The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-16
PREPARING FOR FLORIDA
GOVERNORS REQUEST TO HAVE
161sT SENT TO JACKSONVILLE.
Officers Now Mustered-War Depart
ment Detnches Lieut.. Peterson-A
ColOred Deserter Stoned.

the Observation-Disclosures Regiment
Is to go to Jacksonville, if the matter is
settled according to the choice of the state
and regimental officers. None of the officers
at Camp Mount will take the responsibility
on himself and make a public statement TO
this effect, but the indications at the camp
and the statement Of Governor Mount point
strongly to this move. AS an indication of
this, most of the day yesterday was passed
by the staff officers in discussing arrange
ments for the removal Of the regiment from
Camp Mount to Jacksonville and the vari-
Gus things which must be provided for be-
fore the start is made. One thing has been
decided on. The railroads are disposed to
treat the boys according to the weather and
provide plenty of room for them in the
coaches en- route. There will be a dining
car attached to the train to Jacksonville,
and plenty of accommodation for the regi-
mental baggage.
The matter of removing the troops to
Jacksonville has been kept a secret by all
concerned, although the Journal several
days ago reported the receipt by the Gov
ernor Of an invitation to have the regiment
sent to Jacksonville. At that time the Gov
ernor denied having sent any request to the
War Department asking to have the regi-
but since that time he is reported to have
changed his mind and made the request.
When asked about this last night, Gov
ernor Mount parted the question by saying,
well, 1 thirk that is a leading question.
However, 1 believe such a request from me
would be granted and the soldiers and Of
ficers at the camp would like to go there"
The Governor made it plain, while not adj
hitting or denying the fact, that he had no
interest in the matter beyond pleasing the
regiment, while from other sources the
statement is made positively that the 1e-
quest is now in the hands of the War De-
partment. The reason generally given for
the Governors refusal to commit himself is
desire to keep the matter quiet until he
knows by the answer from the War De-
partment that his request is in good form.
THE OFFICERS MUSTERED.
Col. Winfield It. Durbin. Lieut.. Col. Vic
tor M. Backus and Maj. Matt r. Peterson
were mustered into the observation-disclosures
sixty-frst Regiment last night by Lieut..
Waterman. All day yesterday the three
men were on the anxious seat, wondering
why the War Department did not answer
the telegram sent by Governor Mount, ask
ing for leave of absence for Lieutenant
Peterson. About o'clock the long-delayed
message came in from Washington and
Governor Mount at once transmitted the
substance of it to Lieutenant Waterman.
1t said, in effect, Lieutenant Peterson was
relieved Of duty in the regular army in
definitely in order to permit him to accept
the majorship in the e-hundred-and-
sixty-frst Regiment of Indiana Volunteers.
Without any furry Colonel Durbin called
the men together, and, making known the
situation, told Lieutenant Waterman they
were all ready to be sworn in as officers of
the regiment. None but the officers and or
derlies in the building were present at the
muster After the ceremony each of the
officers was congratulated by all the COM
pany commanders, and, after a liberal
handshake all around, everyone retired to
rest. The commissions for all the regi-
mental and company officers will be issued
to-day by Adjutant General Gore.
The last of the companies now at Camp
Mount were mustered last evening at
o'clock when Captains Buckner and Porter
marched their colored troops up the drive
way to headquarters, where in a few words,
they were called off and mustered after the
regular formula without any demonstration.
The men showed the effects of strict mill
tary discipline, and went through their ma
neuvers with precision
A sure enough deserter was found in camp
yesterday, and for time Captain Guthrie,
as officer of the day, had a small riot on his
hands. While Captain Buckners company
of colored troops were signing the muster
sooner had he taken this stand when his
fellow-soldiers hustled him out of the quar-
tiers and commenced to beat and stone him.
For a time rocks flew about promiscuousy,
without, fortunately, hitting anyone but the
luckless boter When, however, the affair
took on the appearance of a riot, Captain
Guthrie thought it time to interfere, and,
with the help of the colored officers, got the
men under control The man, whose name
is given as Aaron Brown, made his escape,
somewhat battered. He is from Evansville.
Chaplain Bederwolf is a hard worker.
Yesterday he had his chorus of fifty voices
out in front of the horticultural building
for practice. With them came a cornetiSt
from Hammond and Captain Smith, who
led the exercises. For an hour the air was
full of sacred songs, which were enjoyed by
a large number of the men sitting about on
the grass. All the regimental officers join
ed the crowd and added their testimonies or
good will for the chaplain to those OF the
men.
Yesterday was the quietest day passed
since the d-and-sixty first Reg
iment went into camp. The great heat
made even the Monticello sentries indolent,
and as there were less than a dozen visit
ors in the camp during the day, every man
felt very much at his ease. Colonel Durbin
discarded dignity for the time and paced up
and down in the shaded parts of the walks
in a flannel shirt and trousers. His exam
pie was followed by nearly all the officers
except Major Peterson, who looked cool in