New-York tribune., 1900-10-14
MANY RECRUITS DESERT.
PAINFUL EXPERIENCES IN SWIMMING
THE SOUND-PATROLS IN NEW
ROCHELLE.

Not in many years have desertions been SO
numerous they at Fort Slocum.
Long Island Sound Besides the regular garri-
son OF the 7th United States Artillery, about
five hundred recruits are stationed at the island.
The recruits were to have been sent to the Phil
ippines to China, and ali of them enlisted for
three years with the expectation of seeing for
egn lands. The now believe that they will
be kept at home to garrison forts and barracks
in this country, and this is leading to deser-
tions
A few weeks ago the officers in command of
the recruits were forced to discontinue the prac-
tice of giving passes and leaves of absence.
This has stimulated the desire to get away.
About fifty recruits have deserted in the last
few weeks. Among the missing men is Ser
geant Charles Buck Of Cleveland Ohio who
in charge of the quartermasters dock.
Sergeant Buck left his wife behind him at the
fort. Private Thomas Smith is also missing.
He was the man who induced to desert by
Privates Jackson and Wood, who. when they
got him out in the Sound in a boat, robbed him
and tried to sink him. Wood and Jackson are
serving terms of twenty years each in Sing Sing
prison. Smith has two charges Of desertion
pending against him. The officers say that If he
is captured they will court martial him.
On Friday night eight men escaped from the
fort on raft. Two of them-Henry Keenan,
twenty-six years old, and Walter Evans. TWEEN
ty-two years old-were captured and confined
in the guardhouse. Early yesterday morning
the prisoners again escaped, and swim
ming across the Sound to New Rochelle when
they were discovered by a sentry who opened
fire on them. None Of the shots took effect. The
New Rochelle police were then informed and
platoon of soldiers, armed with Krag-Jorgensen
rifles, sent to New Rochelle. Dividing into
details it patrolled the streets all night looking
for the deserters. About o'clock in the morn
ing Sergeant Kelley. OF the police force, came
upon Heenan. who was crouching behind a tree
The soldier ran two blocks. with the bluecoat
close behind him. The soldier climbed a high
board fence. Kelley overlook Heenan just he
was getting the fence, and the soldier
kicked him in the face with his heavy Shoes
Kelley finally landed on him with his night stick
and knocked him senseless. The other deserter
was picked up at a later hour by Patrolman
Brown.
thrilling experience in swimming the Sound. He
said that the bullets fired by the guard had
Splashed the water beside him and that his
companion had become so excited that he was
nearly drowned. The men court martialled
yesterday afternoon and will serve long terms in
military prisons
Corporal John Henry while in search Of de-
serters in John Brady's barn. in Drake-ave
New-Rochele. last night, accidentally discharged
his rife. The bullet ploughed through his cheek
and came out near his eye He was taken to
the hospital of the 7th Artillery.
Private Cox, a deserteri while swimming away
from the fort became exhausted and was nearly
drowned. He saved himself by holding fast to
a buoy in the Sound until daylight, when he
managed to attract the attention of the sentry
who rOwed out and brought him ashore. He
was placed in the guardhouse. Cox spent ter
rible night and weak from cold and ex-
hauston.