The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-18
spee,,l from a Staff Correspondent.

Special from a Staff Correspondent.
Camp Alger, Va, July 17.-There has
been a great deal of Porto RICO talk
during the last few days, but no one IS
getting very much excited about 1t.
When the rumor was run down 1t de-
veloped that certain high officer had
said that If any troops from Camp AL
ger were selected to make up the Porto
Rican expedition the Pennsylvania bri-
gade might be among them. "A cook,
or water carrier, or some other listener
hasteDed forth with the story and set
1t going the rounds. 1t grew as It pro-
ceeded and after an hour had gained
the proportions of a wcll-directed and
authentic statement that the Third bri-
gade was going to Porto Rico next
week
General Goblin thought the story was
nothing better thar a surmse and
poor one at that. Three Pennsylvania
regiments are now on waiting orders
in Florida and they will most likely he
given the preference, as they are bet
ter prepared to contend with a hot
climate than troops encamped in the
north. If those three regiments go.
General Goblin argues, there is little
likelihood OF any other Pennsylvania
troops being called, as the authorities
will conclude that in this Pennsylva-
MIA has been given her share. General
Butler was seen later and was of the
same opinion as General Goblin as to
the weight of the story. General
Goblin and his brigade will go to Dunn
Loring," said General Butler. "If they
are to 60 any farther than that know
nothing. of it,"
BECAME DISGUSTED.
General Goblin became somewhat dis
gusted over the refusal Of the Porto
RiCan story to down and on Saturday
morning went into Washington to see
if he could not get some news. Sec
retary Alger Informed him that there
was positively nothing he could tell
him regarding the possible disposition
of the Third brigade. He would not
even say that a Porto Rican expedition
was under way, although General
Brooke, who il is reported will con-
duct it, was sitting by during the in
terview. General Goblin told the Sec
retary that if there was need of the
Pennsylvania brigade he could have it
at an hours notice.
this: A Porto Rican army is in course
of Organization. If more troops are
needed than can be supplied from
Chickamaugua and Tampa a draft will
be made on Camp Alger. If Camp AL
ger is called upon to contribute. the
THIRD brigade stands an equal chance
with half a dozen other brigades Of
receiving the call. There is all there
&c q af 1I-riti nd
Alger can be relied upon, no one, not
even President Mckinley, knows any
thing more definite.
General Goblin himself is strongly os
the opinion that his brigade will be
included in the Porto Ricar army, if
one is formed. General Brooke is a
Pennsylvania and a close personal
friend of General Goblin. He made ap-
plication formally and added a per-
sonal request that General Goblin
should be assigned to his corps. when
the first announcement was made of
General Gobin's appointment as a
brigadier. This fact would make it
safe to assume that IL General Brooke
has anv say in the selection of the
troops that will compose his army,
General Gobins brigade will be q part
of it,
MERRIMAN'S HARD LUCK.
1t may be some days before Assistant
Surgeon George c. Merriman will he
privileged to enter upon the duties Of
his new office. OF late he has been
acting as division hospital steward and
has. had charge of the company of one
hundred and six orderlies. Thursday
night about 20 o'clock he ordered his
first sergeant to make a check roll call
to ascertain if all the men were in their
quarters. One OF the men, thinking
to add little more excitement to the
affair fired three shots from his pistol.
Major General Butler heard them and
sent two aides out to investigate and
if possible apprehend the offender.
They could only find that the shoot
ing took place in the division hospital
lines and that Lieutenant Merriman-'
or Sergeant Merriman as he then was
lad charge of the camp at the tin :.
The next morning Generbl Butler sent
for Doctor Merriman and demanded
that he give the name of the man who
fired the shots. DR.. Merriman said he
could not as he did not know. General
Butler very abruptly said You will
consider yourself under arrest and in
close confinement. Until further orders
you will not leave your tent"
When 1t was seen what a serious
phase the case was assuming, the man
who fired the shots very honorahly
waited upon DR.. Merriman and admit
ted his guilt, adding, also, that he in
tended to wait upon General Butler and
confess. When this is done 1t is quite
likely Doctor Merriman will be released
with the generals regrets that the
occasion demanded such summary pro-
ccedings" and the like. 1t was while
under arrest that the new assistant
surgeon received word Of the receipt OF
his commission as lieutenant, from
Harrisburg.
Major Simon B. Cameron who has
been spending few days as the guest
of General Goblin, will go to Scranton
tomorrow, to muster in three NOR,
companies into the national guard Ht
also expects 10 place a company ir
Carbondale. T. j, Duffy.