The Dickinson press., 1898-07-09
THE SOLDIER BOYS.
SoMethias About tie Ssisss Of the North
Dakota Boys to Msaala, aad THEIR
Shin valeacja.

Something About tho Ssieas Of Tie North
Dakota Boys to Msaals, ssd Their
Slip vsieacia.
The San Francisco Examiner of June
70 has the following notice Of the sailing
of the North Dakota volunteers:
The troopship Valencia sailed at 4:2o
o'clock yesterday afternoon for Manila
with two battalions of North Dakota
volunteers on board. The intention had
been for the steamship to haul out into
the stream and there await the sailing of
the Newport, but orders received a short
time before the hour set for leaving the
wharf changed the program and sent the
steamship toward the Golden Gate under
a fast bell.
The soldiers went aboard Monday af-
ternoon, and by the time the vessel sailed
had learned the way to their quarters.
Many of them were on board a ship for
the first time in their lives, and their
comments were listened to by the sailor
men with considerable amusement.
The troops embarked in a go.as-you-
please manner and when the spokesman
for n little squad suggested that they
"climb the ladder up the flagstaff" the
salt stationed at the gangway almost
chuckled himself off the wharf. Another
crowd decided to take up its station at
the "thick end" of the boat, and when
one of the boys in blue asked Purser Ma
I condray if the enlisted men were ex-
pected to conine themselves to the thin
end" of the ship, he greeted the men
from North Dakota with a smile which
they attributed to the boundless Califor-
MIA hospitality.
The Valencia carried about go SOL
diers and ofhcers,..all under the command
of Col. w. c. Truman. Just before the
vessel pulled away from the wharf Col.
Truman said that on behalf of his regi-
ment he wished to thank the people of
California for their hospitality. 81 could
express my appreciation in more elegant
terms" he added, "but l think will con-
vey my meaning when l say that we all
feel that the folks in this beautiful state
have treated US out of sight God bless
California; her people are all right"
The men who will take the Valencia to
Manila are all Americans, from the
skipper. to the cabin boy Capt. ]. M.
Lane is in command, Captain Weaver
is first officer, Captain Turner second
officer, and Third Mate Deliver holds
first mates papers. F. L. Machondray,
the purser who goes to Manila with the
Valencia, is one of the best-known steam
ship men on the coast.
The transport left the wharf amid a
shower of oranges and good wishes. AL
though the Dakota boys were a long way
from home San Francisco provided plen-
ty of women to weep we their going,
and except for the lack of whistles blow
ing, a circumstance due to the remote
situation of the boat and her unexpected
departure, the Valencia received just as
hearty a send-of as any boat that has
preceded her.
The Valencia may be away for a con-
siderable time, az it is expected that
General Merritt will use her, on account
of her convenient size, for inter-island
communication.
The Valencia is a good I2-knot stea-
mel and made splendid time on her way
out here from the East. She will go to
Honolulu at full speed, and as the other
four vessels of the feet will not average
better than 10 knots the Valencia will
not be far behind when the islands are
| reached.