Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-03
TROOPS NOT MOVED
Difficulty in Securing Transportation
for Them.
PLUM ISLAND THEIR DESTINATION
Managers Of the Soldiers Homes
in the City,
MAILS TO BE FUMIGATED

In Difference to the earnest recommends
ton of Surgeon General Wyman of the ma
rine hospital service that the troops from
Fort Monroe should not be sent to Bat
terry Point, DEL but should be shipped fur
ther north, General Merritt, commanding
the department of the east. has decided to
send the men to Plum Island
This is a fortified post Long Island
sound, between New London, Conn, and
Montauk Point. There will be ample ac-
commodations, it is said, for the 240 men
comprising the battery. If any of the men
have been infected and should develop the
fever they can be more easily quarantined
at Plum Island than at Battery Point.
There is no telling, however, when the
men will get there. The order for their
moval was issued by Secretary Alger last
Monday, and they have not started yet.
Furthermore the date of their probable
departure can only be surmised. The War
Department is having no end of trouble to
get the men away. Surgeon General Wy
man does not want them transported by
rail through Virginia, they would have
to pass through Phoebus and Hampton.
Difficulties of Transportation.
AS has been stated, the transportation
companies objected to furnishing a vessel
for the shipment of the men to Cape
Charles City. where connection would be
made by rail for New York. The steamship
owners We're afraid that fever might break
out on board the vessel and cause the con-
demnation of the ship.
Another difficulty has now arisen. The Of
iicials at Cape Charles City have declared
quarantine against Fort Monroe, and insist
that the troops cannot land at Cape Charles
to take the train. 1t IS thought probable,
however that the officials might be induced
to raise the quarantine to enable the men
to pass directly through without stopping.
The latest proposition is to send the men
by from Fort Monroe direct to Plum
Island. The only objection to this plan is
the lack of a transport. The department is
short of transports on the Atlantic coast.
and it may be several days before they can
find one available for this duty.
War Department officials are very much
gratifed that General Merritt should have
reconsidered his determination to send the
Plum Island is much better location and
will give the men beneficial change of air
and climate.
Soldiers Home Managers.
Surgeon General Wyman had call this
morning from Col. A. j. Smith, inspector
general of the Hampton Home. He was
accompanied by Gen. Martin Mcmahon.
Col Smith presented letter from VIM. B.
Franklin, president of the board of man
ayers of the home, authorizing Col Smith
to act for the board in cooperating with
the surgeon general in every possible way.
Col. Smith and Gen. Mcmahon, after talk
ing over the situation with DR.. Wyman,
left for Norfolk, where they Will manage
the collection and transmission of supplies
to the home during the continuance of the
quarantine.
Acting General Superintendent Grant of
the railway mail service has issued in
structions for the fumigation of all mail
from Hampton, Soldiers Home, Phoebus,
Fortress Monroe and Rip-Raps.
The Virginia board of health has notified
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad not to
stop its trains anywhere between Williams
burg and Newport News.
a Transport offered.
The quartermaster's department has Of
fercd the use of the transport Mcclellan
to remove the Fort Monroe garrison to
Plum Island. The Mcclellan is now coal
ing at New York and can sail this evening
if the commander at Fort Monroe desires
her