical disabilities.
A story is told onsa recruit in the First
West Virginia. While they were striking
tents and packing up the other day a SER
geant approached and said:
Strike that tent.
What with?" asked the new recruit.
.Oh, with club or any old thing" an
swered the sergeant.
The new recruit forthwith began to
pound the tent, when man within jump