Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-09-01
Notes About the Army.

I W. Va, says ii has been the impress
sion here that the First West Virginia
Regiment, volunteer infantry, was
unanimous in It's desire for further SER
vice, and with this idea before the
public, there has been a fear that the
Second West Virginia, which is anx-
ious for service, would not get much
chance. From certain information re-
ceived here, however, It appears that
the privates and non-commlssioned Of
hcers of the First Regiment are anx-
ious to be mustered out, or at least,
/ the majority of them are, if the source
Of this information is correct, and there
appears no reason to doubt that it is.
a private letter has been received
here from Camp Thomas, which throws
considerable light on the situation, and
reveals state of affairs not before
/ known to exist. For obvious reasons,
the name of the writer of this letter IS
not gwen, nor that of the recipient
Among other statements, the writer
has the following to say
"Sluce hostlhties have ceased, the
First West Virginia Regiment Is very
desirous of being mustered out of the
service. On yesterday the sentiment
of the regiment was shown when IN
each company a petition was signed
| bv the non-commlssioned officers and
prlyates resulting IN almost a unanI-
nous vote relative to being mustered
out. The officers, who are very anxious
to 90 and DO garrison duty, stopped
the further proceedings of sending the
petition, claiming that IT was mutiny
and sedltion. Lat once went and con-
suited Judge advocate, and he said
that there was nothing IN the petition
whatever pertaining to mutiny or sed'-
ton. For some little time the excite.
ment was intense with ill-ieellng to-
ward the officers. The majority OF tho
priyates made great sacrifice IN com
ing here, and feel that it is no more
than just that We be mustered out, 80
that we may return to our respective
occupations, etc.
General Wood has issued an order
at Santiago that the burning Of dead
Spanish soldiers and pauper Cubans
shall no longer be conducted publicly.
This order is result Of the horrible
spectacle witnessed at the cemetery
last Wednesday, when seventy bodies
were placed in the kiln for cremation.
The fire was started, but a rainstorm
came up suddenly and put it out be-
fore the work was half done, and tho
fostering and partially cooked mass Of
human flesh was left over night be-
cause no oil could be procured to re-
kindle the fire after the storm had
abated. The job was completed next
morning. General Wood dismissed
all Of the cemetery employees and en-
ployed new ones. increasing the pay
of the men in order 10 ensure efficient
service. The burning Of the bodies
will continue, as it is the best and
safest means, from sanitary point Of
view, Of disposing Of the bodies Of
Spanish soldiers, who are dying faster
than the cemetery workmen could
bury them.
The President has promoted both
Sampson and Schley to be rear.ad-
mirals, but the former was given eight
numbers and the latter only six. These
nominations will be sent TO the Senate
for confirmation, where, owing 10 the
fact that Schley out-ranked Sampson
when the Spanish war began, lively
discussion may ensue az 10 why Samp-
son was placed over Schley. HdyPeTs
Weekly recently published iron one
who writes from full knowledge Of the
facts, strong article in favor Of the
Sampson side Of the controversy az to
which Of these famous officers wss en-
titled TO the credit Of destroying
yeras feet.
Lieutenant William Tiffany, Of the
Rough Riders, popular society man
in New York's most exclusive circles,
died at the Parker House in Boston
last Thursday from the effects Of star
vation and exposure. He came up
from Santiago on the steamer Oliyette,
and instead Of being allowed to land
at Montauk, New York, he was taken
on to Boston. The continuance Of the
long journey aud the priyations he en-
dured were too much for him. His
mother, sister and fsncee were with
him when be died.
Il has been said that our war with
Spain has cost US only $l50,O00,0O0,