The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-28
MANY OF THEM
WERE VERY SICK.
Rheumatism and Consumption Among
CoIored Soldiers.
NEARLY HALF WERE REJECTED.
According TO Their Own Statements
They Were Totally Unfit for Service
Major Shanks Put I'm Day OF
Hard Work.

IL the representations made by some
OF the colored soldiers be true, Jackson
Ward Is a very unhealthy place, and the
extent to which consumption and rheu-
matlsm have taken hold Of would-be war
riors IS something remarkable.
Major Shanks, the army officer desig-
mated to muster IN the two battalions OF
colored troops. began his work yesterday.
lie went to the armOry OF First Battalion,
on Leigh street near Brook avenue, and
spent nine and half hours there. lte
had to reject nearly One-half OF those
who appeared before him on their own
statements as to their physical condi-
ton.
THEIR TALES or WOE.
lie went to work on Captain Nichols
company, and during the morning hours
nearly every man said he had either
rheumatism or a cough that indicated
inciplent consumption. OF course, 1t was
not worth the while 10 pass such persons
along to DR.. Alexander. the surgeon OF
the battalion, for further examination.
IT was evident that many did not wish
to 20 to war. and Major Shanks in the
afternoon told all such TO go home, as
they were not wanted: the crowd thinned
out considerably. Both OF the lieutenants
and the first sergeant had to be rejected
Major Shanks got ia "a good days work
and he was nearly broken down when
his labors for the day were ended. lie
will continue the examinations to-day
THE SITE NOT SELECTED.
II has not been decided where the coll
ored troops shah be modified. Governor
Tyler has offers of the True Reformers
farm. above Richmond: Mr.. Singleton
haI aa g.
Charles and one near High Bridge, on
the Norfolk and Wester nrOad. No choice
| has been made. Major Price. the quarter
| master officer is here ready 10 do his
part toward getting the troops into camp
The site will be decided upon to-day and
| contracts awarded.
Major ShankS examined II soldiers yes
torday OF which number 40 were accepted
and 81 rejected.
AFTER THE ABSENTEES.
The killing and wounding OF "A number
Of American soldiers in Cuba has had a
temperate effect upon some individuals
who were month ago apparently RAM
pant to get into the thick OF the fight
Every time a soldier gets killed It has a
somewhat conservative influence upon not
a few who would rush hcadlong into the
fray.
When the work Of mastering In tho
three companies OF negro troops COM
menced yesterday some OF those who
were expected to be present were not
on hand. Just where they were nobody
seemed to know. and the cause Of their
absence was not satisfactorily explained
Some one suggested that several OF the
absentces had appeared 10 be much IN
terested in the daily papers during the
last day or two. and especially in the
accounts of the battle in which the rough
riders were killed
After a conference 70 was decided %
send out a squad on a accommodating tour
with instructions to find the missing sol
diers and bring them to the armory. The
squad was soon at work Some Of the
| missing men were found al various
places. One was driving a dray for one
al the wholesale establishments on east
Cary street.
"Drap dem lines" commanded n mem
Der OF the squad in uniform ana carrying
a gun with bayonet attached. "Drap
dem lines, ! say, and come along here
wild me. repeated the soldier in uniform
advancing with his piece carelessly COW
ering the drayman. I'm got my orders
10 bring you wild me ef / has TO DO IL on
de pint OF dis banet SO you jes' as well
git er move on YOU. Come along nlsser
Dis here amt no foolin'.'
The drayman looked half scared and
half puzzled. lie hesitated a moment and
got down from his seat. you ain't gwine
ter stick me wild dat banet, l knows you
amt" said he.
"Yas. but S. ef you don't move right
along wild me. You see denis my orders
and you knows ies' as we'll as l does dat
dis'plin' is dis'plin', and der amt no
other way TO do in militia matters You
done hearn me- amt you, niger? I done
tole you onct TO come along. Now
DON'T want ter carry you back on de pint
Of dis banet. see?'
CHANGED HIS MIND.
But I done changed my mind bout
dis here war. don't see no use n fight
In dem Spaniards. Dey amt never done
nothin to me. When dey inyades us,
denis time enough for US to vance
agains' 'em. l don't Ike dis business no
how. De fact of de business IS dis here's
a unholy war. and you knows dat ies' as
well as I does Now les reason dis thing
out right here TO we so any further
What's de use OF u.s.
"Dat amt de question. I never came
down here fur to argue dis thing. l amt
got no business sayin' whether de war
is right or wrong What business sol
der got discussin' desc questions2 Sol
Eiers' business to hey orders. and OATS
lies what Is here for now. Ny s'perior
officer give me my orders 10 bring you
niggers back here ef have to do 1t on de
end OF dis banet and OATS jes what 1
ywine do. Forward dere, niger. march,!
ordered the member Of the squad. press
ing his bayonet against the drayman.
The latter looked out OF the corners OF
his eyes. hesitated A moment. then start
ed slowly for the armory in front OF his
uniformed companion.
The orther members of the squad ex-
perienced equally as much difficulty I'm
drumming up some OF the absentees.
They secured various parts OF the city,
and held a council Of war on east Cary
and other streets 10 discuss the situation.
Some OF those missing never showed up
at all IL Is said. While others were pep
suaded after much argument TO proceed
to the place where the mastering was
going on.