The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-27

If the Thirteenth regiment clings to
its present determination and the war
department adheres to the plans pro-
mulgated during the last few days re-
garding the recruiting of the quota of
the various states, there will be a con-
fiict at Mt. Gretna without any Spanish
in it.
AS explained previously and at length
the recruiting plans of the government,
as generally interpreted, will wipe out
the identity of the state militia organ
izations. Just what the war depart
ment proposes to do is not known, but
it is certain that the different COM
mands, as at present constituted, will
be greatly disturbed. 1t may be that
the militiamen upon being assembled
at Mt. Gretna, will be regarded SIM
ply as a body of 10000 men from
which the war departments recruiting
corps may select as many individuals
as it sees fit. 1t may be that some
ten Of the fifteen regiments consisting
the state guard may be kept intact and
transformed in a body into regular
army regiments by filling out the COM
panies with members of the five dis
integrated regiments and recruits from
the host of unnamed or quasi-disci-
plined volunteers who are outside the
gun and a Spanish target.
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
This latter plan is the one that Colo
mel Ripple believes will be adopted. 1t
will be acceptable, no doubt, to the ten
regiments that are kept intact, but
to the five that are to be split up and
parcelled off it will not be so acceptable
it is safe to say.
AS far as the local soldery is con-
,cerned 1t can be said with certainty
that it will not be acceptable if the
Thirteenth is to be one of the COM
mands subjected to the disintegratinS
process.
When the matter of differing the
militia with regular army men was
broached in congress, the Thirteenth
regiment officers and men unanimous
ly resolved to tender their services to
the government in case of war with
Spain, provided the regimental fOrma-
ton might remain as it was
This negative way Of announcing
that the regiment would not so out
except under its own officers has, with
in the past fOrty-eight hours, become a
positive declaration that if the govern
ment wants the services Of the Thir-
teenth it must take it whole and en-
tire, as it stands.
Every one of the central city COM
panies has formally agreed upon this,
and it is understood that all of the
others have reached similar decisions.
The officers of the regiment, at a meet
ing Monday night, discussed the ques-
ton again and it was the sense of the
meeting that the original resolution
would be adhered to. Colonel COursen
did not attend the meeting, but to a
Tribune reporter, last night, he eX-
pressed himself as being in total ac-
cord with the sentiments of his men,
and made the further statement that
General Goblin held similar views.
STAND MEANS MUCH.
As the Thirteenth because of the
juniority of its colonel, is one of the
five regiments that are expected to be
divided up and parcelled out to other
commands, the stand taken by its
members means much. Just what ef-
feet it will have can not be any more
than guessed at now, with the question
of the presidents power over the
militia remaining undecided. The next
few days will likely settle the question
finally, and il is safe TO say il will be
settled with satisfaction to all con
cerned and without any great com
motion.
There is but little new to add to the
programme of arrangements for the
departure of the regiment given in
yesterdays Tribune. A formal order
was issued by Colonel COursen yester-
day embodying the instructions re-
ceived from the governor. The out OF
town companies will come in during
the afternoon ana all companies Will
report at the armory at o'clock. The
start will be made from the Delaware
and Hudson station at $50 o'clock, and
it is expected Mt. Gretna will be reach.
ed at daybreak.
Bauer's band has volunteered to es,
cort the soldiers from the armory tC
the depot. The line Of march will bC
down Adams to Linden, TO Washing,
ton, to Spruce, to Wyoming, to lack,
awanna All along the line of marCt
preparations are being made for q
grand display of fireworks and at tn,
station, no doubt, thousands will ot
congregated to give the boys a rous
ing send off.
Colonel f. II. Ripple, who returned
to the city yesterday, visited Mt. Gret
ma Sunday. 1t had been raining hare
all night but so absorbent is the ma
ture OF the soil that there was no mu,
and ones boots would comparativel,
speaking, be unsoiled I'm walking about
The colonel says that she arrange
ments mapped out for the camp whicl
will be established Thursday, are ex
sslent and while the boys will hav
To erect their own tents and do the or
dinary services that soldiers on tn
field are expected to perform every
thing that thoughtfulness could sug
gest has been done. There will be a
abundance OF good wholesome food o.
the ground.
AT WILKES-BARRE
The Ninth regiment, Of Wilkes Barr,
will be under marching orders a shol
time before the Thirteenth tonigh