The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-15
Special TO the Scranton Tribune.


At present the answer to this is neces-
sarily unsatisfactory in as far as it
is so uncertain in it's speculativeness
thot ii is not possible to arrive at a
definite conclusion. 1t is the unex-
pCcted which always happens, and in
this respect the volunteer army is no
exception.
The position of lieutenant colonel is,
o. course, much coveted one, and
it is not to be wondered at that some
of the officers of the regiment are de-
s'rOus of filing it, and that the rank
and file would prefer to see it happen
so. However, 1t is known that, un-
der the regulations governing the vol
unteer army the general government
nlay fill one staff position in each reg
iment with an officer of the regular
United States army. and rumors are
not wanting to the effect that this will
be the case with the lieutenant colonel
ency of the Thirteenth There are
many officers right on the ground who
ara efficient and capable of discharg-
ing all the duties of that position,
and the regiment would lose nothing
of its present prestige by having any
one of them so near it's head; but it
remains to be seen If the choice will
come from within the regiment itself.
STILLWELL is IN LINE.
If things were to take the usual and
natural course. Major +. w. Stillwell
OF the First battalion, would became
lieutenant colonel and his old position
would in all probability be filled by
Captain Frank Robing, of Company
G. Whether Captain Robling would.
however, accept the position, is not
known definitely. and it will be re-
membere that his loyalty to his COM
rany and his deep interest in it's well
fare did not permit him several months
ago WHEN the regiment was about to
enter the United States service to de-
sert his command even for the higher
honors of majorshp. His company
was then mostly composed of recruits
and the officers newly elected, and
now. though every man in his COM
pany would Srieve to see him leave
them and to be no longer able to ad-
dress him by the familiar name of
Captain. they are not SO selfish as to
wish him to refuse the position of
major a second time just for their
sake. These are some of the possible,
and. perhaps, probable, changes which
may take place inside of a few DAYS.
If the regiment be not then Joined by
Adjutant l.. T. Mates and by Quarter
master Fl. B. Cox. those two positions
would not unlikely become vacant
leaving Acting Adjutant David j. Da-
Wis and Acting Quartermaster Walter
+. Gunster as the logical candidates,
so to speak, for the respective posi-
tions which they are now filling with
so much efficiency and credit TO their
own abilities. One thing is certain
there are changes in the air, and pro-
motions for some officers and members
of the Thirteenth are not far distant.
Who the lucky ones will be time alone
can tell.
RUNAWAYS RETURN.
This afternoon Sergeant Iona b. Day
and detail of four men returned to
camp and brought with them eight
prisoners who were sWooped down up
on in Scranton. Several of the boys,
who We're either home or on the way
thither, fled from the day of wrath,
and, instead of waiting to be arrested,
hid till they got a favorable opportun-
tty to get out of town, and then headed
for camp at a rate of speed which as
tonished even themselves. In this re-
spect they showed no small amount of
common sense and of business tact.
Having been away for only a few days
and returning apparently contrite and
of their own free will, they received
light sentences; but those offenders
who We're arrested will not get off so
easily, and, besides their fines will
have to pay for the expenses and trav-
cling of the detail Of four men and ser
geant TO and from Scranton, There are
some, of course, whose previous records
in this respect are bad, and who there
fore, Will receive an exemplary punish
ment. There are not a few of the less
hardened runaways in the First bat
talon who are now thanking their
lucky stars that, on their return, they
found Captain Robling the acting
major. The captain believes that 1.-THE
quality of mercy is not strained" and
always tempers justice with a liberal
share Of that finer, higher virtue
This fact however, will not save some
of the men from their due share of
punishment-and these are the hard
ened offenders who always take mile
when they are given an inch.
BAND tONOltFO.
The popularity of the Thirteenths
band has been demonstrated once more.
The proprietor of the Hotel National
at Hummelstown, invited them out
there last night to give an open-air
concert and to partake Of his hospital
ity. He sent a large band-wagon to
camp for them, and they left from here
at 630 o'clock, being accompanied by
some Of the officers and as many of
the men as could obtain passes. A
very elaborate programme was pre-
pared and rendered in front of the
hotel. The people of the town turned
out in body, and were delighted with
the feast of melody which they had the
opportunity of enjoying. The band re-
turned late at night, speaking nothing
but praise of the hospitality of the
people of Hummelstown. They received
very cordial treatment which there-a
verdict with which every member Of
the Thirteenth, who visits that place,
has reason to fully agree. There is
nothing too good in Hummelstown for
the Pennsylvania soldiers.
Those members of the Scranton High
school who are now wearing the blue
of Uncle Sam in the Thirteenth, have
been very generously remembered by
their friends and classmates at home.
There are eight pupils Of that institu.
tion now In camp here-Corporal Ed
ward Frear, of C.: Corporals Richard
Kelly and Charles Geary. of d: Pri-
Yates Rowland Rice and j. Donald
Hull. OF A, and Corporals Charles
Wrigley and Oliver p. williams, and
Private Fred Moser, of f. The girls
of the high school rpcaptIy cant than,