The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-31
ARE GLAD TO GET HOME
MEMBERS OF THE FIFTEENTH
MINNESOTA BACK IN THEIR
NATIVE STATE


NATIVE STATR
HOPED FOR ACTIVE SERVICE
hut When They Found That That
Was Hardly Probable, They De-
sired to Bo Mustered Out-Boys
All smarting Under Gen. Youns's
Cr1tictsm-A Reception for the
Twin City Men in Minneapolis.
The Fifteenth regiment returned yes
terday over different roads from Au-
susta. Ga. where they were mustered
out. The first lot arrived on the North
western from Chicago about o'clock a.
m. There were about $50 soldiers look
Ing bronzed and healthy and fat. Az the
regiment was no longer in the service
no order was maintained in their return
and no such thing as even company or
ganization was observable.
After the muster out papers were sign
ed and the men paid off, each one bade
adieu to the Southern camp in his own
particular way and started for home
Willmar. Litchf1eld. Grand Forks and 9TH
er Northwestern towns were represented
in the first load, but few remained in
st. Paul longer than to catch the first
train out for their respective homes.
The Milwaukee brought in four extra
carloads. the Burlington and Great West
ern morning trains each had two extra
cars. and shortly after IL o'clock the Bur-
lngton brought in most of Company B.
Capt. Finehouts command.
> The regiment left Augusta Monday aft
ernoon in three sections, one by the way
OF Evansville. one to Nashville and the
other via Louisville. Some stopped to
see the Mammoth cave in Kentucky
north and still others will not return at
all. but will remain in Georgia those that
are still to come will be struggling in for
the next ten days to come
The men were attired in their uniforms
service hats, leggings and overcoats. 1t
was noticeable that very few officers
came. most of them having stopped off
at Chicago and other Eastern points.
The Fifteenth regiment was In the SER
vice about nine months. the first two Of
which were spent at Camp Ramsey.
where the regiment suffered considerably
from bad sanitation. From there they
went to Fort Smelling and after a short
stay there were ordered to Camp Meade,
Pa. There they remained three months
and the balance of the time was put IN
at Augusta, which was the nearest ap-
proach they experienced to Cuban or Por-
to Rican life or atmosphere. and even at
Augusta the winter was raw and cold.
At one time the thermometer got as low
as below zero. The boys had all ex-
pected to see some active service and
seemed disappointed because they had
been condemned to the DUH routine of
camp life, after which they were slad
to return to Minnesota.
The subject Of the mutiny was ten
der spot with nearly every one, but only
seemed to be regretted because It pre-
vented the regiment from being sent
either to Cuba or Porto Rico. For the
most part the boys felt that those who
had participated in the mutiny had great
provocation and there was only SYM
pathy expressed for those who are pris-
oners for the part they played in the
able money was raised for the prisoners,
sufficient, at least, to keep them in to-
bacco during their confinement. 1t was
the general opinion that all those con-
demned to Imprisonment would be par
doned in q few months.
It had been the wish of both officers
and men to return to Minnesota in a
ance as possible, but Gen. Young's talk
to them had left the impression that they
would not be welcomed. and the idea
was abandoned. They feel very indignant
and believe that the gravest injustice
was done them.
Before the final act of mastering out
was consummated an opportunity was
offered the men to go into the service as
regulars. A very few took advantage Of
the offer the most of them having seen
enough of army life, at least for the
present
A reception will be given the regiment
next Monday evening at the Commercial
club in Minneapolis and an effort will
be made to eradicate the stings left In
their hearts by the uncalled for criticisms
Of Gen. Young. The plans for the re-
ception are not complete. as it has been
impossible to do anything on account Of
the lack of information as to when the
bows would all return. A committee on
arrangements has been appointed con-
sisting Of Messrs. E. J. Phelps, Walter
Gregory and S. T. Johnson, who will ar
range for speeches, music and refresh
ments. Gov. Lind has been invited and
will probably accept An invitation is
also extended to the returned members
Of the Twelfth Thirteenth and Four
teenth regiments. St. Paul soldiery and
citizens are also invited and the presence
of the fair sex of both cities is especial
ly desired.
Regarding the issue between Gen.
Young and the officers Of the Fifteenth,
Washington dispatch says:
There Is a good prospect that Gen.
Young may be called down by the war
department. Col. Leonhauser and Maj.
CatIin who are now in Washington, have
some serious charges to prefer against
Young One of them Is that before he
made his report roasting officers of the
Fifteenth Minnesota, he had information
from Washington that a court of in
uuiry was denied. 1t is claimed that
Gen. Young was a great social favorite
at Augusta, and that on one or two oc-
casions he was outshone by some of the
Minnesota officers. From that moment
1t is insisted, Young changed his attitude
toward the regiment and welcomed any
opportunity to discredit the men,
RECEPTION IN ST. PAUL.
A meeting of the Ladies' auxiliary was
held yesterday afternoon in the rooms of
the Y. M. C. A, for the purpose Of ar
ranging for a reception to the members
of the Fifteenth. regiment, who have
just been mustered out Of the service.
Secretary Grace of the association,
presided, and after a brief discussion 1t
was decided to tender the troops a recep-
ton and supper In the rooms of the Y
M. c. A. next Friday evening. Follow
ing the reception and feed an athletic
exhibition will be given in the gym
nasium. Mrs E. o. Zimmerman was
chosen chairman of the general commit
tee, with power to select her aids, and
take such action as may be necessary.