The record-union., 1899-07-13
Reached San Francisco Yesterday
on the Newport and Ohio.
6lsen an Ovation as the Transports Sail
Through Golden Gate Into the Bay.
Not Yet Decided Whether the Re-
turning Soldiers Will ae Allow
ed to Land or Proceed 1mme-
diately North by Water to be
Mustered Out, the Matter Being
in the Hands Of the War De-
partment at Warrington.

in the Hands Of the War De-
partment at Washington.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1.-THE
United States transports Newport and
Ohio. bearing the Oregon Volunteer
Regiment from Manila, arrived here
early this evening. The vessels were
sighted some miles out at sea early in
the afternoon, and soon the shrieking
of steam whistles, the changing of bells
and the firing of cannon announced to
the people of San Francisco and v1cin-
ity that the first batch of returning
volunteers from Manila were nearing
the peaceful shores of California, and
within a few minutes after the an
nouncement was made the streets lead
ing toward the bay shores were
thronged with people vending their
way to the docks and to the nights
overlooking the bay, all intent on
catching glimpse of the transports as
they steamed up the harbor under the
escort Of a score of vessels which mad
been made ready for the arrival OF the
steamers.
Along the water front proper all was
excitement Whistles and bells kept up
a continual din. The roofs of the ware
houses were crowded with people, and
from scores of flag poles streamed into
the breeze the Stars and Stripes, for
which the boys have been fighting so
many long, weary months. Steamers,
tugs yachts and even small rOwbOatS
were soon making their way as fast as
possible toward Golden Gate, all bent
upon adding to the welcome given to
the boys from the Webfoot State.
The Reception Committee appointed
to arrange for the homecoming of the
Oregonians were soon safely aboard the
tugboats Sea Queen and Governor Ir-
win and headed for the ocean. On
board the Irwin were the Haroor Com
missioners, the officials of the National
Guard of California and Governor Geer
of Oregon and his staff On the Sea
Queen were the representatives of the
press. the band furnished by Mayor
Phelan and many invited guests. The
revenue cutter Golden Gate, bearing
Federal officials, was soon under way,
and was Joined by the Federal quar-
antine boat from Angel Island. Then
there were boats at the disposal of the
Red Cross and other societies and many
chartered by private parties.
AS the transports slowly steamed up
the harbor the soldiers on board gath
cred in excited groups on deck, and
some climbed into the rigging, where
they shouted and cheered like mad. The
band on the Sea Queen played patriotic
airs. and the screaming of many steam
sirens created pandemonium. The
health officials boarded the vessels,
which changed their course toward the
quarantine stations. where the doctors
will make a thorough examination of
the men.
1t is yet undecided whether the Ore
gon volunteers will be allowed to land
in San Francisco before returning to
their Oregon homes. The Department
at Washington once ordered that there
be no delay in sending the men north
from here, but recent developments may
possibly cause the Department to re-
scind it's former decision.
AS soon as it was positively known
that the Oregon soldiers would stop
here, committees We're appointed to ar
range for fitting reception to the Srave
men, and everything progressed finely
toward that end, when word was re-
ceived from Washington that the sol
diers would not stop here more than
long enough to permit fresh supplies
being placed on board the transports.
This decision of the Department, of
course, put a damper on the work of
the committees. but they recovered
from the first shock and decided to go
ahead with their preparations. and
trust to influence to obtain the desired
permission. Governor Geer of Oregon
and his staff came to San Francisco
for the express purpose of receiving the
volunteers. and since their arrival here
have been in constant communication
with the Department at Washington to
have the men granted permission to
land here, but so far their efforts have
been unavailing.
General Shafter would like to have
the men landed here, but must, of
course, obey the instructions of his
superiors. He puts the matter in this
light: 1.-The Government is anxious to
have all the volunteers in the Philip
pines returned here, and if the Oregon
boys were allowed to land here it would
delay the necessary dispatch of the
transports to the Philippines for the
regiments of other States"
General Shafter fully appreciates the
anxiety of the people of San Francisco
to give the Oregon boys fitting re-
ception, but so far has been unable to
give any encouraging information upon
the subject.
The vessels entered port with COM
paratively clean bills of health, there
being but one or two cases of sickness
among the soldiers, but there are sew
enty-two men on the transports suffer-
ing from wounds received in the Phil
ippines. There were no deaths or other
casualties among The soldiers during the
voyage from Manila. No stop was
made at Honolulu
The soldiers are all anxious to have
their discharge papers issued here. and
Colonel Summers has sent Il telegram
to the Adjutant General at Washington
expressing the desire of the men to be
mustered out here. The telegram was
fndorsed by Governor Geer of Gre
gon.
In three weeks after the President
Issued his first call for troops the State
of Oregon sent forth its regiment On
May 16, 1893, the first detachment Of
the regiment took the train for San
Francisco.