The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-15
Fine LOT OF ATHLETES
ASTOR MOUNTAIN BATTERY ON IT'S
WAY TO THE PHILIPPINES.
One of the Unique Organizations of
the War-Equipped by
Young Millionaire.

The Astor Battery passed through this
city last night en- route from New York to
the Philippines. 1t is composed Of ninety
eight enlisted men and three commissioned
officers. 1t is the battery organized and
equipped at the expense of John Jacob
Aston. who has made the government a
present of the organization as it now stands
ready for the field. The company is travel
ing by special train made up of four bag
gage cars three sleepers and one day coach
1t carries with it all the arms and ac-
coutrements necessary for theG expedition.
1t had six Hotchkss ra pid-fire guns, which
throw twelve-pound projectiles. The guns
are for what is termed "a mountain battery
and easily portable. Each gun can be car
ried on the back of a mule and the pieces
Tor mounting them are so arranged in parts
that they can be carried by mules The
members of the company have two uni
forms. One which they are now wearing
they call the knock-about uniform 1t con-
sists of blue blouse and linen trousers, dark
blue flannel shirt, heavy shoes, brown can
vas leggings, army belt and soft brown or
tan-colored SLOUGH hats. They also have
trousers of the blue cloth to match bouses
The other uniform is for tropical service
and consists of suits of the lightest canvas
with two-ounce helmets.
Last night when the train pulled into the
Union Station at 1904 o'clock the train
sheds were Immediately overrun with the
big athletic-lookng young men of the bat
terry. They had an hour to spend in Indian
apols and were eager to make the most of
it. In two minutes after the train stopped
they were scattered all over the central
portion of the city and attracted consider
able attention wherever they went, for they
were generally known as the Aston Battery.
The few people who met the members of
the battery were agreeably disappointed in
them. Instead of meeting crowd of dudes
they found a company of young athletes
who were in fact what they looked to be.
With their uniforms on they were all alike,
excepting the commissioned officers, who are
West Point men and have the regular army
idea of difference. They are Captain Pay
liams and Second Lieut. William G. Koch
Ter. Captain March has had some active
experience, having been assigned for several
years with the Fifth United States Artil-
lery. The other two commissioned officers
are late graduates from West Point.
The company is made up of men of all
classes of society, but most of them are
more or less well known about New York
and elsewhere as athletes. Among them is
William E. Hills. He is a young attorney
and particular friend of Edward S. r.
Seguin, of this city. Another is Captain
Seymour, of the Princeton baseball team.
Thomas Hayden is a professional swimmer
and has been connected with life-saving
stations for number Of years. He has
record of forty-two lives to his credit Ar
thur A. Piens is professional acrobat.
Captain Block. of the Brooklyn Athletic
Baseball Club, is also in the company.
The first sergeant of the company is Mar
Gus Holmes, an Englishman, who has seen
Indian service and who has also served I'M
der the stars and stripes. The other SER
geants are William Cremens, Lester Young
and James Beacham. Cremens was in the
regular service twenty years Young is
grandson of Brigham Young. Beacham was
formerly captain of the Cornell football
team and later of the baseball team. He
is an al-round athlete and has the respect
as such of all the others.
The Aston Battery left at 11:10 last night
for the West 1t will spend four or five days
in camp al San Francisco and will sail for
the Philippines with the third expedition
under the personal command of General
Merritt, which will probably depart June %.