The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-04
TOOK THE ILLINOIS TROOPS.
MOBILE SAILED WITH THE FOURTH
AND NINTH REGIMENTS.

Vessel Was Crowded and Soldiers
Had TO sleep Three in a Bunk.
Colonies said This Hardship Is
CounterHcted by the satisfaction
of Travelling TOgether-Many PeO-
PIE Were at the Wharf to Bid the
soldiers Goodbye-Two of the
Officers Ordered Under Arrest for
Conduct Aboard the Transport.
The transport Mobile sailed yesterday
morning at II o'clock with Che Fourth and
the Ninth Illinois regiments. There was
a large crowd at the wharf to see the
transport off, a number of people having
secured passes to go within the inclos-
ure There was much waving Of hand
kerchiefs and hats from the spectators
and prolonged shouting and hurrahing
from the soldiers as the vessel cast loose
and started out into the stream.
1t viii be good thing for some OF the
men aboard the transport that it viii not
require more than forty-ive hours, if the
conditions are favorable, to make the trip.
About 300 are crowded in the hunks, there
being some thing like 100 TOO many in the
two regiments for the vessels accommo-
daUons.
The Mobile has sleeping room for 1850
men. Carrying two regiments was some
what Of an undertaking, and more than
she or any other transport has done since
the line between Savannah and Havana
has been established. This is the best yes
sci in the transport service however, and
it is a fortunate thing that she was in
port for the two commands to make the
trip aboard. Had il been any other it
would have either been deemed impossible
for the men to be put aboard or they
would have made the trip at the expense
OF great discomfort.
The 100 extra men made it necessary
for them to take as many of the berths
that are fixed up for the accommodation of
the enlisted men. These berths are in
tended for the occupancy of two men, so
that 300 were crowded by the arrange
ment.
Col James R. Campbell of The Ninth
and Col Eben Swift Of the Fourth an
ticipated but very little discomfort for
the men. Both of the officers We're in
terviewed and stated that the quick sched-
Ule of the trip VIII insure anybody against
prolonged Inconvenience. They regretted
that there was a necessity for overcrowd-
Ing a all, but felt that this was made up
for in measure by the Illinois regiments
being together.
1t was not without incident that the
troops got away. Before the vessel had
been loaded with it's human freight two
Of the officers, one from each regiment
had been put under arrest. Capt. r. e.
Hickman of Company G, of the Ninth,
was ordered under arrest by Lieut.. George
Meredith, adjutant Of the regiment. The
men OF Capt Hickman's company had
proven rather unruly about some matter
or other and he had become rather dis
gusted in consequence. He spoke careless
ly of his duty, saying the men might as
wei go and do what they pleased as he
could not control them. As adjutant Of
The regiment, Lieut. Meredith regarded it
as his duty 20 take notice Of the affair
lie therefore ordered the captain to his
statCroom under arrest and made re-
port of the matter 10 Col. Campbell.
A lieutenant Of one of the companies Of
the Fourth Illinois did not like the idea of
having his men sleep three in a bunk He
could not see why his command should
have been singled out as one of those that
had to submit to this little discomfort
and said he did propose 10 have them i'll
treated in any such manner. Col. Swift
heard Of the affair and ordered the lieu
tenant under arrest. This was the only
ending Of the affair, as the company had
to double up as originally ordered, the
refusal Of their officer TO allow them to be
so slowed away having been Of no bene-
III.
The Ninth Illinois went aboard night be-
fore last They had had twelve hours