The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-14
NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS MOST
POORLY EQUIPPED BUT
BEST BODY OF MEN
IN CAMP.
TOO MUCH GOLD BUTTONS AND LACE
A Graphic Picture of Camp Life The Needs of
the Troops and Their DiscomfortS-- They
are Brave, Cheerful and Reflect
Honor Inon the State,
Honor Upon the State.

tI. 81 %
after IA visit to the First Regiment OF
North Carolina volunteers at Jackson
vile. Florida. l called to see him this
morning to ask him about his trip, for
| know every reader of the News ami
Observer will be glad to know what i'm
nressions he formed and what he thinks
about the North Carolina troops.
Col. Carr is born soldier and if it
were not for his immense business in
terests, requiring his personal attention,
| have no doubt he would be at the
front this very minute. He said nothing
of the sort in the brief interview l had
with him. / am only guessing from
the deep interest he takes in the welfare
of the troops. When the First Regi-
ment was first called to Raleigh, he
heard that they were not getting enough
to eat and he took steps to ascertain
the truthfulness of the report. If it had
been true, he was prepared to drop the
Bull and let him below until the volun-
teers had sufficient food and such com
forts as are permissible in camp.
Talking about his trip Col. Carr said
in substance:
Il returned yesterday morning from
Jacksonville, from a stay since the 3D.
of June. There are nine regiments Of
troops Mt Jacksonville, to-wit The
I'd Virginia, LIST North Carolina, I'd Illi-
nois, LIST Iowa. LIST Wisconsin, 4th Nir-
ginia, and the LIST New Jersey. The LIST
regiment was brigaded with the ID IL
linois and list Wisconsin, under the com
mand of General Burt, of Ohio, who, by
the way, | regard as a very fine officer
and soldier He has his headquarters
in the field and sees more or less of the
boys every day. He is a United States
army officer, has been in the service
since 81, and was a captain in the last
war.
''Gen. Lee has fine staff and is To-
Gated at the Windsor Hotel. Jackson
vile, about one mile to n mile and a
half from the camp. Young Sartoris,
General Grants grandson, young Ho-
bart, son of the VicePresident and
Russell Harrison. son of ex-President
Harrison, have been assigned to com
missions on General Lees staff.
1.-THE First North Carolina is the most
poorly equipped regiment at Jackson
vile. and for that reason they are made
somewhat the butt of the troops
there. but | believe it is the finest body
of men in camp. General Arnold $
statement concerning the bad conduct
on the part of some of the soldiers on
the streets in Jacksonville, does not dp-
ir~ To hn /
been with them about ten days, and
know what | am talking about. He
will have to retract this, and apologize
to the First North Carolina Regiment,
or | shall prefer charges against him
before the Secretary of War. The
camp is nicely situated and well water
ed: it is true the water has Il peculiar
taste to our men. but there is nothing
unpleasant about it. All the North Car
Dina troops have ice served them every
morning, which they themselves pay for
ut the rate of 40 cents per 100 pounds.
The rations Of the troops are fair, bet
ter in quality than they were ten days
ago. There have been Il few days since
they have been Mt Jacksonville when
they did not get pound of meat Of
any kind: twice spoiled beef was served
them, and they refused it, and had moth
ing.
There was not one case Of severe i'll
ness when / left. Mr.. Bccrman. of
Asheville, a very fine gentleman, was
sick in camp and several privates here
and there through the companies. main
ly with measles and humps Private
Belvin, of the Durham company. was
threatened with typhoid fever. There
is n great Discrimination on the part of
the troops TO 90 to the hospitals; they
prefer when sick to remain in camp
Those who have been to the hospitals
allege unkind treatment. and they pre-
fer to remain among the members Of
their own companies, who they know
sympathize with them and viii do what
they can for them.
1.-THE troops are badly in need of most
everything. If / had the ear of the
friends Of the First Regiment here in
North Carolina, | would suggest their
sending the troops such assistance as
they are able, making remittanceS OF
money. There are SO many little things
the soldiers want they could provdr
themselves with if they only had tia,
ready money. Officers and men alike
are nearly ont of money. and in abso
lutte need Of it in many cases. The gov
ernmcnt has not paid them one dollar
since they have been in the service, anl
the government declines to allow al
vances made them. ! am satisfied ther,
would be a more liberal response iron
the people Of North Carolina if they
knew the real condition of the Firs
Regiment at Jacksonville They barcl,
have the necessaries. except maybe il
n few of the companies
Everything considered the health o
the troops is very fine and il is who'll,
unfair to them, and to the State o
North Carolina that Arnold shoul'
SANDER. them as he has done. and / pro
pose to see that the matter is corrected
] shall write General Burt. who is i
command Of the First Brigade. Secon'
Division. and ask of him that he hay
Arnold file bill of particulars and thi
he cannot do to save his life, and / vii
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