The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-22
Epecial to the Scranton Tribune.


forgotten by the men of the Second
army corps, ended it's existence yes
terday afternoon. when the Fourth
Missouri, the last regiment to depart.
left those now historic grounds, that
reason for moving from here is the
ago-a wilderness unreclaimed. The
Missouri came over the usual route,
the road which leads through Merri-
field and thence towards Dunn Loring,
and passed to the rear Of their former
neighbors. the Thirteenth, who gave
them hearty farewell and hoped that
their stay in Pennsylvania would be
pleasant. The Westerners appreciated
those evidences of good will. They left
for Middletown on an early afternoon
train.
The situation here contiues to be the
great riddle, unintellgible and unsol-
we'd. What should and what must be
done with the Second army corps is
a question which evidently perplexes
the War Department much more than
the capture Of Santiago and the con-
quest Of Porto Rico aid. The present
are now what they were three months
mystifying every day. Between the re-
moval of General Butler and the re-
sulting effects, and the reported fail
ure of Middletown as a camp, it is
hard to say whether the men are more
surprised than disheartened.
To a novice it would seem an easy
matter to select a perfect camping
ground, but this is just what experts
have been unable to do after so much
time and money spent in securing the
country in every direction. Colonel
Girard, the corps surgeon, and who
1t will be remembered made himself
unpopular at the opening of this camp
on the question of regimental hospitals,
has, very likely put a quietus on the
idea of selecting Middletown as a
camping ground for the entire corps
The report which he made last night
came as complete Surprise to all. An
eager expectancy to join their brothers
of the Second division had taken pos
session of every man in the command
stationed here. All were anxious to
leave and yearned for Pennsylvania,
where, 1t was expected, an admira BILE
site for camp had been selected and
was ready for occupancy. That they
have been once more sadly deceived
in this hope does not at all add to the
pleasures of life here. Dunn Loring
was looked upon as only a temporary
men had reason to expect that they
would be enjoying themselves on the
soil of the keystone state. Now they
are making a virtue out of necessity,
and are trying to be contented with
their lot.
The objections of Colonel Girard
against Middletown are strong and
specific. He says that what drinking
there iG NJ rNla iC
but that it is entirely inadequate to
supply an entire corps for drinking
and cooking purposes. Besides this
great drawback the water of the river
at that place is so polluted that is it
unfit for bathing. No wells either are
being sunk Under these conditions,
and when it is remembered the chief
of affairs continues to grow mora
insufticiency of the water supply. the
First division will not see Middletown
for many day, and perhaps, never
The strong probability that the corps
may be ordered to Cuba next month,
or in the early part of October, may
determine the war department to not
disturb this division again. At any
rate there is no immediate prospect of
a change.
INTERESTING SPECULATION.
A question of vital importance is now
going the rounds of this camp, and is
receiving considerable discussion by
the men. They have been reading the
papers, which inform them that the
war department, considering the war
practically at an end, and being un-
willing to make those of the volunteers
who would sacrifice too much by do
ing garrison duty in Cuba, to go there,
is beginning to consider it an advisable
plan to retain all those who wish to
go, and discharge those who feel that
they would be making too great a sac
rlfice by remaining longer. This news
has already aroused much interesting
speculation throughout the division. A
vote has been taken in several regi-
ments to ascertain the sentiments of
the men, but this is entirely informal
and unofficial. A majority of the First
New Jersey voted to not go, the vote
standing eight hundred as against
three hundred. The members of the
Seventh Ohio are in favor of going,
While those of the Eighth Pennsyl-
Vania are against it. The SiXty-fifth
New York is divided on the question,
but the full vote, which is by canvass,
Is not yet taken.
This question has aroused a most
lively discussion in the Thirteenth. As
soon as the rumored intentions of the
war department were known, the COM
missioned officers petitioned the col
onel to use his best endeavors to have
the Thirteenth sent to Cuba and
Porto Rico or any of the pres-
ent foreign possessions of the Unit
ed states, as a garrison, and this
was signed by nearly all of the COM
missioned officers of the regiment. The
petition was duly presented to Colonel
Coursen, who received it without any
comments. Then the enlisted men took
up the matter from their standpoint.
1t was thoroughly discussed from ey-
cry possible view, and last night sew
eral OF the non-commissioned officers
or the Second battalion and a few from
the First proceeded in a body to head
quarters and asked for a short audi
ence with the commanding officer. Col
onei Coursen stepped forward and was
In no way displeased TO meet them.
Corporal Dikeman of III, acted as
spokesman for those of the non-com-
missioned officers who went with him
and shared his sentiments. He stated
that they had been informed through
the papers that the war department
would give the volunteers the priv
ilege OF saying whether or not thew
would go to Cuba to do garrison duty.
or else be discharged. II such were
the case, the men, or those of them
who are sacrificing much by being here
even thus far, would like to give ex-
preston to their sentiments. They had