Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-02
TROOPS IN FLORIDA.
NEWS AND GOSSIP FROM SOLDIERS
IN CAMP CUBA LIBRE.
WILL THEY LEAVE The COUNTRY?
Men Anxious to Know IL They VIII
Accompany Fitx Lee when He De-
parts-The Sick Doing Weil-The
Fine Shell Road.
Fine Shell Road.

CAMP CUBA LIBRE, JACKSON
VILE, FLA. August So.-(Special.)-
There is still good deal Of discussion
regarding the probable mastering ont OF
one OF the Virginia regiments encamped
at Camp Cuba Libre. Much speculation
has been INDUCED in as TO which Of the
two regiments will receive precedence.
Colonel Taylor, in conversation with an
officer Of the Second Virginia Regiment,
is reported to have said that there Is no
doubt as to the acceptance of the Fourth
Virginia for service in Cuba. Colonel
Taylor concluded his remarks with the
statement that 1t was conceded fact
that his regiment would be selected.
On the contrary, many officers In the
Second Virginia think that their regiment
has the strongest claims upon the Cover
ner's approval. 1t is the ranking regiment
in the State service, by date Of Colonel
Bakers commission. II was the hrst regi-
ment 10 volunteer as such. and ranks first
in the United States service, being the iirst
regiment mustered in. 1t Is believed by
many officers in both organizations that
neither OF the regiments in this corps VIII
be mustered out.
/ TWO WILL BE MUSTERED OUT.
Many think that two Virginia regiments
will be disbanded The Sixth Virginia
| composed of the two negro battalons
from Petersburg and Richmond and the
Third Virginia. II is rumored, will be Sc
lected. while the Second and Fourth VIII
be retained in the service. / called upon
General Lee in reference 70 this matter
8 lie rnorfr,, RI r
ginia in his corps is 20 be mustered out.
he is in absolute ignorance Of any such
fact.
In my letter. printed in last Sun
days Dispatch / published a criticism OF
the coure Of a Mississippi non-commission-
ed officer Of the First Mississippi Regi-
ment. who had made certain charges In
"a Florida paper relating to the Second
Virginia Regiment. This "non-com' has,
through his commanding officer, Colonel
Montgomery, made an absolute retraction
and apology 10 Colonel Baker.
DOESN'T WISH A DISCHARGE.
There are a good many influential per-
sons. with political pulls, who are using
their influence in behalf of some men IN
the service. While their efforts are being !
appreciated by those TO whom their good |
offices are acceptable, there are others |
upon their rights. One Of the latter class /
is Sergeant Gilmer Weston of Company |
X. Second Virginia Regiment (Staunton).
His commandant Captain Ker, tells me
that a discharge was secured Tor ser
geant Weston. and that he not only dld
not apply for it, but fatty refuses 10
accept it, and has applied, through mill
tary channels, for its withdrawal. He
furthermore says If this cannot be ac-
complished. he will apply, being free
white and 2l," TO be remustered into the
service.
Yesterday | paid a visit TO Pablo Beach
TO inspect the convalescent camp at that
point. and to report the condition OF the
sick and especially those from virginia.
| find that there are in this hospital
423 convalescents. all of whom are i'm
proving. There has never been death
within it, and the rapid recovery OF the
bows is very encouraging 10 the author-
ties
Privates Bloxton and Harding. at this
hospital. from Company /, Second Nir-
ginia, are doing very nicely
WILL BE SENT HOME.
1t has been determined according to
reports. to send home on thirty-days
furlough. with all expenses paid. every
patient at Pablo Beach. THIS inteli-
gence has been received with great delight
by the troops some of whom expressed
to me their desire to go 20 cuba, but
wished before leaving to see once more
their homes in Virginia.
The shell road. which is such a delight
to the wheel-loving soldiers. has quite
an interesting history. 1t is made or
shells and cement laid upon hard sand {
oundation. and is one of the finest bicycle ,
"A /
distance of about twelve miles. making
a loop and returning TO the city from
whence it proceeds.
HOW 1T WAS BUILT
During the yelow-fever epidemic in 4,
all business was suspended
and a large amount of money appropri-
ited for the sufferers. II was found eXpe-
iient not to give this money out as
,harity. but TO hire all willing TO work
md to build road from the city through
he adjoining country. With this idea
n view. the shell road was devised and ,
quilt, and is quite an attraction for the :
,eople of Jacksonville. Many beautiful 7
Inas and clubs are located upon this
highway. and most of the regiments in
his corps have their camps situated upon j
t. or one Of its tributaries.
TOBACCO GIVEN AWAY o
The American Tobacco Company nave | \
lad all day large wagon in the Virginia v
egiments distributing tobacco and pipes a
o the boys. Each man is receiving a v
,ag Of tobacco, a fairly good pipe. and v
package of cigarette paper. The boys a
re grateful for this kindness. and return
heir thanks TO the enterprising corpora !,
ion. and also TO Messrs. Liggett-Meyers .
Company. the Drummond Company !,
lessrs. r. c. Williams. Company, and f
Y. j. Yarbrough, Of Richmond. Va. a
Corporal w IL. Underwater, of Com "
any NJ, Second Virginia Regiment will a
ave camp Thursday on thirty-days' a"
lex leave, which time ne wifi spend at
Is home in Richmond.
Sergeant j. IL. Evans, who has been
pending some time in Richmond. will b,
eturn Sunday. V
PERSONAL NOTES. m
Private j. j. Bunce. of Company b, IN
econd Virginia Richmond) returned yes A
.rday from "A twenty-days furlough 10 n
is home in Richmond. Va. OF
Corporals j. j. Fitzpatrick and John w. &c
.arke, and Private X. w. Lewis. are ar n(
,nging an excursion up the 81. Johns OF
hey expect TO navigate for about 100
lies. II
Private w. w Calvin, of Company c.,
.cond Virginia. left Sunday for his
)me in Warrenton. TO spend several -
,ys. m
Captain c. c. Vaughan. Jr., of Company co
Fourth Virginia, returned to-day from M
twenty days leave Of absence TO his no
me in Franklin. TT
Captain L. T. Marye has returned from 10
thirty-days visit 10 his home In New On