The evening times., 1898-05-16
THE REg6T1Rs At TAMPA
Twelve Thousand White and
Colored Soldiers There.
ARE so: Err AND HEALTHY
Cases of Drunkenness and Disorder
Are Rhre-FiEhting Joe Wheeler
Has Arrived-The Cuban Soldiers
ApSear to BE Active Little Men.
Chanler's Picturesque Fighters.

Tampd, Fla, May 1--we are Still de-
pendent upon the vanishing fleet Of Spain.
| In the presence of so many conflicting
rumors it is impossible TO predict when
that barrier to our progress will be re-
moved. and under the conditions that pre-
| vail here a prophet has less honor than
in his own country. His environment Is
| more likely to make him a philosopher.
! At present all are, with more or less
| success, making display of patiently
awaiting that order to advance which
each day fails to bring forth. At the
railway station and at Port Tampa ac-
tivity prevails as formerly. Troops con-
tinue to arrive, and at the latter end
preparations for departure are being hur-
| ried forward.
Additions of cavalry, infantry and vol
unteers have brought the force up to the
strength of some 12,G00. The volunteers
who come from this State are a fine-look-
ing lot of fellows and are likely to give
n good account of themselves. Closer ac-
quaintance with American troops In
creases ones high opinion of them, II
that be possible. Capt. Lee, the British
military representative. has remarked 1t
is an excellent fighting force.
Each branch of the service, whether
white or colored, appears to be in the
pink of condition. In physique they are
perfect, and they are credited with ex-
ceptionaI qualities of workmanship.
In the matter of discipline one cannot
fail to observe some contrasts, but the
greater freedom which exists between the
commissioned officers and rank and file
does not go far as one can note. appear
TO be attended with disadvantage TO the
morale of the Army.
The American soldier Of today is In
comparably better than his predecessor.
Conditions of enlistment are more severe.
He is more generously treated. His ra-
tions are improved and he has facilities
and privileges formerly unknown. He is
offered incentives to manliness and self
respect.
How far these have been successful is
indicated by the statement that although
there are 12,o00 troops in this place your
correspondent has not observed a single
case of drunkenness or disorder of any
description. This is a well-earned trib-
ute.
So much for the American soldier. AS
to the Cubans, II remains to be seen how
far anticipations as to their capacities
as fighters VIII be justified. They ait.
1.-THE, active little fellows. 1t is true they
have kept the Spaniards at bay for some
years, but 1t has been scrappy guerrilla
warfare at the most, and thus 1t would be
scarcely just TO contrast tNeIu Win tfltlF
highly trained and better equipped COM
rades. %
In this conflict decision whether they
are capable of warfare on scientific lines
is in the future, but this much may safe
ly be said. that they possess an unwav-
ering frmness. love of country. splen-
did valor. and a recollection of wrongs
and suffering which should make hero
of the weakest.
fy,f. tiy1sr nali
recent arrivals is that of General Wheel
er. otherwise Fighting Joe His name
has thrilled the South and earned for him
a nations veneration. With hair bleach
ed by the passage of time and a gentle
ness of manner that would be fit Sun
day school teacher. he Is in appearance
the very anithesis of cavalry officer.
yet he was perhaps the most daring fight
er of the Confederate side, the greatest
known. except Sherman. whose advance
to the sea he fought at every point.
He passed into the incongrous pursuit
of law and was elected to Congress. and
now has once more taken up the sword.
He will command a division of cavalry
consisting of two brigades of three regl-
ments each.
Brig Gen. Shafter will lead the first ex-
pedition to Cuba. He is a general and
commander who stands high in Army
popularity. His name appears well withiI
the list of those who wear the coveted
medal of honor for most distinguished
gallantry. He won his trophy in 1867
While in command of pioneers he volun-
tarily took active part in battle and re-
manned on the ~-'1 although severely
wounded, until the close of the engage
ment.
A small body which attracts much in
terest here is known as "Chanler's
gang" 1t consists of ten well-known
men, who are in search of fight and ad-
venture. The most noteworthy of them,
perhaps, is DIR. Lunn, who wears the
scars and gashes of a thousand duels
and whose jaw has been smashed by
pistol bullet. Another is w. L. Abbot a
and was with Sherington in Madagascar.
They are 4 picturesque and dashing set
of danger-loving fighters.
Night life in camp is much the same
here as elsewhere. Each regiment has
its huge bonfire of blazing logs. which
the tall and ghostlike forms
of the aspiring pine on every hand. There
is the merry minstrelsy of violins and
guitars, and the domestic combs even
are instruments. When the band has to
play the men lie back in silence to listen
to the old home songs.
Away from camp little recreation has
been provided for him, the only hall of
cSAhS LhOueSt gan.
with the high-sounding title of the EN- |
pire Theater.
The Rough Riders.
San Antonio, Texas, May l6.-The fea- !
ture of the day of the Rough Riders "
camp. at thei old Fair Grounds. was a |
visit by Mayor Callaghan and large del ]
egation of other prominent citizens, ac- |
by. a brass band. Col. Wood, |
the commanding officer of the regiment |
was pot at camp at the time, and the pro- |
cessitn was met at the gate and escorted |
by Capt. Maximillian Luna, of the New |
Mexico squadron, to Major Brodie's tent. |
The band played the Star Spangled Ban
ner," and the hundreds of rough riders
and visitors who gathered round stood |
with barred heads.
When the music was finished Major |
Brodie and the mayor were introduced to
each other, ard the mayor made a brief |
address expressing the appreciation of the
San Antonio citizens for the presence of |
the troops. The band then moved up to |
the exposition han, where the barracks
are located, and played for about an
hour.
All the cavalry men who could get
away from work listened to the music
ielightedly, and gave cheer after cheer
for the mayor, Prof. Beck and the people
Of San Antonio. Col. Wood arrived be-
fore the concert was over. and in behalf
of the entire regiment thanked Prof
Beck and the mayor for the serenade.
The entire regiment was uniformed to-
lay. The battery which will be added to
The regiment will consist of rapid firing
Colt guns instead of Maxim guns. as was
At first reported. John Jacob Astor Of |
Tered to give the regiment six Maxim |