The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-13
sGfN. MERRITT IS PROUD
OF THE MONTANA BOYS
Ths Volunteers WIN Hold Their Place With the Best of the
Tfoops-Camp Life at San Francisco-Thsy May
Be Sent to Honolulu.

~"
Special c~orseupondence Of the Standard.
Camp Merritt. San Francisco. June 8.
-Chrl fogB blew up IRON the cliffs over
hooking IN shores OF the Pacific ocean
tonight and the thousand soldiers from
Montana ere shivering In their boots
recalling to each other h beautiful
weather which their own beloved state
usually enjoys at this season Of the e a
LAA Friday and Saturday the weather
wa intensely hot here and b men
from the mountains suffered greatly
while undergoing drill for three hours
at . time in the hot sand. Thus far
since the arrival Of the Montana regi-
ment there has been no rain to speak
q and the soldiers are living In a n
knea deep.
Camp life here n delightful ana the
troops ere enjoying II immensely. This
q truly q glorious state. bountifully
blessed By nature and nourishing as
charming q people n can be found In
any part Of the world. All OF Califor-
mia b throbbing with a patriotic zeal
chat ID truly inspiring. The people here
are famously generous and hospitable
at all times, but their efforts to comfort
ana care for the troops that have been
sent here during recent weeks have
been unceasing and prodigiously sue
cessful The camp grounds have been
daily thronged with noble and beauti-
full ome directing h distribution of
tons Of delicacies. carloads Of beautiful
bouquets and useful little articles OF APP
parel for the boys In blue.
Il 10 one Of the grandest exemplihca-
lions Of American charity and lofty
patriotism ever witnessed In the United
States. This good work In not being
done BY . few hands; the lady In silk
and adorned with diamonds brings her
generous contributions In her carriage
ana walks from tent to tent with the
shop girls and domestics. distributing
SUBSTANTIAL evidences OF their t~ireless
hands and kindly hearts. The street
Enthusiastically all OF them-carry the
men In soldiers uniform free OF charge;
the theaters Givs them reduced rates;
, the bathing resorts give free baths ev-
cry few days 70 the troops; the big
nsWspapsrs give generous space and fair
treatment to every regiment; many OF
soldiers special and liberal discounts on
ell purchasss-everything possible il be-
Ing lone by The entire population Of this
magnificent city to tighten the burdens
and brighten the pathway Of the gallant
men who are under arms in response to
their country's call. California has fair
iy won the heart OF every soldier from
the East.
II IL a matter for sincere congratula-
tion that Montana's contingent remains
IN almost perfect health. Thus far there
has been less sickness among the Mon
ANA men han any other regiment sta
toned here. Even the troops OF the reg
ular army. accustomed as they are to
the h~ardships OF camp life and correct
-AA - nxrtH~ Aaxa SHAra1 Vntnh
more from illness than have the men
from the Treasure state. None OF the
men of the Montana regiment are seri-
ously I'll, not one of them Ii confined to
the hospital, they are all apparently
happy and contented and growing stout.
Several deaths ave occurred In other
regiments hat have cast a gloom over
the entire corps. -Four men have died
OF pneumonia The body OF one brave
boy. Sergeant Sullivan Of the Colorado
regiment. wal sent home to-day for
burial.
Lieutenant Colonel Wallace is working
like q beaver to get his command in
good order. and he Is succeeding admir-
ably. The men have shown a vast i'm
provement IN drill and discipline during
the past 10 dayA As an evidence OF the
standing obtained by the Montana regi-
ment. Il may be stated hat last sum
days Examiner contained an interview
with Major General Merritt, In which
he picked out the Montana regiment for
especial compliment. He said he was
particularly proud of the men from
Montana. II seems likely that this regi-
ment wiz hold is place with the best
Of the volunteer forces and will be
picked among the FIRST for important
duties.
The regiment was outntted with guns.
belts. bayonets and haversacks to-day
and the boys will hereafter drill fully
armed The guns furnished are the old
Springfield rife Of the model of '73. and
while they are somewhat a~ntiquated.
they are good in their class. The uni
forms ave not yet been provided. but
are expected to arrive soon. Many OF
the boyB are in need of new clothes, the
ines they left home In having become
badly tattered. The uniforms to be pro-
vided are made Of brown duck canvas
and are durable m comfortable. They
aso simply brown overalls n are very
cheap. The old style regulation blu
uniforms will not be worn on the trip
to he far-off Philippines. Just when
Montana regiment will leave for the
islands In the Southern seas is still q
matter Of speculation. Nothing has &C.
CURED during the pass 10 days TO
strengthen the belief hat Montana will
b sent forward for at least two weeks
w. - INV = VIC val lok
30 on the next expedition to Manila
the troops to comprise that party have
already been named and Montana Is not
on b list There is a story out around
the camp tonight 20 he effect that the
Montana regiment and the 12th United
States infantry will shortly be sent TO
Honolulu 10 do duty in Queen LIS for
mer dominione- II il impossible TO veri-
~ b report: nothing has been heard
70 s~ubstantiate II at Colonel Kesslers
quarter. To be stationed at Hawaii
would not be regarded with disfavor by
theA oDtana men. for that Is a beautiful
country n has q delightfully."- healthy
7 climate. OF course the boys would
much prefer to be sent on TO Manila
Ind be given q show At the Dons.
The troops are anxiously awaiting the
paymaster. They have never received a
cent since they left their homes in April
Payday was to have come the last day
- No. Arse 10 a. ara hnra uAf aaA $50