The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-03

Lieu;cnant-C Colonel c. l.. Smith. OF the
First West Virginia regiment, writes as
follows 10 his paper. the Fairmont In
dex:
CAMP. CONRAD. COLUMBUS. Ca.
Jan. 2S.-Wc had our first snow last
night. 1t was just like the ordinary
West Virginia snow. but 1t threw new
life into every youngster male and fe-
male. black and white Up to 4 day or
SO ago the weather had been lovely,
and the first wild flowers could be seen
growing on every side. Then the
weather began to change. 1t grew
colder. and the clouds indicated falling
weather. We all expected rain. for
they told us they had scarcely seen
snow tcrc since the winter OF 1851. Early
Friday night ii began to hail, which
soon turned into snow. and at Taps
when the boys retired 10 their tents. the
Snow was coming down In the most
home like fashion. This morning we
found about one inch and n half OF the
beautiful on the ground, covering land
scape and forest completely. The West
Virginians became homcsick. and look
ed upon 1t as only forcrunner OF mud
ana SluSh. but the citizens were delight
cd. and they turned out and engaged
in general SNOWFALL. Every one
seemed to have the right to pclt every
passerby with the snow. They still use
a summer car from camp to the city.
and 1t was worth your life almost 10 go
down early In the day. II was certain
~ gala day for the youngsters OF this
section. But this joy was OF very
short duration, for the southern sun
caused 1t to disappear before twelve
o'clock. This much SHOW was certain
Il.
ing from what the people say and the
way they acted.
The work OF mastering out contin-
ueS. a vast amount has been accom-
plishcd since | last wrote you. Captain
Frederick, the mastering officer for this
state. has sent Lieutenant Douglass
Settle. and Lieutenant J. McE. Carter.
Fifth cavalry. here to assist In the
preparation of the final papers. and TO
muster out the regiment. II will be
remembered that this regiment was
mustered in 1T Charleston last spring,
and Lieutenant Settle was the muster.
Ing officer. We doubt II Il like instance
OF the same officer mastering In and
mastering ont the same regiment oc-
ours again in the history of the volun-
teer service. From the way the work
has progressed we do not think that
there Is much doubt but that the regi-
mcnt will be finally paid OFF and mus
tered out on Saturday. February 4.
The paymastors are expected here to-
night and the mustcr-Out rolls will be
given them as fast as they can examine
Them. Some little Of the government
property has already been taken up
but the bulk OF 1t M yet remains In the
hands OF the men. Ratlons have been
issued to include January II. and com
mencing with February the men will
be fed By contract. The contract has
been let for about 70 cents per meal
for each man.
Each enlisted man will be paid an ex-
ira months pay. and he vii! receive Il
travelling allowance of about so cents Il
day. and twen,ymile travel Is ,consid-
cred day. II Is estimated that the
distance TO FaIrmont from here. going
by the most direct route. Is about 500
miles. making a. days which a Fair
mont boy will be allowed. This with
pay for few days over two months
Will give each man quite Il nice little
sum. Out OF this each man must pay
his own transportation home. The rail-
roads are offering quite liberal rates
The rate to Falrmont Ia n little over
thirteen dollars with COrrespOndingly
low rates to other points In the state.
There has been quite a scramble among
railroads. TO get the business. The Cen
trail. of Georgia. through It's passenger
agent. Mr. Camp. of this city, Will get
the most Of II. For some misconduct
On the part Of the agents OF the South
Crn. at Knoxville. that road will not re-
Cc!vc per cent Of the business II
would otherwise have carried. With
out any concert OF action the men seem
cd to have determined to give that road
the go by on their return home.
a great majority Of the men viii leave
for home aE soon after being mustered
out ms possible. Several companies
have engaged special cars. As each
man goes on hia own responsibility.
they VIII 30 by almost every route. and
he returning to West Virginia at odd
times during the week following a
few officers may he detained day or
two. but 1t VIII not he long before they
are all back ut home.