Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-24
ALGER AT MONTAUK
The Secretary Of War Will See
Things as They Are.
DAMAGE WROUGHT BY A STORM
Volunteers Glad to Learn of Mus.
tering-Out Orders.
THE WAITING TRANSPORTS

NEW YORK, August 24.-Secretary OF
War Alger, who arrived in town last night
from Washington. left the Fifth Avenue
Hotel at TAO o'clock this mo. ring on his
way to Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point.
He was driven to the 34th street ferry,
in company with Colonel Hecker, who Is
connected with the quarterr,aster de-
partment and is looking after the trans
portation of troops. Major Hopkins. as
sistant adjutant general, is also Of the Sec
retary's party.
The transport Rio Grande, which left
Camp Wikoff, Montauk, yesterday with 3ln
sick soldiers, arrived this morning. ihe
soldiers were transferred to various hospi-
tails in this city.
The United States torpedo boat Gushing
and the transport Mobile arrived here to-
day.
The YaIe's Troops.
The report of the condition oe the men on
the Yale, which arrived off Camp WikoT,
Montauk Point, L. l., last night, has not
yet been made by the quarantine officers.
In the electrical storm witch continued
for four hours last night the wind blew
down many of the soldiers tents. twisted
the wires about the camp, blew down the
Red Cross hospital tent in TIE general hos
pitai and caused havoc generally. Two
tents were picked up from the ground and
carried into the ocean.
The wrecking OF five unoccupied tents in
the detention hospital will prevent the
landing of some sick soldiers on the trans
ports
This forenoon soldiers are busy fixing up
tents which were blown down and putting
the camp into fine shape again.
The large Y. NJ c. A tent. in which the
soldiers spent much of their time writing
to their relatives or reading, was also level
ed by the gale.
The news that an order is soon to be is
sued at Washington to muster out the vol
unteers in camp, including the Rough Rid
ers and the list Regiment, has been re-
ceived with much satisfaction by the vol
unteer troops.
The transport Arcadia, which arrived last
night, was inspected today. Captain Cap
ron, father of Captain Capron of the Rough
Riders, who was killed at Santiago, is on
board sick.
Weary Waiting.
Correspondence Of the Associated Press.
With the Transports on Camp Wil,of,
Montauk Point, L. L. August 22.-It is
weary waiting for the American troops on
the transports anchored off Camp Wikon.
There is absolutely nothing to co on board,
and the men lounge about the decks, seek
ing what scant shade can be found in the
lee of deck houses or under awnings, and
longing for the orders that will free them
from -irksome confinement.
Again and again the men discuss the
happenings of the days before Santiago.
Plans are made for trips home whenever
freedom finally comes; pay day is spoken
of-as many of the men are without money
and the everlasting subject of something
good to eat in the future fills all minds.
Fortunately, the weather is cool. There
is good breeze every day: and in the
fG ra
brought out and the warm corners behind
the steamers smokestacks are the spots
most sought after. The men are poorly
provided with clothing, and the prolonged
stay on the vessels has used up the supply
of clean linen that the officers had care
fully boarded.
The transport Mobile has gone to New
York to report to the quarantine authorf-
ties and will probably be released from the
government service. Many soldiers have
been discharged from the hospitals, but
tt ere are other sick to take their places ss
soon they vacate.
Three hundred men of the 18th Regular
Infantry have disembarked from the
Breakwater and gone into the detention
camp
Reaches the Camp.
Secretary Alger arrived at the camp to-
day on a special train. To the newspaper
correspondents Secretary Alger stated that
he hoped to make as thorough inspection as
pCSS1Dle OF the camp In the length OF time
he had at his disposal. He rode with the
army officers who met him at the depot 10
headquarters, and as soon as he was recog-
nized by the volunteers and regulars the
Secretary was loudly cheered.
Secretary Alger was especially interested
in the condition of the sick men and how
they were being cared for. He intimated
that President Mckinley was much con-
ce1ned in the matter Of properly caring for
the sick soldiers.
The Secretary will make complete tour
Of the big camp before he returns to New
York. He will also be fully informed when
he leaves as to how the volunteers feel
about their being mustered out. For this
reason he will Cpend considerable time in
the camp Of the Rough Riders and the list
New York.
1t is said that Secretary Alger informed
Gen. Wheeler that he would stay in camp
two or three days II necessary to make
thorough inspection of everything and de-
wise some means for the relief and comfort
OF the soldiers, especially those in the hos
pital.;
The Secretary's Purpose.
Secretary Alger has gone to Montauk
Point, L. l., ostensibly to inspect Camp
Wikon, but probably to confer with Cen
eral Wheeler. the officer in command, and
others with regard to President McKinley's
proposed visit to the camp for the purpose
of personally thanking the officers and men
of the 9th Army Corps GShafter's) for their
gallant services in Cuba. General Shaftsr
is expected TO arrive at Montauk Point with