The herald., 1898-06-06
TIE Big Gun BOYS
GOSSIP OF THE HEAVY ARTIL-
LERY At FRISCO
The Sick Officers Are Again Attending
to Their Duties-Events Of
Camp Life
Special Correspondence to The Herald

Special Correspondence to The Herald
Preside, San Francisco Cal, June
S.-Great changes are about to be made in
the battalion. Two hundred and sixteen
men are TO be added. fifty-four to each bat
terry, making the full force of each 290 men.
Battery c leaves for Fort Candy, on the
Columbia river Sunday morning. Battery
j. has already been assigned here and is
under the post commanders orders, and
When Battery c leaves A and d will lie the
only ones left together.
1t is rather expected that We A and d,
will leave for Manila about Wednesday Or
Thursday of next week, but we are not yet
certain that we will sc at all: however,
all preparations are being made for an
ocean voyage, and in the battalion quarter
masters department is q sufficient stock of
uniforms, hats ard other wearing apparel
to equip another 400 men, and it is very I'M
likely that so large Il stock would be kept
u it was Intended to keep the whole bat
talon within q short distance OF the supply
depots.
Wednesday evening Captain Steere made
temporary appointments for sergeants,
gunners and corporals, but 1 will refrain
from mentioning the names owing to the
liability that some of the appointees fail
to retain their positions, and the knowledge
of reduction to the ranks would be exceed
!rgly disagreeable to the men and would I'M
doubtedy he. unpleasant to their friends.
The battalion has been presented with an
artillery standard Of red silk with gold
cross cannon and inscription, and now has
more flags than 1t can conveniently carry.
When it comes to the assignment of the
different batteries to different stations, how
ever. the colors will be greatly appreciated,
as then each battery will carry its own
standard instead of single flag for the
whole battalion as at present.
A March
Monday morning we marched to the Cen
trail avenue gate of the Preside to meet the
Decoration day parade from the city, and
the day was more tittngly celebrated than
1t has been for many years. The present
hostilities undoubtedly caused a general
feeling against the celebration of the day
after the manner of the past few years.
On Tuesday we had inspection under
heavy marching orders, every man carry
Ing a rifle, canteen. knapsack and haver-
sack, with all the necessary articles for a
forced march or active service in the field.
pounds, but was so evenly distributed
that the march of a couple Of miles did not
tire us in the least.
The men are getting quite proficient IN
handling their rifles. AS yet no shots have
been fired but if they shoot as we'll as they
do the balance Of the movements required
/ don't believe the Spanlards will have
much chance.
Both Captain Steere and Lieutenant Nc
Keeby were On the sick list for few days,
but both are again on duty. There seems
to be an epidemic Of grippe and very few
have been exempt. Otherwise the COM
mand is in excellent health.
The food seems to be getting better, at
least it tastes better. 1t may pc due to the
fact that we are only becoming accustomed
to it, but the various dishes are relished
more than before. Hardly a day passes
that we do not have fresh meat, and for
supper we usually have some kind of desert
or fresh fruit. OF course the fruit is not
furnished by the government, and is only
an extra, but our friends keep US well sup
piled.
Eager for the Mail
Our main excitement and the center of
attraction lies in the receipt of mail. There
are two deliveries a day, and the change
in the expressions on the mems faces as
they call for 1t makes quite study. They
grow measurably shorter when they find a
letter waiting for them. and the look of
disappointment when they find none is In
some cases almost painful. The division
is hardly fair, for, while some of the boys
get letters by every mail. others must be
conteMted with one in three or four days.
C. c. Brewer. formerly connected with
the carrie. service of the Los Angeles post
office, has been detailed for service in the
oDartermaster's office and will in all prob
ability, be one CT the permanent force of
that department.
The guard lines are very strictly kept now,
ard any one failing to get inside before call
to quarters Quarter to 1O) is taken to the
guard tent and registered.
Paying the Penalty
Those who have the misfortune to be so
taken have the pleasant prospect of day
or two in the "street cleaning department"
and upon a second offense are allowed the
privilege Of occupying the guard house
for a while. The boys in their brown can
vas work suits. industriously pursuing a
broom around the quarters or up and down
good deal of joshing. No one thinks of
getting angry. however, for a great many
have already undergone the experience
and others do not know when their turn
will come.
There Is some talk of our being moved to
Camp Richmond so as to be with the rest
of the volunteers, the end of the week.
Every one is hoping that the rumor will not
materialize, as the change from our pres
ent comparatively luxuriantly quarters to
the dirt and inconvenience of life in tents,
is not relished.
Our visitors are not nearly sol numerous
as they were before Camp Richmond was
started. The men there greatly outnumber
us, and In consequence have the larger
number of visitors, but we are not deserted,
and those having friends in the batteries
are even more attentive than before.
ROBERT 3. PARSONS.
California at the Capital