Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-08-05
STILL IN CAMP
But Hoping
For Marching Orders
The Fifth Illinois in State of Rebel
liOn..V Various Notes of Home Interest.
CAMP THOMAS, !
July 20, 1898. {

CAMP THOMAS,
July 20, 1898.
We are yet here, so take things easy at
home for a while.
Qu furry was caused today when
the account of the Fifth Ilinois's doings
were made known throughout the camp.
This regiment has been under marching
orders four times, getting the fourth order
to move double quick Wednesday. The
| boys worked hard most of the night TAX
! ing down tents, packing equipments, ETC.,
! in a pouring rain and in the morning
marched to Rossville to take the train.
| They were told by their commander, Col.
! Culver, that orders to move had been re-
scnded and the regiment would remain in
the park.
1t is said that many of the officers near
! ly broke down, while many of the men
were unable to control themselves. One
lad fell upon his face and cried, then got
up, brought his gun across a tree, smash
! ing it, and disappeared, not having been
seen since.
One company returned with two men
and all the others brought back anywhere
! from that number to 30 or so.
They say over 200 are in Chattanooga
and the others in the fields, sleeping nights
|
selves to anything they desire out of the
many delivery wagons passing. Not over
! half the 1900 men have turned up and it
is stated no roll has been called since
! Wednesday.
The trouble was all laid at Col. Cuver's
door, but from later news it seems he had
nothing to do with it.
Influential men in Indiana having made
| demands that a regiment from that state
| be sent to the front and the demands
! granted, the order to turn back the Fifth
Illinois and send the lG0th Indiana in its
| place came, but somewhat late causing all
this trouble.
While they had reason to feel sighted,
as well as getting good and mad, they
should never have acted the way they did,
for no one should treat Uncle Sam that
way at any time, no matter what the prov
ocation. They also lay themselves liable
to grave censure. The officers lost all
control over the men, but claim all will be
back the first of the week to obtain their
government pay.
Report came this afternoon that we and
several other regiments return to our
homes and remain there on half pay until
such time as the governm, Mt needs us or
are mustered ont. Where did that beauty
whole.
There are several ways whereby we
might remain out the best part of the two
years of our enlistment. Who knows but
We have to thump the Cubans ourselves
yet. VIII they, when called upon, lay
down their arms as disciplined men would
do under like circumstance? How many
of our troops will be needed for garrison
work throughout Cuba and Porto Rico, to
say nothing Of the Philippines, should the
government demand them, and have to re-
main there until stable form of govern
ment has been established that will thor
oughly satisfy those who have been work
ing for their freedom so long? II cannot
be done in a minute, even though things
work never so smoothly
But for all that, the many officers in the
regiment, who came into the army to fight
and not drag away year or more in gar
rison work, will undoubtedly see the only
way out Of the trouble if placed at that
work would be to resign, for very many
have business interests which demand
their attention far more than helping
start government for the new people
Ii this should transpire there would be
but two things to do. The government
would have to replace these officers with
prefer the latter by all means if not needed
for actual fighting. So would most if
placed in our position.
Wagers are being made today on every
hand as to the length of time we remain.
Bets OF s. and upward 1--WE go home in
side of month are frequent. Billy
} Toomey wants little, so will say he made
one of those bets on the "home side"
Others are making bets we don't leave all
winter; still others are willing to bet We
remain the full two years. Rather reck-
less, but still who knows?
Our sick continue on the gain. ky
Robb is somewhat indisposed so the box
. ing has been postponed until further no
= tce. 1t seems too bad as Pie has been in
training, not having eaten any cookies for
two days He started the incubator going
though this afternoon after finding the
bout was called off.
The First South Carolina left today for
Jacksonville, Fla. No other regiments are
under orders to move as far as known.
Gen. Wade and staff move to the site
lately occupied by Gen. Brooke. The
general is using every effort to improve
the sanitary conditions in the park.
1t will be a hard thing to do unless an
enormous amount of disinfectant is fur
nished each month.
Grigsby's Rough Riders are clamoring 10
be moved from their site to new ground.
They have eight officers on sick leave at
present.
Another member of Company B, st.
Adams, died at division hospital today at
o'clock of typhoid fever. He had been
sick for some time. At one time it was
the opinion of the doctors he might re-
cover, but it was to be otherwise. He was
man very popular with his comrades.
His father has been with him for week
and has been untiring in his attendance
| upon the young man. The body will be
, shipped to st. Adams tomorrow.