The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-01
Old Army Officers of Opinion that the
d-and-Fifty-Seventh
VIII BE Sent to Porto Rico.
COL. SMITHS CAMP INSPECTED
HIS MEN NOW HOPING TO BE Or
DERED TO FLORIDA SOON.
Officers of the Old Second and Fourth
Regiments Ordered to indianapolis
to Secure More Recruits.
Staff Correspondence of the Journal.

Staff Correspondence OF the Journal.
LYTLE, Ca, May 31.-Long before the
dawn of tomorrow the tents Of the One
hundred-and-fift -fifty-seventh Indiana will be
falling. This band of the Hoosiers will be
the very first regiment to move to Tampa
to join General Skaters advance forces in
the occupation of either Cuba or Porto Rico.
Colonel Studebaker's orders, issued this aft
ernoon, are to have his men ready to take
up the march to Ringgold. Ca, a dozen
miles over the mountains, at o'clock to-
morrow morning, and the same orders fix
the time of his arrival there at not later
waiting to take the regiment to Tampa over
the Western & Atlantic road, via Atlanta.
1t is doubtful whether the Hoosiers will
reach the far southern port of this country
before Friday morning. The men will have
practically the same railroad accommoda-
tions they had in coming to Chickamauga.
Tonight the baggage is all packed in the
tents and everything is in shape for the
abandonment OF camp at daylight The
bulky equipment of the regiment and the
rations will follow the regiment in the
wagons. which are to be run the train
just as they are, loaded for the march.
The fact that the wag Ems are not to be
taken apart, the usual method in shipment,
is of unusual import and it may be possi-
BILE they will be driven Immediately on
board Of transports when Tampa is reached.
There is hardly an officer In the regiment
tonight who expects to spend more than
week in the Florida seaport. Some of the
officers are cutting down the quantity of
baggage they brought with them here.
The men have their guns, although a good
many are without uniforms. In marching
to Ringgold, which will give the boys a
long, tiresome tramp, sufficient to make
them sleep we'll in the cars at night, they
will pass Colonel Smiths regiment and
near that of Colonel Gunder, who proposes
to give them a parting salute. Colonel
Smith will also have his band out and the
AAAUA"iiaPOAiS boyS VIII pc Il1Su up TO give
farewell cheers. The other regiments in the
brigade which leaves tomorrow will follow
the Indiana men, and by the end OF the
week the entire two brigades yill be in
Tampa
Old army officers here think the Indiana
men will probably be sent to Porto Rico.
figuring out that the government will send
the first volunteers there, as the Spanish
force in that island is comparatively small
and could be more easily conquered by raw
soldiers from the States.
Major General Breckenridge drove through
Colonel Smiths camp to-day and made
special inquiry as to the equipment of the
men and their efficiency at target practice.
This has increased the hopes of this regi-
ment for an early movement Lieutenant
Colonel Thayer and Adjutant Powell have
been designated by Colonel Smith to return
to indianapolis to recruit the companies to
the increased standard. Lieutenant Colonel
Kiger. of BIuffton, and Lieutenant Boston
Vail, of Marion, will perform a like service
for Colonel Gunder, while Lieutenant John
son will do the work for Battery A. These
men will go North as soon as the order
comes from the War Department. Battery
A men were vaccinated to-day.