The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-13
SAIL AWAY AT 5 TO-DAY.
TROOPS EAGER TO BEGIN THE
LONG VOYAGE TO CUBA.

the DOck-Scene As the Transport
Changed Her Berth - Thousands
VIII See Them Pass Down the
River This Afternoon.
The transport Minnewaska, with the
Third Regiment, United States Volun-
teers, is expected to leave Savannah be
tween and o'clock this after
noon 1t is believed she viii draw
about 2sl5 feet aft. and about 20 feet for
ward, when she leaves port. She will
probably cross the bar and be out on the
ocean by Z o'clock. Her departure viii be
made the occasion for an enthusiastic sa-
lutte from the steamers in port and from
as many Savannahians as can get to the
wharves and Offices along the Bay. Thou
sands will line the river front to give the
soldiers a final cheer as the great steamer
makes her way out of port
A pilot has been engaged to be on the
transport at o'clock this afternoon, and
every thing points to her leaving the wharf
of the Central cotton press at about
O'Clock, although 1t may be slightly ear
lier. All last night wood and other sup
plies were being taken aboard. About 1000
cords of wood were secured. In addition
to this there was bought here some five
tons of meat 10 supply the place Of that
rendered unfit for use by the breaking of
the refrigerator plant. Bread In large guam
titles and some other supplies left some
government money in Savannah. The yes
sci goes out in excellent shape in every
respect.
The Third Regiment or most of it, slept
aboard last night. The men broke camp
after breakfast, packed their tents and
personal baggage and sent them over to
the steamer by wagons. 1t was 10 o'clock
before the regiment was formed in line,
and to the music of it's brass band march
ed along the roads to the Bay street ex-
tended and the wharf. The roads had
drained off considerably during the night
end the march was not as bad as antici-
pated. Hundreds of Savannahians mad
gone out to meet the regiment and gath
cred on Bay street and in the vicinity
of the wharf. Ladies waved their hand
kerchiefs and the men and boys cheered
as the companies marched by.
The men were all in good spirits and
the officers, from the colonel down, were
smiling and seemingly happy that the
hour of embarkation had at last come. II
was shortly after II o'clock when the
wharf was reached. There was some de-
lay in getting the men on board, but IS
it was known that there was no posi-
bility OF the vessel getting off before to-
day there was no occasion to hurry.
Strong guards were thrown about the
wharf 10 prevent the men from straying
away, but a number seemed to have evad-
ed the vigilance of the sentlnels, as n
mo IN ba Ipd{
street when 1t was nearly dusk. The
majority of the men had never been on
a steamer before and the Minnewaska
was source OF endless wonder TO them.
Curiosity led them to all part of the yes
sci, and the unhappy crew had a hard
time of it. Supplies were being taken
on board all the time and a. O'Clock
when the tugs McCauley and Paulsen
came to move the steamer out of the dock
TO the cotton press wharf, where other
supplies were to be loaded, there still re-
NAMED large quantity of bread, canned
goods, etc, which had to be lightered over
10 the transport The moving of the
steamer was a pretty piece of work, one
tug being at her side and the other with
line from the stern. 1t was as neat a
piece of maneuvering of a large vessel as
could be seen anywhere. Without a hitch
the dock was cleared and the Minnewaska
was where she was wanted. There the
loading was at once resumed.
While leaving the Boston steamship dock
all of the soldiers gathered on the deck
of the transport and yelled and cheered
10 their hearts content On board with
them were number of the friends of the
officers and other Savannahians. including
number of ladies'. Down on the wharves
were several hundred others who had slip
ped by the guards, got the officers to pass
them or by sweet smiles and honeyed
words knocked discipline and orders to
the four winds. There were few tears.
Kisses were thrown and words of banter
exchanged with those on the transport
Laughter and cheers filled the air, and If
there were sad hearts they concealed their
presence.
After the change of berths some of the
officers were given leave of absence and
came up into the city. When the regi-
ment left camp only two men were unac-
counted for. at was known, though, that
others had got away, with the intention
of frolicking for a few hours. il being
We'll known that the vessel would not
leave until early morning, if then. Guards
We're sent out to round them up and there
were some lively chases after the delin-
quents.
1t is the impression that all of the men
Will be on board this morning and that
there Will be no trouble in keeping them
there as guards will command the only
ways of leaving the vessel. The men viii
be well acquainted with their new quar-
.tSio DtAoIS the MAnDeWaSka sails and will
have everything ship shape Each man
has hammock to himself. The privates
are quartered on the second and third
decks, with ample space and with plenty
of good air, the ship being well ventilated
The hospital is on the second deck, and
those who are at all badly off are accom-
modated with cots. The officers have
cabins which are the acme of comfort
They will find the voyage as pleasant as
on one of the big passenger liners They
have dining saloon and their mess will
De, II sea sickness does not greatly inter-
fere, quite a pleasant and social affar
There Is plenty OF ice and an abundance
OF water and all kinds of food supplies on
board. The privates will be well looked
after by Col Ray. While there is moth.
ing approaching the luxurious in their ac-
commodations and rations, they viii be
fairly comfortable and have an adequate
and varied supply OF food on the voyage
No regiment ever LEFT port with more zest