Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-30
Health of the Place, All Things
Consi6ered-Scntim i'm Favor of
Going to Cuba
Going to Cuba

CAMP CUBA LIBRE, JACKSONVILLE,
FLA, August 29.-(Special )-Orders have
been received at General Lees headquar
ters mastering out Of the service the First
Wisconsin Regiment. This is done pre-
sumably on account Of the high mortality
i'm this organization.
There have occurred within its ranks 30
per cent. OF the entire number Of deaths
in the Seventh Army Corps. 1t is reported
that an effort will be- made to transfer the
Third Virginia Regiment to this corps in
the place vacated by the First Wisconsin
Last week there were held reviews Of
the First and Third divisions Of the
Seventh Army Corps Saturday a review
Of the Second Division was to have been
held. This division is composed of nine
regiments, among which are the Second
and Fourth Virginia and First North
Carolina.
At O'Clock Saturday the three brgades
were formed and marched 10 the place Of
rendezvous, sut by order Of General Lee
the review was postponed on account OF
rain. The boys looked very fine, clothed
I'm blue flannel shirts and Khaki trousers.
The Third Brigade, TO which our Virginia
bows are attached, made a particularly
fine showing. When on the march "home"
they passed through New Jersey and
North Carolina, and were loudly cheered.
The bands Of the two Old Dominion regi-
ments have almost reaeked state Of
perfection, and the boys march well to
the well-cadenced marches and quick
steps.
4 TEST CASE SETTLED.
The talk of "going homG' or "going TO
Cuba" has pretty well ceased. This morn
ing a test case was concluded. one of
the men from the Second Virginia applied
for a. discharge, being sustained by his
parents endorsement. It was disapproved
by his captain colonel. brisadier-general
division-commander, and finally by Gene
raj Lee.
The following letter that appeared this
morning in the Florida Times Union and
Citizen, was written by member of Com
pany l. Second Virginia Regiment, OF
Richmond, who was formally a student
at Richmond College. 1t is indicative of
the sentiments Of many OF the men.
To the Editor,-I was somewhat sur
prised when l read the account OF the ac-
ton taken by the $50 boys of the First
Alabam Regiment, and the discussion of
the law under wnich the volunteer army
was organized. by the gentleman from
the Second Alabama Regiment.
| did not know We had 50 many home
sick boys down here. Yes, boys, l know
il would be nice TO go home and see
friends and loved ones, but there is a duty
TO perform, and We know that duty
comes before pleasure. Duty IS the first
law of a soldier.
A QUESTION OF DUTY.
Is it our duty to go TO Cuba as an army
of occupation? l would answer yes, there
is no doubt about it in my mind. be-
lieye every true soldier would answer the
same if ne was called upon to say what
ne believed 10 be right. ! claim that we
have not yet accomplished the purpose
for which we were called into service
(See section 4, which the gentleman from
the Second Alabama referred to- We
were called out to deliver Cubans from
the rule of the Spaniards and give them
liberty and freedom.
Have we done this? No, the task has
been only half accomplished. We have
driven the Spaniards out, but We have
not yet brought liberty and freedom 10
Cuba. When We have established law
and order, when we have brought order
out of the present chaos and ruin, when
Cuba. when sweet peace rcigns supreme
then, and not until then, can we cry out.
Cuba is free and our duty is done"
Soldiers. ye who are soldiers, think not
of home and the pleasure Of seeing your
best girl until your duty is done. Shall
we ask 20 go home and have those who
have fought and bled TO hold the cOun-
try? Boys let US, who have been per-
mitted TO fight, step in and hold the fort
for those who have so bravely and gal
lantly won the victory. i, too, believe In
being first in war and first in peace, but
is there peace? Can there be peace in
a country without a government and
without laws?
THE BEST SOLDIERS NEEDED.
We need the best soldiers to go TO Cuba.
men who possess the highest qualities of
a soldier.
| hope some way will be found 10 let
the homesick boys return TO their homes
and mothers; we want men who put duty
before everything else. The regiments
that are sent TO Cuba ought 20 feel
highly honored. | sincerely hope that
the Second Virginia will not be left be-
hind.
| believe Though there has been much
talk TO the contrary that when General
Lee calls on his boys to so to Cuba with
him they will respond with one voice
Here we are. General. Where you lead
we will follow"
BENJAMIN RLONTON.
Company I. Second Virginia Regiment,
Infantry.
Next Wednesday Will be gala day
for the Seventh Army Corps. There Will
be a parade OF the entire corps in COM
memoration of the signing OF the peace
pTotocol.
THE PRESIDENT MAY COME LATER.
1t was hoped that President Mckinley
would be present upon this occasion, but
his Excellency thinks IL would be mex
Incident for him 10 attend al this time
However. he will visit Jacksonville ana
personally inspect our corps on Septem-
ber 18th.
This intelligence was given out yester-
dav by General Lee, and was received by
him from Colonel W. 4. Durhim. com
manding the 16ist Indiana Regiment,
who IS now In Washington.
speaking OF the review TO be held next
Wednesday General Lee said: 1T will BE-
good practice for the big one TO be held