The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-26
Special to the Scranton Tribune.


Camp Meade, Middletown. Pa. Sept. 25.
eThe trial of Major &. II. Parke still
continues to arouse interest. especially
among the men OF the Thirteenth, all
of whom would be happy to see him
come out victorious. He made his first
strategic move in selecting General
Goblin and Captain Norris, OF the Third
brigade, to represent him and to fight
his battle to the end. Both are not
only skilled in all that relates to SOL
diering, but are also versed in all the
technicalities Of law, civil and military.
In addition to this, General Goblin is
noted for an asgressiveness which is
far from deserting him in the present
instance. Judging by appearances, 1t
will take some time for the case to be
ended-if IL does not fail and die of
sheer exhaustion. Major Parke does
not intend to relax, in the least degree,
In his efforts to go right to the bottom
of the case, to fully ventilate the
carges, and the animus which under
lies them.
Since the arrival of the troops here
camp got its first good drenchnE
Thursday afternoon and night. Soon
after dinner the drops began to fall;
before supper a fairly good shower was
in progress, and this continued for sew
eral hours, so that a check roll had to
be called at Q o'clock. Those who were
compelled to be outside on duty kept
themselves dry and warm by means of
their ponchos and gum boots. Inside
the tents everything was comfortable,
and 1.-The men had the first good oppor"
tunity of appreciating the value of the
tent floors and how much they add to
the enjoyment of life here.
CAUSES MERRIMENT.
There is no limit to the amount Of
grim merrlment INDUCED in here by the
men over the propositions, which have
been discussed in several papers, rela-
tive to moving the troops to Philadel-
pha and vicinity, and quartering the
different regiments temporarily in
hotels during the real cold weather.
and previously to sending them to Cuba
and Porto Rico. The whole matter is
looked upon as a gigantic hoax, pure
and simple. visionary, impracticable, too
good to be true. To say that all are
still manifesting a lively interest in the
development OF affairs in general, and
are specializing earnestly upon the
tered out in the course of a few months,
would be a rather mild statement Of
the actual feelings of the men. II not
voiced in words. the number of men
who say in their hearts, Who will be
the next fortunate ones to be mus
tered out?" is simply legion and this
fact becomes more and more apparent
every day. In the meantime the talk
of quartering the troops in hotels in, or
near, the city Of Philadelphia is pro-
vOking only laughter.
That the commissioned officers Of the
regiment, both line and staff, are hav-
ing their own share of sickness is be-
coming more apparent daily. A rough.
but practically accurate, calculation of
the percentage of sickness among the
enlisted men and the officers of the
regiment shows that, of the officers,
twenty-five per cent. Of them are now
absent from camp but only about eigh-
teen per cent. of the men.
CONCERTS EVERY NIGHT.
One of the most pleasing features Of
camp life to the members of the Thir-
teenth is the concerts which are given
every night in front of headquarters by
the band, conducted by Sergeant T. II.
Miles. Since the band men were en-
listed in June they have improved Won
derfully, and have learned to play to-
gether to the best effect. Under the
skillful leadership Of Sergeant Miles
they have been accomplishing wonders,
and every evening, when they begin to
render their choicest selections they
are applauded not only by the men,
bers of their own regiment. but by men
from five or six states, for the fame of
the Thirteenth's band has spread far
and wide. 1t can now compete with. il
not surpass, any musical organization
in camp, and the boys all feel proud
of it..
Corporals Northrup and Van Scoten,
of q, left for their homes in Montrose
last night on a seven days furlough.
Corporals Schmidt, of C; Malott, of
B. and Lathrop, of A, are on brigade
guard today.
Privates Truman Surdam, of d, and
Harold Gillespie, of the hospital corps.
have returned from home after a weeks S
furlough.
Private Henry Evans, of b, returned
here last night from his home in Tay-
Tor, where he spent thirty days on a
sick furlough.
Private Michael Gilmartin, of II, has
had a touch of malarial fever.
Corporal William Bower, of A, spent
yesterday in Harrisburg.
Corporal William p. Jennings. of d.
has been temporarily detailed as clerk
at brigade headquarters.
Captain Frank Robling, of c, is en-
tertaining his wife, Mrs. Robling. his
sister, Miss Frances Robling, and his
sister-in-law,s Miss owens, in camp for
a few days. Richard j. Bourke