Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-02-01

idle, loss of four men wounded and
one killed.
We entered San Isidro on the morn
ing of May IL. While there, for the
first time during the campaign, 1 was
able to get an interview with General
Lawton, being introduced to him by
Assistant Adjutant General Edwards,
his chief of staff.
The generals headquarters at San
Isidro were entirely free from ostenta-
ton. Inferior officers had been per-
mitted to occupy the palatial resi-
dences while he picked out one OF a
common hundred.
l found him, his coat off, seated by
a candle, busily engaged. Upon my be-
ing admitted, he arose, extended me
his hand and cordially invited me to
sit down; and, expressing my regrets
for interrupting him with matter
that might not be regarded of very
grave concern, he replied that he had
no objection to being freely quoted, an
swering my inquiries as follows:
How does the western volunteer
compare with those who fought in
Cuba?" l asked.
ITS not fair comparison. never
met with finer men in my life than
these volunteers from the west. They
have splendid material in them, espe-
cially for scouts, and, considering the
short time they have been Ill the army,
have acquitted themselves wonderful
ly."
Would you express an opinion re-
ferring especially to the work of the
Oregons while in your commando"
We'll, this would be embarrassing
on account of the other volunteer regi-
ments connected with the campaign"
How are you impressed with the
volunteers as ohicers?"
''Of course they are not expected,
from a military standpoint, to be eff
Gent as men who have devoted a good
part of their lives to the army, but for
fighting qualities, which, after all, is
what we most want, they have no SUI
periors. l am well pleased with Col
onel Summers. Since being with me
my attention has been attracted to
three of his moves in particular, show
ing very pretty work. If he failed to
capture the enemy it wasn't his fault.
The colonePs fire was simply so hot
that the insurgents couldn't stand I'M
der it long enough for our men to get
ipfn Il 1.-Two
him for promotion.
Our men here" after a few min
utes' pause the general continued, ARE
greatly handicapped. They are
weighed down with. too much load.
All soldier should be required to
carry in this climate besides his rife
is a canteen and belt of cartridges. Up
at Vera Cruez 80 of my men were pros
trated from heat, 8 of them becoming
unconscious right on the spot"
What improvement along this line
would you suggest?"
"Why, instead of these bull-carts we
should have for use in the campaigns
here from 600 to 1000 western mules,
and the wagon-trains should get to
camp in 20 minutes after the troops.
1t wears men out to have to wait
around for their meals"
He then talked about the work of
the scouts, remarking that nothing
had grieved him more than the loss of
Young and Harrington. "These two
men," he said, were worth two regi-
ments." He had known Young only
since the taking'of San Rafael, and his
attention had first been attracted to
Harrington one day when the latter
got lost from Major Eastwick across
the river from Norzagaroy. Although
the major seemed confident of his safe
RETURN" continued General Lawton,
the idea of comrade being left over
there among the insurgents worried me
all that night"