The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-17
st. Francis Barracks.
st. Augustine. Fla. Aug. 16.

fortunate indeed is company G and
OF the Second North Carolina regiment
now i'll st. Francis barracks at st. Au-
gustine. They have, more comfortable
quarters than any other troops in the
United States and are on garrison duty
at the most delightful old town in Am
erica.
Also they enjoy the distinction of be-
ing the first volunteer troops to garrison
this post. Fort Marion was built by the
Spaniards more than three hundred
years ago and has been occupied by
troops. either Spanish or American, ever
since; but never. until the Tar Heels
were sent here n month ago, have any
but regulars been assigned to duty in it.
How do they like it? They like it so
well they live in daily dread of being
ordered away. They fear it's too good
to last
What shall / tell the people at home
for you and your men, | asked Major
John w. Gotten, the commanding Off
Ger.
"Oh. tell them we are proud of the
compliment paid us in sending us here:
that we are doing our derndest to hold
down the job, though it's mighty hard
work" replied that popular old sol
der and ideal officer.
us that all?"
mo. just tell them we are in toler'hle
middln' good heaith-and that's all.
Don't say anything about how well
we're fixed here and what an easy time
were having. If you do some son of
IA gun will be trying to get us out of
the job before shutdown. Oh, / know
EN-"
Now | would really like to tell the peo-
pie of North Carolina how well "the
hoys" here are living. but of course |
can't run counter to the wishes of my
good friend Maj. Gotten. / wish | could
speak of the long rows of coquina
stone buildings in which they eat and
sleep, having all the comforts and con
veniences of home. ! would like to tell
how well arranged and furnished these
quarters are. but to do SO might jeopar-
die the Tar Heel occupancy of the place.
If at liberty to do so | would say that
both men and officers not only have the
greatest plenty and variety Of good,
wholesome food. but it is as well pre-
pared and served as in hotel. Each
enlisted man has his own apartment
furnished with iron bedstead spring
mattress and mosquito bar. chair table.
IitH iItTt are IIbTttldIH-lllltu bdiIl
tubs with hot and cold water, and
spray baths of salt and fresh water
to say nothing of a we'll arranged bath
house on the beach. Water for the bar
racks is supplied from an 1900 foot arti-
sian WELL The water contains Il strong
solution of white sulphur. and is very
healthy. Large. well kept lawns and
parade grounds spread around the build
a. Il l,,I1
paved streets leading through.
But of all these things | was to say
nothing. not even that each officer has
Il furnished residence assigned him. if
accompanied by his family. If unmar
ried. he has suite Of four rooms in the
regular barracks. At present all the of
ficers live in the barracks. Maj. Gotten,
however, has sent home for his family
and is expecting them down within the
next few days. They will occupy the
first and largest of the officers resi-
dences. All the rest of the officers are
single-a fact that might partially ac
count for the social attentions with
which they have been overwhelmed by
the people of St. Augustine. were it
not for the further fact that Maj. Cot
ten. the only married one, has been the
most honored Of them all. He has been
wined and dined by the mayor, by bank
ers and prominent citizens; and by all
the pretty girls. too, if Lieut.. Davis isl
to be believed.
But none of them have any right toI
complain Men and officers have be-
hayed themselves in most exemplary
manner and the people Of st. Augustine
are that fond of them they cannot do
too much for their pleasure and com
fort. At no place, except jacksonville,
have / ever known troops to be the re-
cipients of so many kind attentions.
The total strength Of the company is
Dos men, under command of Maj. Cot
ten. The officers Of the battalion are
Company G, Henoir): Capt Edmund
Jones. First Lieutenant T. Il. Davis and
Second Lieutenant A. G. Avery Jr.,
Company | (Tarborol: Capt c. w. JEFF.
freys, First Lieutenant J. +. Jenkins and
Second Lieutenant John Howard Lieut.
enant Howard is not with his company.
being on duty nj st. Simon's Island rs
regimental ordnance officer. About for
" Of Capt Jcffrey's men are daily detail
cd TO man the battery on St AnaStasia
island two miles from the barracks,
while the same number of Capt. Jones
n mile north OF the barracks. The
others are engaged about the barracks.
when not on duty the men. nnlikc the
soldiers in camp ut Jacksonville. are al
lowed TO 90 and come as they desire.
Tie only restriction on them is to be-
have themselves and be on hand when
the hour for duty arrives.
There is no provost guard, as III Jack
sonvilc and indeed there is no necessity
for one. The men are put on their non
or and rarely have they violated It,.
Those who do SO are visited with certain
and severe punishment. A resident of
ST Augustine told me that never in ms
recollection had there been a better
behaved lot Of soldiers stationed among
them.
Confined in Fort Marion and guarded
by Capt Jones men are thirteen general
prisoners. sent here from the various
camps and garrisons in the United
States having been convicted of viola