Evening star., 1898-05-24

two Americans. W. H. Streeks, an inter-
prefer, and II. f. NcDevitt.
While entering the camp last night these
three men were taken in custody by some
of the members of the 9th Ohio Battalion,
colored who mistook the mayor for Span
lard. Streek was also suspected by the sen
tinsl, because he spoke Spanish, and Nc
Dewitt was held because of~the company in
which he was found.
For some reason the prisoners were taken
to the guard tent of the 9Th Illinois. last
night, instead of to the tent in the camp CT
the 9th Ohio, and there they have been held
all the morning. This afternoon they will
probably be released on an order of Gen.
Graham.
Charges Of polluting the water come in
from every hand. and Gan. Heistand has
been trying to keep track of them all. The
one of yesterday afternoon grew out of the
attempt of one of the 9Th Pennsylvania
meE to drink from a spring not yet thrown
opsn to the troops. The others have little
or no foundation.
The Water supply.
General Graham had not been on the
grounds an hour before he began an in
vestigation of the question of water for
the troops 1t was found that the supply
was sufficient II not overly plentiful. but
he concluded to try to get more and better
water If possible Springs have been found
rear his headquarters, northwest of the
3,
the general thinks he can get all the drink
ing water the troops will need.
His intention Is to have the troops pipe
the entire camp from the springs men-
ticned above, sinking the pipe foot or
n.ore to keep the water from getting boil
ing hot. When this is done, which General
Graham expects will be within a week,
there will be no ground left for complaint
o. any sort.
Illness is prevalent to some degree. Colds
~. INN fn hn ha vNrin nNyn nrrlYHI Io f=nf
with measles close behind. Those i'll now
are Howard Dawson and P. P. Stevens.
privates in the 9Th Illinois, who are down
with pneumonia at Fort Myer; Private Will
fever, at Fort Myer; Privates Curtis and
Peliure, Company 1; Carl Patterson, Com
pany /; ID. c. McMannus. Company F, I.h
Ohio, measles, and Private H. E. Sutton,
Company Z, 1th Ohio. chickenpox; Victor
Ray, Company H. 7th Ohio, measles; Chas.
s Hoffman. Company NJ, I'd Pennsylvania,
measles; William Shultz, Company G, 159th
1hdiara. arm broken, and David Miller,
Company G. 159th Indiana. sunstroke.
Mail for Camp Alger.
A first-class military post Office service
has just been established at Camp Alger
by the first assistant postmaster general,
MI Perry Heath. Realizing the import
ance of giving the soldier boys the best ser
vice possible. Superintendent A. W. Machen
detailed with Mr.. Ivan Blackman. one Of
the oldest and best informed clerks in the
service, to regulate the postal system at
the camp. Two clerks from the city post
Office were detailed to assist them. and af-
was received today that the military post
office at Camp Alger was established and
in excellent working order With lot of
the old material on hand a number of
N hay han hlriIf md
class arrangement made for handling the
immense amount of mail that is pouring
into the camp.
1t has been found expedient to mass all
the mail for the camp at Falls Church. and
the DoStmaSterS at East and West Falls
Dunn Loring and the other small
offices In the vicinity. have been directed to
send all mail matter intended for the camp
to Falls Church. From this point it will be
distributed in pouches according to regi-
me1ts and sent TO the camp. At the camp
the pouches are turned over to the chap
Iains of the respective regiments, and by
him assorted according TO companies. An
orderly from each company assemblies at
the chaDlain's tent at a certain hour and
anxious to have the people understand the
of properly directing their let
ters. Not only should the company and
be named, but also the state from.
which the regiment comes. In this way
confusion will in a large measure be over
come.
When the post Office officials undertook
to establish the post office they found
about eighty letters addressed to the 9Th
Regiment. which had been called for. AS
there are four or five regiments of that
it can be readily seen how mis-
takes will occur Superintendent Machen
took these letters, however. and by tracing
the postmarks according to states sent the
letters to the corresponding regiments rep
the states One of the best ar
for the convenience of the SOL
diers is tine placing Of regular mail boxes
IN the center of each regimental camp
where letters may be posted.
Ordered to Camp Alger.
The 35d Michigen Volunteers has been or
dered to proceed to Camp Alger, Va, in
stead of 10 Camp George II. Thomas, at
Chick kar at infended