The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-14
All Four Regiments and Both Batter
les Are to Proceed to Chick
amauga Park.
INDIANA HAS FIRST PLACE
COL. GUNDER NOW IN COMMAND OF
THE CAMP.
Governor Took Up the Matter of Au-
thOrity and Settled 1t
for Good.

The first telegram from Washington on
the subject of the movement of the troops
came to Colonel Studebaker late yesterday
afternoon, while those sent to the other
regimental officers were not received until
an hour later. AS Colonel Studebaker walked
down the camp street with the yellow docu-
ment in his hand every one instructive
ly felt that something important had trans
pired. The colonel, however, wrapped him.
self in an air OF mystery, and III spite
of the fact that the contents of the mes
sage became known in all its essential
points to nearly every one about the
camp before five minutes had elapsed
after it had been placed in his hands,
he stated that the matter was of grave Off
cial Importance, and that the press and
public had no right to know anything about
the matter until he saw fit to give out the
information. Governor Mount was con-
suited with better results. The Governor
stated that he had been notified by Adju-
tant General Corbin, L. S. A, that the
various regimental commanders had been
ordered to move to the front at once, the
order coming in the shape of a telegram
sent to each colonel individually. The Ian
guage of the order was as follows:
Washington, D. c., May Is.
NOloIlel commanding I'll lnQlana
United States Volunteers, Indianapolis,
Ind:
BY direction of the secretary of war you
will proceed at once to Chickamauga Ga
Upon receipt of this order you will at once
communicate with the chief quartermaster,
chicago, ILL.,, for the necessary transporta-
tion and the chief commissary. Chicago,
ILL.,, FOR ten days rations and coffee
money. You will report at once the day of
departure to the general comma ndins CamD
4. Thomas. CliCK9m9lIsra
knowledge receipt to Adjutant General Cor
bin, Washington, d. c.
Governor Mount stated that in view Of the
fact that the orders were of such a per-
emptory character and that the different
co nmanders had agreed to accept the
seniority of Colonel Gunder as emitting him
to the command of the troops in camp. he
would no longer delay the comforting of
their commissions. Colonel Gunder received
MS commission yesterday morning, he being
the only one of the colonies to be so hon
ored Early in the day he assumed COM
mand, in fact, as soon as General Mckee
had vacated the headquarters building. /.
required a lengthy conference, however, to
, pr1ng me dlfferent' colonies to the point of
recognizing his authority. When, however
the Governor became satisfied that his
wishes in the matter were to be respected
ne 9 issued the eotnn4issions to Colonies
n, distinct
understanding that the Officers were to rank
as follows: Colonels Gunder, Studebaker
Smith and Barnett. Governor Mount stated
that 1T had been his purpose to have senior
lty rule in the matter of rank and as he
was the man who made their commissions
possible, he thought he could see a way by
Whlch ne could make his ideas of justice re-
Spected: In speaking of the probable time
OF moving the troops the Governor stated
That he thought that it would be done to-
day. The matter of the route over which
said 10
no man but the federal quartermaster in
Chlcago, who Was telegraphed yesterday
thdI the troops We're ready to move as soon
as transportation could be sent here dill
gent inquiry among the federal officers hav-
ing the matter in charge ELECTED the infor-
ma ton that the men could not possibly he
made ready to move before Monday. as the
boys will be compelled to pack up all their
goods to carry along with them. and, in adj
the kilograms from Washington. it will be
necessary to take along with them two DAYS
travelling rations. The fact that Monday
morning is looked on as the time for bid
ding final adieus 10 the soldiers is ac-
counted for by orders issued to a local firm
or draymen to be ready to bring out eight
camp on the shortest notice. The order was
by a statement that there was
y no O. probability that they would be needed
before that time. Lieutenant Peterson, who
is the federal quartermaster in camp, stated
mat he had plenty of supplies from which
10 draw the rations necessary for the
1t is possible that Camp Mount NAV be
broken to-day, though it is not considered
pIoDable; The order for the troops to move
at once has come, however, and at once
Is taken to mean as soon as the properties
TO be taken can be brought together 1t
does not mean, however, that the troops
are 10 wait longer for equipment. The or
der states specifically that the troops will
be equipped at the place of rendezvous The
place or rendezvous has again been
changed. the plan now being for all the In
diana troops to assemble at Chickamauga
tark Governor Moune received the follow
ing message from Secretary Alger yester-
day at noon:
-Four regiments of infantry and two
light batteries Of artillery of your State,
having been mustered into service, will be
ordered to-day to proceed to Chickamauga
Ga. 1t is the desire that the State furnish
all possible supplies in the way of clothing
camp and garrison equipment. and all APP
purtenances for a soldier in the field, in
Guiding tents. which are much needed. On
arrival at Chickamauga, with those of
other States, will be fairly equipped and
moved to the 'front.' This was found to be
better than to attempt to fairly equip the
regiments at the State rendezvous. Ord
nance. quartermasters' and subsistence de-
partments are concentrating at Chatta-
nooga. Tenn, to meet the situation"
An hour later he received a message from
Adjutant General Corbn saying that the
order had been issued to the, colonies of the
four Indiana regiments of infantry and the
captains of the two batteries that they
move on TO Chickamauga at once.