The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-12


de7t and Secretary Alger. 1t never was
expected that the war would be ended at
Santiago. but at Havana. Had the condi-
tons been reversed at Santiago and Amer
leans been fortified in that city, as the
Spaniards were. they could never have
been driven out. The invading force under
Shafter consisted of line four and one
half miles long and one man deep. without
reserve or support. and almost every COM
mand given on the field was ''by the right
flank. march"
The volunteers may have received some
hard treatment" said Colonel Fitch. but
there never was time when a we'll SOL
der did. not have enough TO eat. In fact
the soldiers cannot eat an entire army ra-
lion Except while on travelling Tations,
when some of the boys were careless and
threw out the windows enough for Two
meals while eating one, there never was
time when there was not plenty for all.
I'VE suffered some for water the first
week at Chickamauga- They would not
allow US 20 use the water from Crawflsh
springs. and we had TO haul our water
seven miles. Finally the orders came TO
boil the water used in camp. The soldiers
from Kansas however, did not always use
boiled water. and the ingenuity displayed
sometimes 20 evade the boiling part was
as great as is exercised IN Kansas TO evade
the prohbitory law.
Il want to say for the boys Of the Twen
ty-first that there was no duty too hard.
o. no work which they would not willingly
perform. and as is usually the case. they
got most of the work to do. The name Of
'Coxey's Army did not stick to them long.
Within four weeks from the time they
struck camp they were ready to take the
field. the equal Of any regiment in the
brigade. The neighboring regiments soon
learned 10 have a high regard for the boys
from Kansas, and every man in the regi-
rnent deserves credit for the way he has
represented our splendid state"
Colonel Fitch tod Of the compliments his
regiment received: how the Twenty-frst
was called upon TO act as escort for the
corrs commander, General Breckenridge.
and later as escort for Secretary Of War
Alger himself.
The most interesting part Of Colonel
Ff.ch's speech was where he gave an ac-
count Of the subsistence department OF
tIl6 army anu o4AntE CONSCIOUSLY VI AiANSi4-
sciously furnished a complete -efutation
Of the stories of Algerism. At least as far
as the Twenty-first Kansas is concerned.
He said:
ION the question Of subsistence and care
Of the army, want 70 say DO not believe
any army was ever mustered by any ma
ton in any war. that was better clothed,
better fed and better cared for. and raised
in so short a time
He described the army ration quite mi
nuteiy, and the old soldiers expressed their
surprise at its munificence by humphs and
grunts. which seemed to say they would
have been glad to have Jared half so well.
He told of the extraordinary precautions
taken to secure perfect sanitation and pre-
vent disease. and Of the hospital scenes,
which he pictured in a very graphic and
touching manner and closed by paying a
glowing tribute TO the boys of the Twenty
first Kansas.
After Colonel Fitchs' speech, Mrs. Camp
bell. department commander of the W. r.
c.. OF Hutchinson, spoke of the work. At
night ex-senator PETER spoke in very
entertaining way Of the memories that
must attach to soldier life and its reunions.
This afternoon the Sons Of Veterans will
have charge of the work. The schools VIII
be dismissed a t3 O'Clock and attend the
meetings.
PROGRAM FOR THURSDAY.
Caroline Harrison circle No. &C. Ladies OF
the G. A R., will have charge part of the
afternoon service at G. A. r. reunion on
/ Thursday. with the following program:
Flag Salute Eight Ladies
Address. ''Woman's Part in
War'-.......... ...-.-...--...M Mrs. Haugr
Address. .................Dr. F. B. Lawrence
Recitation, Relics and Recollec-
tons of the War Mrs. Tucker
Recitation, AT Lookout. ........E Eva Calet
| Recitation. ......... .-.......Adoiph Mendel
Recitation, American He
roes' ....-,-t... Edna shaw
Recitation. volunteers Wife"
.......-....... ......-..........Mrs Hough
Recitation, ION the Rappahsn-
nock" -.....-.. ...........Jessie Copeland
| Recitation alag accompani-
menO ..........M-s. Lawrence
| Recitation, ''Whisperin' BIZ. Edna Shaw
''The Veteran with tab
leaW. .......,.. ............ Mrs. Lawrence