The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-06
THE 18TH is NO MORE
CAMP MOUNT DESERTED SAVE FOR
A SMALL GUARD.
About $4,000 Used in Paying on Reg
imeat-CompIiment to HOOs-
Ter Soldiers.

Only a small guard from the One-hundred-
and-fffty- Regiment remained to guard
Camp Mount last night. All of the COM
panies had gone from the grounds before
8 o'clock, and the deserted appearance of
the grounds reminded one of long unoc-
cupied house. 1t did not seem possible that
a few hours before two thousand men had
been there and made everything gay with
laughter and songs. A bleak day saw the
last of the Observation-Disclosures fifty eighth
Regiment. But it was with no foreboding
of evil that the soldiers left their comrades.
Even those who are without means to make
a living felt happy and confident. A great
many men say that they would re-enlist II
there was a prospect for fighting, but these
declare that they would try to get with the
regulars next time.
About $4,000 was the entire amount paid
to the regiment with the exception of the
salaries of those officers who are waiting for
their certificates of nonindebtedness. Col.
Smith was at the camp during the day, and
shook hands with the boys as they went
away Chaplain Christensen, Major Rich
and others made short talks. Quite a num-
Der Of citizens were present to see the mus
ter out Of their friends. One old man was
there who has been at the camp often lately
to see his son. He lives at Greenfield, and
came to Indianapolis both Friday and yes
terday to see his boy get out He has be-
come known to the boys of the regiment
as Wandering Willy" and they have often
smiled at his queer ways, but in their
hearts all have honored his devotion
For a few of the officers there will be
enough work to occupy some time yet.
Colonel May will not have much relief until
after the One-hundred-a nd-fifty-nin Reg
1ment is mustered out lie says, however,
that the One-hunderd-and-ffty should
remain only few days. A day for the
muster out will be set as soon as the men
arrive. Colonel May is sending instructions
to the officers so that they can do their
work without so many mistakes. At the
hospital the work is comparatively light.
There were only twelve patients last night
and all were doing well. The police finally
concluded to stop the robbery from which
the soldiers were suffering, and the presence
of policemen has stopped the gambling at
the roadhouse at the gate of the fair
grounds.
Captain Biegler, of Terre Haute, arrived
at the camp yesterday, and will succeed
Captain Mcdowell as commander of the
One-hundred- and-fifty- guard. Pay
master and Major May will remain in In
dianapolis for a few days. Major Cleland
for Chicago last night In speaking of the
soldiers he said: II have found the soldiers
here a very intelligent, orderly body of men.
AS regiments they are above the average.
The men are remarkably intelligent. l have
examined the rolls of seventeen organiZa-
tions, and not less than 1900 men, and in
all that number l think there were only
three that had to use a mark for signature
Their handwriting, too, was that of intelli-
gent men. 1t was that of men accustomed
to writing. / could tell who were the boys
from the farm by the stiffness of the
stroke"