The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-19

the best ground in the vicinity, and
slight changes OF location can be
made. The difficulty in separating
camps of an army Of this size is on
account of the great difficulty of sup
plying them with necessary food, es-
pecially during the wet season, when
half a dozen wagons over a road cut
it into ruts two feet deep in places.
Pack trains are very good, and we
have to use them and do use them all
the time; in fact, without them We
could not get along; but the sickness
among the teamsters n packers has
been very great-nearly every one Of
them-I suppose 50 per cent-have been
sick, and like the soldiers, they do
not recover their strength.
SUPPLIES ABUNDANT.
Supplies are abundant here of all
articles of food and clothing. / an
not fully express my gratitude to you
for all the opportunities that you
nave given me for the confidence that
you repose in me, as shown more
strongly thar in. any other way by
leaving me unhampered in my opera
lions against Santiago. / am very sor-
ry to see that some newspapers are
attempting to throw blame on your
trying to run the campaign from
Washington. and l suppose some peo-
pie believe it. 1t is Of the things,
however, that I don't suppose we can
help, although whenever l have a an
opportunity I a tried to make it
plain that I have been left to my own
devices.
II am very sincerely yours,
civilian r. SHAFTER."
LAST OF SKATERS TROOPS TO
LEAVE SANTIAGO.
A cable message was received at the
war department this morning from
General Shafter at Santiago de Cuba
saying that he expected that h last
of the troops of his corps, the Fifth,
would have left Santiago for the Unit
ed States by Thursday next and that
he, General Shafter, will start for
home next Saturday. All that now re-
main to be transported is the Third di-
vision, commanded by General Bates.
These troops will be embarked as ZAP
idly as the transportation facilities
will permit.
TO ABANDON CAMP ALGER.
According to information received by
Adjutant General Corbin today, ar
rangements have been practically COM
pleted for the abandonment of Camp
Russell A. Alger, near Falls Church,
Va. A telegram was received from
Major General Graham, commanding
the Second army corps, comprising all
the troops at hat camp, saying that
he has arranged for the departure of
his headquarters, and a battalion of
the Ninth volunteer infantry. which
acted as guard at headquarters, for
Middletown, Pa, tomorrow.
In the meantime, the work of clear
ing up the camp and providing for the
transportation of tentage, baggage
and men is going on under his direc-
ton.
THE THIRD VIRGINIA INVESTIGA-
TON.
The inquiry into the charges of mis-
behavior on the part of the Third Vir-
ginia regiment was reSumed today at
Dunn Loring. DR.. D. G. Merriman,
who was a witness of the affair, said
that one of the men in the crowd
grasped him by the knee and tried to
draw him from his horse. Another
shouted to shoot him.. Both men wore
the insignia of the Third Virginia.
F. K. Ferguson, a butler, testified
that the crowd consisted largely of
Virginia men, about seventy-five OF
eighty. The disturbance was soon
ended.
Captain ]. r. Hatchins, of the Third
Virginia, was also examined, but his
testimony did not bring out any new
facts. The verdict probably will be
announced Friday or Saturday.