New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-22
ADVANCING IN PORTO RICO.
ROTH MEN AND OXEN EXHAUSTED BY
SHORT MARCHES.
-,,, ,,oyrMrxr or GENERAL HENRY's DIVISION
TOWARD AREc!Bo-A SAMPLE OF RE"u-
LAR ARMY DISCIPLINE.

LAR ARMY DISCIPLINE.
,.,o,, sr,vF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rTIBuNEl
,a,rntas. Torto Rico. Aug. 11.-General
,,,r,. provisional division. or. rather. General
(~rro.son's brigade reached this place last
INC after a three days' march from Ponce,
...,,,v-four miles distant. on the route the
.,,,snd crossed the highest range OF the Cor
s,,,sras Central, the elevation at the highest
ut being approximately about six thousand
e., above sea level The road TO- the greater
-, - tho route is ono O. the frtst specimens
>, tho road builders skill and It seems to be
.,..,e, Incredible that men who were carefully
,.o.od cor the United States service could not
,r he distance IN better time. When the
-, n. .he first days march twelve miles. was
hoa not more than 80 per cent % the men
-. Two regiments were able 20 answer the
"uo,u II is true hat the weather was eXcos-
-,,.oly warm but FOR men in good condition the
"a. should not have proved so serious an I'M
,sal,en.. especially as they travelled Tight -
H.. Is with only their rifles. canteens and
o,,,r,1ge belts AL their other equipments were
orriod In oxcarts by order Of General Mics.
who feared that serious results would follow Il
tho men had 10 climb mountains with the added
weight General Aiiless order. of course. was
nron1ptod by his desire 20 save his men ana 10
enable them to march with rapidly TO their dos
,,notjon. which IS Arecibo. distant forty five
miles from Ponce Yet with all these humane
nrocar.ions the men struggled at a rate that
was nothing short Of shameful Not all Of them
were in camp at s o'clock in the morning. al
though the advance guard had reached the end
= the days march at o'clock the previous
evening.
To add 70 the discomfort, Of the command the
oxen which were drawing the equipments, ra-
tons and ammunition gave out along the road.
and that night the man who carried his blanket
and few hardtacks was accounted a piutocrat.
Only by the most strenuous efforts Of the OIL
GERS wer, tho men enabled 20 got food FOR the
evening meal. perfect tropical night with
try ground beneath and a clear sky above. made
II possible for the weary marchers to sleep in
comparative comfort.
DELAYED By THE OX-TRAIN.
The next days march was not begun until
o'clock in the afternoon. as TO give the OK
train chance 70 catch up This chance how
ever. was not accepted FOR the poor beasts, who
were driven double their usual distance on the
previous day had not had sufficient food or res,
70 permit them 70 make the Journey with any
thing Ike the speed necessary to reach the
collected camping ground. six miles away, by
nightfall. General GarretsOn, who is in I'm
mediate command apparently overes;imatcd the
recuperative powers OF the Porto Rican OK As
on the previous day, the advance reached the
camp ground hours before the oxen began 70
arrive but the weather conditions were re
versed. and by the time the order 10 halt was
given a drenChpg rain was falling. This storm
continued until the men were soaked and the
ground was one vest mud puddle. Lowering
clouds had threatened rain from noon. and II
gems almost incredible that commanding Off
Ger should have permitted his men TO get so far
from their shelter tents and rations. As a con-
eeouence tho mon lay around the ground wet
and hungry until morning, except In few
cases when energetic company officers sent de-
tails back three or four miles for enough food
10 provide belated but appreciated supper.
Yesterdays march brought the command over
ire mountain SUBMITS into the valley Of The
Rio Vivi. one Of the tributaries Of the Rio
Arecibo. The six miles were covered In excel
lent time. but there a great deal more
s,raggling than was necessary. As usual, the
ox-trains were far behind. but with the ass.s--
ance Of the pack-,rains parked here sufficient
food was obtained 10 give the men their sup
pors. -
REGULARS AND VOLUNTEERS.
The differen e between a commanding officer
from the Regular Army and volunteer was
never better exemplined than by the appear
anco Of the camping ground Of the brigade last
evening an hour after the arrival Of the troops.
In the brigade arc the Gth Illinois and the 9Th
Massachusetts. The latter command. since its
regimental officers were forced to resign. has
been under Colonel Edward Rice who is well
remembered the organizer and commanGant
Of the Columbian Guard at the WORLDS Fair
Colonel Rice took hold only a few days ago.
but he has already made his hand felt. Pre-
v.ous 70 yesterdays march he ordered that his
men should carry their packs and also take
sufficient rations 20 provide FOR a meal imme-
diately after going into camp. Within an hour
after the halt was sounded the camp Cite vas
dotted with shelter tents. officers quarters and
hospital tents were ny and brightly BLAZING nrcs
gave promise OF q meal. on the other s!le uf
the field thousand hungry Illinois volunteer
were waiting for the wagons or planning 70 q.
into the town and purchase a bite of the scan'y
STOCK on aand.
IL the march 10 this point not q hostile face
has been seen. nor has there been anything but
frendiiness displayed by the natives. Un.ces
orders should come revokins those already
issued this brigade Will roach Arecibo on Tues
day. At Arecbp It is planned to effect a june
ton with General Schwans command and botA
organizations will then join General Wilson an !
General Brooke IN front Of San Juan.
1t is among the possibilities that Arecibo may
make defence as artillery has recently bceh
rent there and a corps OF engineers has been a;
work surveying for Publications.
CONQUERED PUBLIC PROPERTY.