The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-06
THE REGIMENT IS SHORT
SOME OF THE COMPANIES NOT UP TO
THE STANDARD.
Attempt to Gust n RushviIle Captain
Remnants of Vic Backus Reg
iment Meet.

There is a movement on foot, IL reports
are to be believed, to force Captain Gwin,
Of Rushville, out Of the hundred and
sixty-frst Regiment. While none of the
officials in the Statehouse will admit the
probability of such an effort, another set
of men identified with military affairs main
tain the report to be true. The reason as
signed for it is, according to the report, that
Before the company from Rushville was or
dered to camp Captain Gwin reported it to
be recruited up to the full strength and all
or the men examined. When the company
arrived at the grounds there was found to
be only ninety-two men in the delegation,
fourteen of whom were later rejected by the
physicians The claim is made that he did
not act in good faith with the Governor in
misrepresenting the strength of his COM
pany, and, though none of the interested
parties will discuss the matter, it is possible
there may be developments before long.
The Monticello and Hammond companies
arrived at o'clock last evening, and record
time was made by the quartermaster's de-
partment in equipping them. In less than
twenty minutes the men were provided with
full paraphernalia and stood in line for
rations with the other companies Month
cello brought ITO men and Hammond 11S.
Both companies presented a good appear
ance.
There has been considerable talk INDUCED
In regarding the number of assertions from
the camp. Reliable authorities, however,
give the assurance of their being none in a
bona fde sense. Among the various COM
panies were several men who were pos
sessed Of physical defects not of sufficient
gravity to cause them to be summarily re-
iecfeI and fbav Vvore sIofcd FOR auoft,ar ox-
animation. Knowing their weaknesses,
some of these men, fearing to stand an
other examination. preferred to return
home. where they would probably have been
sent in any event. In the opinion of the
officers at headquarters the scope of the
term "desertion'' would have to be consid-
erably extended to include the actions of
these men. There were six such cases in
camp up to date.
A wild rumor was started yesterday that
two of the former companies in the old
Backus regiment, now defunct, would be
taken into the new Observation-Disclosures
first Regiment. The story could have had
no foundation from the fact of every va
cancy in the regiment being full. The ru-
NOR probably started because the Monticello
company is composed of two consolidated
companies from that town, one of which
was a company in the Backus regiment, the
present captain being one of the majors of
the regiment.
Colonel Durbin has at last decided to give
up his attempt to raise band in his own
regiment, and will recruit an entirely new
one in body. ARRANGEMENTS were made
yesterday with the Franklin Military Band
TO enlist twenty-four men in one batch as a
regimental band, and the leader is expected
here to-day to make the final stipulations.
The band Is said to be a first-class one,
and, though the men must necessarily be
enlisted into the different companies, the
organization will remain intact by the men
being detailed for permanent band duty.
Rev. w. u. Biederwolf, of Logansport,
who is the newly-appointed chaplain of the
observation-disclosures Regiment, ar
rived in this city last night from his home.
After spending the night at the Denison he
will pay his respects to Governor Mount
this morning and proceed to Camp Mount,
IN order to get acquainted with his new
flock. With new band and chaplain, it is
safe to say the boys will have Services at
camp next Sunday.