New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-27
THE AsTOR BATTERY ACCEPTED.
RECRUITING TO BEGIN TO-DAY-TT WILL IN
UNIQUE IN THE UNITED STATES
SERVICE

r.
The Government has accepted the offer OF Lieu
tenant Colonel John Jacob Aston 10 recruit ana
equip light battery. Colonel Aston is now in the
South with troops. he received a Government
appointment. The OF the Governments
ceptance came in a dispatch received about 10
O'Clock yesterday morning by Henry B. Ely. who
looks after Colonel Astor's real interests.
The dispatch from Lieutenant Payton c.
March. OF the 5th United States Artillery. and read:
Organization been allowed for l02 men. Lieu
tenant March has been detailed by the Washington
authorities to command the battery. and he Will b
here to-day TO superintend the enlistment OF
cruits"
Mr. Ely said In speaking OF the matter
Colonel Astors original offer to Secretary Alger
to uniform and equip a battery for use In the
present war with Spain. and, while the formal ac-
ceptance OF the same only received to-day. yet
have already made active preparation. in tho
way OF purchasing guns and other equipments and
now ready 10 put the battery n the Held for
drill just as soon as the men can De enlisted. 1t
unique In ,hat II will be the nrst time that u bat
terry Of the kind has been taken into the service Of
battery. common in the United States. but. at
order OF what Is called in England mountain
battery. the distinction lying IN mat II can be used
and South Africa where 4 field battery would be Of
little service. The gun carriages ard guns are de-
for transportation from place to place The sus,
sest0nI OF eG9MpPng this KIND OF battery leads Z.
ordered as quickly as possible 10 cuba or the Phil
ippine Islands.
The battery will be made up Of six l2-pound
Hotchkiss rapid,iEe guns and the meA VIII carry
the customary sidearms. A recruiting station win
be opened at 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning at Nos
Is and 20 West Thirty -fourth-st.. and Lieutenant
The recruits will be examined by a surgeon on the
United States Army standard, and as fast ac-
oepted the will be enlisted
I'VE want a class of men who only sound
physically. but who have more than the average
intelligence. and need particularly two artl-
ficers OF some experience. wagner. veterinary
and buglers. Applications have already been
received from Columbia and Harvard men and also
from a number OF Eth Regiment men. and, judging
from the number already received will be able
TO muster in the battery within twenty-fOur hours
1t will go into camp at once. either at the state
Camp or at a camp of its own. 1t is impossible to
say how long IL will take 10 get IL ready FOR active
service. Much depends the ability OF the
cruiis and the experience they have had The
perience Of Lieutenant March. however. will aid
greatly In getting them ready quickly. Ii will
doubtedy be offcered from the Regular Army
IL is understood that the cost OF equippng tho
battery will be about $4,000. Word was sent TO St.
Louis yesterday 10 ship hundred mules at once.
and they expected here within few days IL
takes four mules a gun. The carriage is strapped
on one. the gun another and the ammunition
and equipment the others. In OF any
mules being killed a single animal can drag the
gun up a mountain or through denle. the gun
Is very light 1t is believed that CROUCH men VIII
b enlisted before noon to-day 70 mar tie battexJl