Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-07
AT CAMP COLUMBIA.
THE FIRST DRILL SINCE THE "T-
TURN FROM THE INTERIOR.
DISCHARGES ARE HARD TO GET.
Captain Lambs Interview wiz"
AIgcr Regarding the Fourth-"""
the New. sureud-A MonOtonous
Esistence-PcrsonnI Mention.


Correspondence OF the Dispatch)
! CAMP COLUMBIA, HABANA, CUBA
March 2-This morning w had the first
drill since our departure for the mafch
through Cuba. Beginning with to-day
all future drills Of the Second Division
will be, until further orders, in the evoiu-
tons of the regiment I'm extended order
and also advance and rear guard. Here
tofore the extended order drills nave been
limited to battalion and company forma-
lions.
The Maine Artillery are expecting to
embark next Saturday for Savannah
Shelter tents are being supplied the com
panies through the corps for temporary
camps. Restrictions are being placed on
discharges. Except in rare cases applica-
lions for discharge are returned disap-
proved for the present, and not more
than one fourth the number usually
granted in the corps now go through.
These facts are thought 10 indicate that
our days are numbered here, and 1t is
hoped that a forward movement Will soon
begin all along the line.
There was d great hurrah in camp yes
terday when the men read in the Rich
mOnd papers Congressman Lambs inter-
view with Secretary Alger in regard to
the return of the Fourth Virginia Regi-
ncnt, and it could not have flashed over
the regiment quicker If 1t had been at
tached 10 a streak Of lightning, for ii
concerned the much-mooted question
which takes precedence over everything
else. This is evidently characteristic Of
camp life. A distinguished officer, who
was born and reared a soldier, and who
Is Il veteran Of man battles, re-
marked to me the other day hat the
hardest part Of a soldiers life is that
spent in inaction. lie said that then he
himself always had the hardest time
keeping men satisfied and In good spirits,
but during a campaign an American sO,-
der always finds in the Qui vivc Of ex-
element that buoyancy which nerves and
supports MIN in any emergency. Said he:
Il believe that there is 70 time in the life
Of every man when he has wished that
he was a soldier, and l also believe that
the monotony OF camp life makes every
soldier wish he was anything else
Sancho Panza philosophy has it, ANY
fool can die, but it takes a man 20 live
on army ratiOns. If O soldier could be,
as regulations would make him, a sort
Of automatOn TO move when wound up.
or Ia stay I'm one place until changed 10
another. or if the Articles of War would
allow him TO take a sort OF rip Van
Winkle' nap. spending the time OF walt
ing for action in snOOZing. why, the mo-
nOt0ny would not bother him at all. And
If the Blue Book" would allow him 10
dream. he might become generalissimo or
the army. But the volunteer army. Is
composed Of men % action, and such Ire
can never satisfy Independent me en-
ergetic spirits.
General Lee said to-day that he had
received no orders for the return 10 the
States Of any Of the troops of his com
approved the army bill he thoueht that
orders looking TO the movement OF the
troops would be received.
The engineering corps has nearly com
plcted very OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES nath-
houses i'm each regimental camp. They
are supplied with facilities FOR shower
and tub baths. both Of which, however,
will be very cheap in Cuba during the
rainy season
master. United States Volunteers, mas
been appointed chief quartermaster Of the
First Division Of the Seventh Army corps
in place Of Colonel Crager. VINO mas nyen
appointed chief quartcrmaster OF the Dc
partment Of Pinar del Rio.
Major Tyler. Senator Hale, captain
Jackson. and the guards from company
X. of the Fourth Virginia, returned yes
terday from the tour made IN paving OIL
the regiments at santa CARA Nldldi@a''
and other places.
Sergeant William II. Pcake, of Company
d has received his discharge. and VIII
leave for his home, I'm Hampton. on the
first transport.
Private James Rutherford. OF company
NJ. to-day received a cable message stat
ing that his discharge had been granted.
Private Charles carrie, Of Company II,
Who has been confined to the division
hospital for the past month. has recov-
cred and is now back with ms company;
CITY Of Habana has been nicely uniform
ed and drilled. and is posted about the
CITY TO keep the peace. There are about
500 Of them. twenty-five OF Wnom are
bv chief McCullagh. and are selected
from the officers and men of the Cuban