The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-16
All the others, Four officers and 164
Men, Able to March from the Trans
port to the Special Train.
VARIOUS CHARGES DENIED
TALKS WITH CAPTAIN CURTIS AND
SOME OF HIS MEN.
How They Fared on the Concha-In-
cidents of the Trip-Due in In
dinnapoIis Tonight.
pecIal to the Indianapolis journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1.-THE Twenty-sev-
enth Indiana Battery, with 1854 men and
four commissioned officers, arrived here
early to-day on the United States transport
Concha, from Porto Rico, and left for In
dianapolis tonight at o'clock. There
was not single case of serious sickness
among the men, and when the hardships
exposure and privations Which they have
endured are considered the troopers are in
remarkably good physical condition
All OF the men who went with the battery
except three returned on the Ccncha. The
three were Privates II. c. Patterson, Car
ney and Rutledge, all of whom are on their
way here on the hospital ship Relief. They
are i'll with fever, but the officers of the
battery report that their cases are not Sc
rious, and speedy recovery for each Of the
men is considered certain.
When the Concha arrived it was reported
that there was not single case of sickness
other than colds and other slight indisposi-
tions, but later in the day two members of
the battery were found to be suffering from
malarial fever. These men are Privates
George Kuhn and Oscar Amthor. They are
being given the best of attention and it is
not expected that their illness will prove
serious. They accompany the rest of the
battery on their journey TO Indianapolis
All of the members of the battery were
delighted to get back to America, and so
expressed themselves, adding that their
pleasure would be increased when they set
foot on Indiana soil. The pleasure of the
men at reaching their native shore did not
however, prevent them from complaining
OF the treatment they received on the way
to Porto Rico, and there were numerous
charges against certain of the commissioned
officers. The most important of the charges
is one against Lieut.. Edward Johnson, of
misappropriating canteen funds belonging
to the battery, which have already been
aired in the Indianapolis papers through
letters from members of the battery from
Porto Rico. This and other charges were
reiterated to-day by the men and put in
more specific form. The amount in dispute
Is estimated by the men at 81, 200 and sew
eral OF them expressed an intention to pre-
fer charges and insist upon an investiga-
ton. Lieutenant johnson declined to dis
cuss tho charges against him further than
to say they are false and will be proven so.
The Concha arrived at quarantine about
1880 this morning, the reports received last
night that she had put into port at Fortress
Monroe to put ashore sick soldiers having
proved untrue. Health officer Doty board
ed the transport about 930 a. m, and, after
examining her. pronounced her the health
lest and cleanest of the troop ships which
have arrived here. She was allowed to pro-
ceed at once to the Pennsylvania Railroad
dock in Jersey City. much to the gratifica-
ton of the soldiers on board.
At quarantine Mrs. O. II. Palmer and
Mrs. 1. v. Webb. of the woman's auxil-
iary, of Indianapolis John w. Kern and
Representative Jesse Overstreet boarded
the transport, through the courtesy of
Health Officer Doty. They were taken out
to the vessel in one of the health officers
boats The moment the Concha was made
fast to her pier in Jersey City some of the
members of the Indiana battery and other
commands aboard hurried ashore, heartily
glad to be on terra firma once again. The
Indiana battery was looked after in Jersey
City by the committee mentioned and Rep
resentative Overstreet Mr. Overstreet said
he came here in his private capacity and
simply to see his townsmen and to help
make things agreeable for them. The men,
bers of the committee. fearing that scme of
the members of the battery might be ILL.,
brought with them medical supplies and
celicacies.
The indianapolis boys were very enthusi-
astic over the welcome they got from that
Representative Overstreet and the commit
tee they cheered wildly, the members of the
other batteries looking on enviously. There
was chaos of greetings, interrogat tions,
jokes and laughter.
How do we feel?' asked a big, strapping
man. his feet dangling over the ships rail-
I'VE feel like having something decent to
eat. Hungry? That's no word for it,
Where are the committees with some
tasty stuff?" asked a swarthy face, framed
in a portfolio. of the crowd on the pier
IT thought we'd find lot of good things
waiting for US. Where are they?"
Ir another part OF the boat bewhiskered
young soldier was counting American cents
and nickeis in Spanish "Chinca centeens-
is that right. Peter?" he asked his COM
rade. That's about all learned at Porto
Rico" Here the soldier produced some
Spanish coins which he said he had OBJ
tanned from the best friend he had among
the natives. He was stupid, half-naked
darky, and he told me in mirics that the
Spaniards were only fit TO have their
throats cut. and that the Americans were
q lovely set that one ought to hug and kiss
Relcs2 How can you expect anything from
q people like the Porto Ricans, who have
no Individuality and manufacture almost
nothing except sticks with which to drive
oxen? Here is one" he continued, taking
q long white knot-covered stick from one
OF his comrades. "They are so low In intel
ligence that almost anything is legal ten
der with them. Two pieces of hardtack Is
q centavo. for instance. The Porto Rican
women thought US a lot OF nice fellows