The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-12
For Non Payment of the
Naval Reserves.
NO ROSTER FORWARDED.
NO BILLS SENT FOR CLOTHING.

There Is a great deal OF talk about
the Rhode Island Naval Reserves not
having been paid the amount due them
from the state for active service be-
fore the term of their enlistment in the
United States navy. but as a matter of
fact the state Is not to blame for the
delay. The officials at the state mill
tary headquarters have endeavored
time and again to get from Commander
w. Mccarthy Little a roll of the men
in service In order that payroll could
be made up, but no attention has been
paid to their request.
1t is a fact also that the naval re-
serves have been compelled to pay for
the clothing furnished to them by the
government, although II was said that
the state would defrsy the expense.
The fault for this, as stated by Adjt
Gen. Sackett. rests with the command
ing officer OF the Rhode Island re-
serves. who has failed TO forward bills
for the clothing bought by the men.
The state stands ready to pay these
bills as soon as they are received.
Will Resume Drills.
Now that the weather appears to be
slightly improved, battery drills will be
resumed at Quonset Point, and Ii is not
improbable that in few days march
of several days will be made by Bat
terry A, as II Is believed that much
valuable experience may be gained In
the line CO campaigning. This tour Will
probably last at least five days, but the
details have not yet been perfected In
the meantime both batteries are becom-
ing more and more perfect in the gun
drill, and now that horses are avail
able the work is very interesting.
The government rations which are
now being served to the artillerymen
are much better than they were. par
ticularly as plenty of fresh vegetables
are being distributed. Most of this
seasonable food is raised in the imme-
diate vicinity of the camp, and Is
bought from the farmers. This Is In
accordance with the policy of the gov
ernment that whenever troops or bat
teries are stationed in camp or gar
rison, the locality in which they are
placed shall be, as nearly as possible,
other things being equal, the source of
supply for present needs. Thus not
only Is there a gain for the soldiers, but
also a gain for the agriculturists In that
section OF the state.
The hospital corps has not been kept
very busy, but is equal to any emer-
gency that may arise. The only seri-
Gus case which has occurred lately was
one caused by indulgence in canned to-
matoes by one of the batterymen, who
in the middle of the night was taken
very i'll. After some hard work the
hospital corps brought him around all
right. Mr.. A. r. Aldrich, who has had
charge of the Army Christian associa-
ton rooms for some time. expects to be
transferred to Montauk Point in about
10 days.
At Thoroughfare Gap.
The First Rhode Island Regiment is
now at Thoroughfare Gap Va, but
does not expect to remain there very
long, in view of the orders issued by
the secretary of war. In fact. Col.
Abbot is looking for orders from the
division commander at any minute for
a movement of the entire division to
the new camp at Middletown, Pa. near
Harrisburg, a distance of 153 miles.
The wagon train, which was ordered to
go to Dunn Loring yesterday, has been
ordered back, and everything points to
an early move. While the Rhode ISL
and men have not had any fighting,
they have had about every other sort
of campaign experience.