The Wichita tribune., 1898-10-29
KANSANS START FOR MANILA
Two Battalions Embark on the
Transport Indiana.
HAVE WAITED FIVE MONTHS.
With Funston In Command the Fortunate
Companies Broke Camp and March ed
to the Pier From the Presidio-Little's
Battalion to Go Later.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 26.-The Second
and Third battalions of the Twentieth
Kansas regiment embarked on the
transport Indiana this afternoon.
Just five months ago the Twentieth
Kansas regiment was hurried to San
Francisco, without waiting for uni
forms or equipment, with the expecta-
tion of an immediate journey to the
Philippines. Seven times the regi-
ment has been assigned to transports
and as many times disappointed Col
onel Funston said, when the official
order for embarlation on the Indiana
was issued Il won't believe we are
going until feel I'm sea sick.
Officers and men have followed the
round of camp life for twenty weeks,
but this morning reveille was sounded
In Camp Merriam for the last time for
the Second and Third battalfonss cf
the Twentieth.
The soldiers were astir long bei0Fo
daylight, busy with a last inspection
of their equipments or engaged in de-
stroying the debris Of the camp.
Never was reveille attended with such
excitement and enthusiasm. The reg
mental band joined with the buglers
in sounding reveille and forming In
lines the musicians awoke the echoes
with lively rendition of the Jay
hawker regiments fighting tune"
"a Hot Time in the Old Town" Sleep
was impossible, and soon the Preside
was alive with answering calls OF bu-
gle and bands from other camps. Be-
fore o'clock the companies were in
line and the equipments piled in regu-
lar rows upon the main parade
grounds.
At o'clock the quick step general
was sounded, the signal for breaking
camp, and as if by magic the white
tents swayed a moment and fell to the
ground. Quickly the companies were
formed in regimental parade, the first
battalion attired in the conventional
blue uniform, and the departing
troops in the whitef-'r TX uniforms OF
the tre - gh the Preside
ga+ # the band ano
l. par dc started
=fk stranspot s-1rr,ifS.-.-4-o77sf rr,ifS
The line moved through the Preside
gates up Lombard street to Van Mes:
avenue, thence to Market and dowr
Market to the ferries and to the Indi-
ana, anchored at Pier 81, Battery
street dock. Along the line of march
crowds waved farewell to the Kansas
boys.
The passenger list of the Indiana in
cludes headquarters and the Second
and Third battalions of the Twentieth
Kansas. Headquarters includes Colonel
Frederick Funston, Major Frank H.
Whitman, Major Wilder S. Metcalf,
Surgeon John A. Rafter, Assistant Sur
geon Henry d. Smith, Chaplain John
G.. Schlieman, Adjutant Charles b.
| Walker, Quartermaster Walter Z. Hull,
Lieutenant Showalter, commissary or
ficer. the non-commissioned staff and
the regimental band.
The transport Indiana is owned by
the international Navigation com
pany and was built in 1873 by Cramps.
With length of 343 feet, breadth of
thirty-four feet and depth of twenty
nine feet she easily accommodates the
7S6 officers and men on board.
While no definite assignment has
been made yet, it is probable that the
first battalion, the Kansas soldiers
left behind, will go on the transport
Newport, accompanying General Mil
Ter and staff. Lieutenant Colonel
Little commands the first battalion,
composed of Companies B, f. A and l..