Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-16
AT CAMP COLUMBIA.
NOTHING NOW REMAINS BUT To
MOVE.
WILL The CORPS BE- DIVIDED?
Correspondence OF the Dispatch)

Correspondence Of the Dispatch)
CAMP COLUMBIA, HABANA, CUBA,
February l0.-The camp Of the Fourth
Virginia has been put in good order, and
will soon be complete as far as camp
can be. A guard-house has been built.
and also a canteen, and water has been
supplied. Nothing now remains but to
finish putting up the kitchens; then We
will be all ready TO move. OF course, It
takes a good deal Of time to get well
settled i'm a camp. and those who read
the signs Of the times generally take tho
attainment OF these as an indication OF
a speedy departure being at hand, which
was the case at Jacksonville and Sayan-
nah II is q matter Of surmise whether
this will be a bomeward movement or to
some other point in this summer land
1t is not customary for one camp to be
occupied more than sixty or ninety days
at q time. The ground on which we are
now encamped will hardly support us
after the rainy season sets I'm, and Colo
mel Taylor bespeaks his intention OF Sc
curing n change Of location at least by
that time.
1t is the opinion of a great many Of the
officers that the troops Of the Seventh
Army Corps will be- divided up and sta
toned at different points on the island.
1 one company is TO De sent 20 garrison the
/ Isle Of Pines. 1t IS not known as yet
which company that will be. IT the
! troops Of the Seventh Army Corps are TO
remain in cuba that would be preferable
as 10 would not only give the men en-
ployment, but enable them to enjoy the
beauties and resources Of the Pearl or
the Antilles" As IL stands now, the DILL
GERS and men are weary Of the monotony
of settled camp lie, and acknowledge
that if they are TO stay in the service
at all they would prefer going to the
Philippines. or anywhere else. 10 stay
ing I'm one place and going through drills
and other routine just as was done at
the beginning Of their term Of service
That which rules uppermOst I'm the
minds Of all is when the volunteer troops
are to be recalled. OF course, q soldier
! is expected to know nothing and TO do
nothing but simply wait and obey orders
However. there is no regulation In the
/ Blue Book against talking. and the main
/ topic Of conversation among all the vol
untaers is "goin' home" All that is ne
cessary TO arouse q wave of enthusiasm
/ is TO start these two magic words. and
soon the whole regiment is shouting.
/ This is taken up by the other regiments
over the hills. and the roar can be heard
for miles.
SET THEM TO THINKING.
While fl is evident that no one knows
ANYTHING about it.. the least thing that in
| any way concerns the matter Of muster
| ing out gains ready audience. Major G.
! II. Vance and Lieutenant &. l. Wright
| received letters from their homes, IN
/ Norfolk. n day or two ago which have
set the Virginians 10 thinking. About
eight of the ladies' Of Norfolk. wives Of
some Of the officers Of the Fourth Vir-
ginia, desiring to visit their husbands az
Camp Columbia. sought information from
men influential IN political circles in
WASHINGTON as TO how long the Fourth
/ Virginia Regiment was likely TO stay In
service. Major Vance and Lieutenant
Wright received letters stating that there
was no idea entertained of mastering out
this regiment any time soon and that 1t
was expected that the Fourth Virginia
would serve its full time of two years
enlistment.
Now the ladies write that they are get
ting up an excursion 10 Cuba for the
benefit Of those desiring 10 visit friends
and relatives in the army. as well as
| those who want 10 see Cuba during the
/ healthy season.
However. the men console themselves
| by remembering that all signs fail in dry
weather.
The Spanish barracks in Habana have
/ been thoroughly cleaned and renovated.
/ and will be occupied by the regulars sta
| toned I'm the city I'm two or three days.
The pay Of army teamsters has been
raised from $50 per month and rations TO
so per month and rations.
The Tenth Infantry. who are in charge
Of the distribution Of rations in Habana,
have had 10 wait on some swell beggars.
4 great many Of the women have been
observed 10 bundle up tho rations issued
them. summon carriages, and ride home
In style. Most Of these however, have
been Spotted" and when they call for
rations again they will wish that they
had known Pats rhyme.
TO PAY OFF.
Paymaster Major S. II. Tyler and his
clerk Senator Hale, start tomorrow on
q three-weeKs tour across the island 20
paw off the Eighth Massachusetts. 10th
Indiana. Twelfth New York, and Third
Lyantuolgv az MafanZas and n battalion of