Soldiers and sailors of New Jersey in the Spanish-American War, embracing a chronological account of the Army and Navy, Part 2

Author: McNally, Bernard, comp
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Newark, N.J., B. McNally
Number of Pages: 110


USA > New Jersey > Soldiers and sailors of New Jersey in the Spanish-American War, embracing a chronological account of the Army and Navy > Part 2


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let go after being warned. Anoth er Spanish soldier surrendered to Badger. Nuevitas is being evac- uated to-day; about 4,000 Span- ish soldiers have gone to Holguin.


26. At 3:45 p. m. a steamer towing two sailing vessels came out of Nuevitas; ship was cleared for action as the Spanish flag was made out, and it was thought that the gun boats had come out to fight, but the vessels were found to be carrying a Red Cross flag; they were hove to and boarded, when it was found that they had no papers, and that there was nearly 400 Spanish soldiers on board; they were declared prizes, the Stars and Stripes hoisted, and a prize crew put aboard the steam- er Humberto Rodriquez; the Badger left the blockade and pro- ceeded with its convoy of prizes toward Havana, which was reach- ed on the morning of the 29th; af- ter reporting to the flagship the Badger was ordered to take her prizes to Dry Tortugas; arriving there at noon of the 30th the Badger and her prizes lay at Dry Tortugas awaiting the action of Navy Department until August 3; painting ship and coaling the Rodriquez when orders came to deliver the soldiers in the two sail- ing ships to General Blanco at Havana, then send the Rodriquez to New York as a prize, and for the Badger to proceed to Key West for orders; arrived at Key West at 4 p. m.


Aug. 4. The Badger is ordered to Guan- tanamo, but has to coal and pro- vision ship first, which occupied three days.


7. Started for Guantanamo, stop- ping at Jibara on the way; arriv- ed there at 10 a. m: of the 9th. and found 26 American men of war and auxiliaries at anchor: the flowers of the American navy. Sampson, Schley and Watson on their flagships. New York, Brook- lyn and Oregon. Badger is at- tached to Watson's squadron for the invasion of Spain.


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10 to 12. Badger's crew are coaling ship again, and are going ashore in sections, going over the battle- fields of Guantanamo, rambling all over Camp McCalla, and oc- casionally getting inside the Span- ish lines. . At 10 p. m. on the 12th, general signal to the fleet was made. Four battleships, New York and Brooklyn ordered to Tompkinsville; peace protocol signed and hostilities ceased; blockade of Cuba and Porto Rico raised, which caused intense en- thusiasm all through the fleet.


13. Commodore Watson transferred his flag from the Oregon to the Badger. Peace! No more stand- ing by your guns through the lonely night watches; peering through the darkness for the ene- my and blockade runners; a little relaxation now, and probably home soon.


14. New York, Brooklyn, Iowa, In- diana, Massachusetts and Oregon leave for home with their bands playing "Home, Sweet Home," and "Out of the Wilderness." Badger's crew are enjoying them- selves ashore, rambling all over the country.


16. Commodore Watson transferred his flag to the Newark.


17. Officers of the Badger go to San- tiago on the Scorpion, and visit · the destroyed Spanish fleet.


18. Seven officers and 182 men of the 34th Michigan Vol. came aboard the Badger, and at 4 p. m. the Badger picks up her anch- or and starts for home, arriving at Montauk Point on the 23d, and


arriving at Boston on the 27th. Just before getting into Boston, Coxwain Nellinger fell from the main mast head to the deck, dy- ing very soon after; this is the only fatality of the entire cruise. The Badger lay in Boston until September 27th, much to the dis- gust of the Naval Reserves, who desired to get back to their occu- pations after the war was over. Whilst laying in Boston she par- ticipated in the naval demonstra- tion on September 15th, '98, and put on 600 tons of coal.


Sept. 27. The Boston went to League Is- land Navy Yard, Philadelphia, and proceeded to take out her ammunition and stores, and dis- mounted her secondary battery, ready for being discharged.


Oct. 6. The Reserves were paid off and left Philadelphia in a special train stopping at Newark where they paraded, receiving a very enthusi- astic welcome, a hearty welcome was also given them in Jersey City, where they were received by Governor Voorhees and staff, and they afterwards paraded in Ho- boken, where the inhabitants had made elaborate preparations to receive them, and gave the boys a most vigorous reception; they then marched aboard the U. S. S. Portsmouth, where they were mustered out of the service, and received their discharges.


Oct. 10. The City of Hoboken gave the Badger crew a banquet and recep- tion at the Quartette Club Hall, in Hoboken.


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Officers of U. S. S. Badger.


Commander A. S. Snow, U. S. N., Commanding.


Lieutenant H. C. Gearing, U. S. N., Executive Officer.


Lieutenant E. McC. Peters, Navigator.


Lieutenant (J. G.) Washington Irving,. Watch and Division Officer.


Lieutenant (J. G.) Irving Blount, Watch Officer.


Ensign Thomas Goldingay, Watch Officer.


Ensign Chas. M. Vreeland, Watch Officer.


Ensign Wm. P. O. Rourke, Junior Watch Officer.


Ensign Daniel A. Dugan, Junior Watch Officer.


Ensign A. N. Kemble, Junior Watch Officer.


Ensign F. Upshur, Junior Watch Officer.


Ensign C. F. Long, Marines Officer.


P. A. Engineer G. F. Burd, U. S. N., Chief Engineer.


P. A. Engineer B. F. Hart, First Assistant Engineer.


P. A. Engineer D. Ritchie, Assistant Engineer.


Assistant Engineer James Quilty, Assistant Engineer.


Assistant Engineer H. Anderson, Assistant Engineer.


P. A. Paymaster A. H. Colby. P. A. Surgeon M. S. Simpson. Pay Clerk Thomas Criss.


One Ensign and five men of the Battalion of the East, N. R. N. J., were detailed for the Resolute at the commencement of the war, and served on her until October 21, 1898. The Resolute was engaged in carrying troops to Cuba until early in July, when she took a cargo of submarine mines to Admiral Samp- son. During the engagement with Cervera's fleet at Santiago she acted as a Despatch boat and carried the news to Sampson that the fleet was coming out of Santiago. Later she was present during the bombardment of Manzanillos.


After peace was declared she became the flag ship of Admiral Sampson and took the Peace Commissioners to Havana.


Ensign-Geo. H. Mather .. Seamen-H. H. Garrabrants, C. M. Rivers, A A. Delaney, C. Nevins, G. Schoonmaker.


First Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers.


April 8. If the First Regiment are called upon for active service, it will as- semble in fatigue uniform with overcoat, slouch hat and leggins. Canvas belts for cartridges will probably replace present cartridge box and leather belts, knap- sacks or merriam packs. Each guardsman is expected to wear a good suit of underclothing, socks and flannel overshirt and stout shoes.


8. ' Attendance of spectators at bat- talion drills of the First Regiment has been so large that men have been detailed to keep crowd back.


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12. Gov. Voorhees signed following commission; John C. Schock, First Lieutenant Co. M, First Regiment.


I9. Companies C, D and F of the First Regiment had successful practice march to Hilton last night. At Irvington fireworks were set off in honor of the guardsmen, and many residences were illuminated.


27. Crowds gathered at the armory last night to discuss the situation and to hear latest information as . to movements of the First Regi- ment.


27. Members of the First Regiment made individual preparations to start for Sea Girt on hearing that they had been called to represent the State in the war with Spain.


27. The First Regiment will consist of 980 enlisted men and 46 com- missioned officers. The maximum strength of the companies will be 81 men and 3 officers. [United States Government standard, a company consists of 103 men and 3 officers.]


28. Members of the First Regiment get ready to move promptly on receiving orders. They select


their tent mates and arrange other details.


28. The field and staff. non-commis- sioned staff and line officers of the First Regiment is as follows: Field and Staff, Edward A. Camp- bell, Col .; R. Heber Breintnall. Lieut .- Col .; Henry W. Freeman, Chas. B. Champlin, Frank Haves, Majors; James L. Marsh, Adju- tant; Andrew B. Byram, Horace K. Vincent, Arthur H. Mackie, Battalion Adjutants: Geo. W. Church, Quartermaster; Thomas H. Jones, Paymaster; Henry Al- lers, Surgeon; James R. English and S. Harbourne Baldwin, As- sistant Surgeons; Rev. John Kellar, Chaplain; John L. John- son, Judge Advocate; William H. Howard, Inspector Rifle Practice; Robert M. Phillips, Command- ant Gun Detachment. Non- Commissioned Staff-William E. Terhune, Sergeant Major; Chas. W. Mayow, Geo. E. Melcher, Geo. H. Pennington, Battalion Sergeant Majors; Albert H. Bald- win, Quartermaster Sergeant; Geo. W. Hill, Drum Major; Ru- dolph E. Wilhelm, Job A. Wol- verton, Wm. Pitt Rich, Hospital Stewards; Benjamin S. Sager, bugler. Co. A, Joseph. H. Mc- Mahon, Captain; Patrick J. Grif- fin, First Lieutenant; Thomas J. Mulgrave, Second Lieutenant. Co. B. Geo. Handley. Captain: Herbert C. Van Houten, First Lieutenant; Wm. H. Camfield. Second Lieutenant. Co. C, Harry T. Spain, Captain; Alvah M. Ja- cobus, First Lieutenant: Win. H. Black, Second Lieutenant. Co. D. Alfred Williams, Captain; Or- rin E. Runyon, First Lieutenant; James E. Van Houten, Second Lieutenant. Co. E. James Walsh, Captain; Geo. Zimmer, First


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Lieutenant; Gustavus A. Shourt, Second Lieutenant. Co. F, John D. Fraser, Captain; First Lieu- tenant, vacant; Sidney W. Allen, Second Lieutenant. Co. G, Geo. M. Buttle, Captain; F. Randolph Crowell, First Lieutenant; James E. Brown, Second Lieutenant. Co. H, Frank E. Boyd, Captain; Adolph G. Frey, First Lieuten- ant; Wm. H. Ring, Second Lieu- tenant. Co. I, Arthur Rowland, Captain; Frank L. Van Deman, First Lieutenant; Arthur Toma- lin, Second Lieutenant. Co. K, Cornelius A. Reilly, Captain; C. Albert Gasser, First Lieutenant; Joseph B. O'Rourke, Second Lieutenant. Co. L, Theodore C. Reiser, Captain; Louis J. O'Rourke, First Lieutenant; Ed- ward Phillips, Second Lieutenant. Co. M, Captain, vacant; John C. Schoch, First Lieutenant; Pat- rick J. Anderson, Second Lieu- tenant.


29.


The First Regiment was order- ed to Sea Girt. It will number over 1,000 men when they leave Newark. They will wear the uniform of the New Jersey Na- tional Guard, which will be ex- changed later for the United States Government uniform. The men must be at Camp Voorhees not later than 2 p. m., Monday. With the exception of the Mer- riam packs, or knapsacks, they are all ready to go.


30. The First Regiment will leave the armory on Orange street at 9:30 a. m. on Monday, and march down Broad street to C. R. R. station and from thence take train for Sea Girt.


May 2.


The First Regiment off for Sea Girt: a magnificent demonstra- tion marks the departure of the Newark troops. Vast crowds watch the march of the soldiers, who. so promptly responded to the call of duty. Broad street was completely blocked by a surg- ing mass of humanity. and at the Central R. R. station the throng was so dense that it was only by - hard and desperate work that the


police forced a passage way for the soldiers. Many women faint- ed; children were tossed about, and strong men found themselves helpless in the crush. At the ar- mory the men reported to their companies and each received his equipment, which consisted of a Merriam pack or knapsack, a haversack, a rubber poncho, an overcoat, a cartridge belt, and a tin cup. At 9:20 a. m. Col. E. A. Campbell gave the order to fall in. The drum corps took up a position in the main corridor, and at the word of command, sounded the Adjutant's call to assemble. The comamnd was given to move, and the men were under way. The mounted police went ahead to clear the way. Following the mounted police came Phil. Sheri- dan Post, G. A. R., headed by a drum corps. Lincoln Post Fol- lowed, led by Commander Wm. M. Whiting. In order came Gar- field Post and Marcus L. Ward Post; next came two companies of the Catholic Protectory cadets of Arlington. They have been the pride of Capt. Joseph H. Mc- Mahon of Co. A, who drilled them. Hexamer Post and a com- pany of firemen under Battalion


· Chief Sloan. The order of the troops was as follows: Col., Ed- ward A. Campbell: Captain and Adjutant, R. M. Philips; Major and Surgeon, Henry Allers; Cap- tain and Quartermaster, Geo. W. Church; Lieut. and Asst. Sur- geon, James R. English; Lieut. and Asst. Surgeon, S. H. Bald- win; Captain and Chaplain, J. Madison Hare: Voss' First Regi- ment Band; Major Henry W. Freeman, commanding First Bat- talion: Captain Geo. Handley, commanding Co. B: Capt. Har- ry T. Spain, commanding Co. C; Lieutenant Orrin E. Runyon, commanding Co. D; Capt. John D. Fraser, commanding Co. F; Major Chas. B. Champlin, com- manding Third Battalion; Capt. James Walsh, commanding Co. E; Capt. C. A. Reilly, command-


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ing Co. K; Company K with col- ors; Capt. Joseph H. McMahon, commanding Co. A; Capt. Geo. M. Buttle, commanding Co. G; Mayor Frank Hayes, commanding Second Battalion; Capt. Theo. C. Reiser, commanding Co. L; Capt. Arthur Rowland, commanding Co. I; First Lieutenant John C. Schoch, commanding Co, M; Capt. Frank E. Boyd, command- ing Co. H. The scene along Broad street cannot be described. At Market streetand thenceto the City Hall the crowd was the most dense. Mayor Seymour, with head uncovered, stood in the cen- tre of the City Hall steps holding aloft an American and Cuban flag. Every available foot of standing room on the steps and balcony was occupied by city officials and others. Passing the Hall, the guardsmen marched to Hill street and countermarched to the Cen- tral depot, where trains were in waiting. Taken all in all, it was such a demonstration as the New- ark soldiers will remember all their lives. It was 11:20 a. m. when the first train started for Sea Girt. Flags, hats and handker- chiefs were waiving everywhere; whistles of factories tooted, and church bells were rung, and amid all the noise the first section start- ed. It was ten minutes later when the second section started, and there was a repetition of the wild scenes and sounds that attended the first train. The first section carrying the First Regiment of Newark, arrived at Camp Voor- hees, Sea Girt, at 1:15 p. m .; there were 600 men on the train of 13 cars, including Col. Campbell and staff, the First Bat, Cos. B, C, D and F, and Cos. A, E and K of the Third Battalion. The second section arrived at 1 :28. On the train was Co. G, Third Bat., un- der command Major Champlin, and Cos. H, I, L and MI, of Sec- ond Bat., Major Hayes. The flag on Governor's headquarters was raised at noon. On the east, near the ocean, is the section assigned


to the First Regiment, of New- ark.


3. Gov. Voorhees was pleased with the fine showing of the men of the First Regiment. The Commis- sary Department slow in furnish- ing food, but it is nourishing, sub- stantial and there is plenty of it. First guard mount of the camp was given by men of the First Regiment. . Strict discipline is maintained, and leaves of absence few.


3. The camp at Sea Girt, as begun yesterday, sheltered 3,000, the whole number being divided as follows: First Regiment, 1,015; Second Regiment, 1,045; Third Regiment, 940; Gen. Plume's staff and- a few others. Gen. Plumes' staff is composed of fol- lowing officers: Col. Marvin Dodd, of Newark; Col. Alexan- der C. Oliphant, of Trenton; Col. Geo. W. Terriberry, of Paterson; Lieutenant-Col. William Strange, of Paterson; Lieut .- Col William S. Righter, of Newark; Col. A. Judson Clark, of Newark; Maj. James W. Howard, of Newark; Maj. Chas. Alling Gifford, of Newark, and Maj. J. S. Henry Clark, of Newark.


4. The examination of troops has begun at Sea Girt, United States medical officers reject only two members of Co. B, First Regi- ment. Men jubilant over success. Capt. Henry Allers, the first Jer- seyman to be mustered into Government service. Private Hartman, when told that he was too old to serve, broke down and cried over his misfortune. Officers have an easier examination than the men. Rigid discipline is maintained in the camp, and few men allowed to leave the grounds. Outside guards are to be posted when the Government takes con- trol of the post.


6. Co. B, First Regiment, was the first to be mustered into the Gov- ernment service from New Jersey. Five companies of the First Reg- iment have been examined. A much better showing is being


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made than was expected. Cos. B, C, D, F and K have gone through the ordeal; only 16 men have been rejected, three in B, three in D, five in C, four in F, and one in K.


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The seven members of the First Regiment, who yesterday refused to enlist, were hooted out of camp at noon to-day. When their re- fusal became known the feeling became so bitter against them that they were kept in the guard house all night for protection. Only the bayonets of the detail prevented an assault on the un- popular guardsmen. Physical examinations are progressing rap- idly and with satisfactory results. Recruits arrive to fill up the de- pleted ranks.


8. There was a great deal of satis- faction expressed in Co. E, First Regiment, when Gov. Voorhees, on Maj. Freeman's recommenda- tion, had Private Herbert G. May- hew detailed as his orderly. Pri- vate Mayhew has been in the Na- tional Guard for 10 years, and served 5 years in the regular ar- my. The . examining surgeons are hard at work all day in mess halls, so that by night every com- pany in the First Regiment will have stood the physical ordeal. The rejections are very few, the highest being 6 men in Co. K. The work of mustering in the ex- amined and fully recruited com- panies is progressing steadily, and the entire battalion was mustered in by 4 p. m.


8. Sixty-four new men for the First Regiment go down to Sea Girt to fill vacancies in the ranks.


IO. Newark regiment hopes to move first. Officers and men confident that they will be assigned to the station at Chickamauga. Col. Campbell and his subordinates pass the physical examination.


12. The War Department wanted the First Regiment to move from Sea Girt to the South to-day, but Gov. Voorhees objected, as their sup- plies have not yet been received; not believed to be safe to have


then move to the front until they are fully prepared with the neces- sary clothing. They will be prepar- *ed to leave by Saturday, and the military authorities hope that the three regiments will go as a unit.


13. The First Regiment receives or- ders to be ready in 24 hours to move. Col. Campbell and his staff sworn into the service of the United States Government. The rejection of a homeopathic phy- sician as surgeon, causes indig- nation in the Second Regiment, and Gov. Voorhees may insist on the doctor's being accepted. .


16. New orders for the First Regi- ment. Col. Campbell directed by Secretary Alger to take his com- mand to Falls Church, Va. Must be ready for instant moving, just as soon as supplies are received the Newark soldiers will start for the South, probably by next Thursday.


18. The First Regiment men showed their joy over moving orders, by parading and doing a war dance. The First Regiment made a fine showing at its last inspection at Sea Girt.


20. Newark troops at National Cap- itol. First


Regiment soldiers cheered on their way to their sta- tion in the South. Will leave for Falls Church, Va., this afternoon. Inspiring scene before the start from Sea Girt. Gov. Voorhees with bared head reviews the First Regiment as it leaves the camp at Sea Girt.


21. First Regiment soldiers spent the night in the woods at Dunn Lor- ing, Va., then they moved to their station at Camp Alger. Fine weather makes the boys happy, and all of them are well.


22. Newark's soldier boys now have their tents up, and camp regular- ly organized at Camp Alger, near Falls Church, Va.


23. The First Regiment wants to move further South, where they will see actual service. There is some sickness and one death among the men of the First, but all are contented and well. A


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new water supply has been secur- ed, and the food is satisfactory.


24.


The First Regiment men more closely guarded at Camp Alger than are the other soldiers. Their first dress parade was held yester- day at 5:30, and Col. Campbell is well pleased with the showing of the men.


25. Col. Edward A. Campbell, of the First New Jersey, has been as- signed to the command of the First Brigade, First Division. at Camp Alger. The brigade is composed of First New Jersey, Seventh Ohio, and Sixty-fiftl. New York Infantry. The New- ark soldiers are pleased over the honor conferred upon their com- mander, Maj. Allers was made Brigade Surgeon. Jerseymen miss the delicacies with which they were regaled at Sea Girt, and are still disposed to grumble over ar- my fare.


26. First Brigade drill at Camp Al- ger. Col. Campbell puts his new command through the evolutions in a satisfactory manner. Only two cases of slight illness in New Jersey Regiment. Twenty thous- and men will be in Camp Alger by Saturday.


29. The sunshine was warmly wel- comed at Camp Alger this morn- ing.


29. A grand review was given to- day at Camp Alger. Yesterday was the first time in over thirty years that an army of volunteers rendezvoused in time of war, had passed in review before the com- mander in chief of the army and navy, and attracted many thousands from Washington. There were were 12,000 troops in line. Col. Campbell of the First Regiment, as Acting Brigadier General, led theparade, and his regiment was close behind his staff.


30. The first death in the ranks of the First New Jersey Regiment, oc- curred yesterday, when Corporal Wm. Chase Canniff. of Co. D. ex- pired at the hospital after an ill- ness of about 18 hours. His death was ascribed to acute Bright's dis-


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ease. The troops at Camp Alger were given a holiday, to celebrate Memorial Day. Jerseymen feast- ed on chickens, and fed a hungry Kansas regiment which arrived in the grounds without equipments or provisions.


31. The First Regiment men receiv- ed a welcome bundle from the Daughters of the Revolution, con- taining socks, pencils, postal cards, magazines, papers and pipes. The contents were dis- tributed by the captains of the companies. A terrific rainstorm struck the camp Sunday night, and as a result every member of the First Regiment who had not thoroughly trenched around his tent, was drenched. In some of the tents the water was nearly knee deep.


June 4. The severity of army discipline was exemplified this morning. when Corporal Byrne of the First Regiment was refused a furlough to attend his mother's funeral.


7. Lieutenants Van Deman, Gasser and Van Houten ordered to New- ark to secure recruits for the First Regiment at Camp Alger. First Regiment spent a long and te- dious day moving camp, yester- day, to the grounds formerly oc- cupied by the Fourth Missouri, about a mile from the First's old grounds. The camp of the First was left in splendid shape, but that was not the case in camp which they marched into. A more disreputable and dirty camp could not have been imagined than that which they entered. Bc- fore a stake was driven, every inch of the ground was swept, and the refuse burned. The new grounds are more healthy than the old.


8. Too hot to drill at Camp Alger. Battalion evolutions abandoned, because soldiers in heavy uni- forms are affected by the weath- er. The Pennsylvania State troops tried to force the Newark boys' guard line; both sides charged bayonets, but Col. Campbell and Maj. Freeman ar- rived in time to prevent blood


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shed. The men are worrying be- cause of the failure of their pay to arrive.


9. The first brigade parade since the First New Jersey moved camp, was held last night. The parade ground is very rough, and is covered with the stumps of small saplings, which made marching difficult. but the New Jersey troops made a good show- ing. Adjutant Graff returned to duty with the regiment after serv- ing on brigade staff of Col. Camp- bell. The men have a plentiful supply of water. The Seventh Ohio made a solemn compact with the First New Jersey to stand together against the Pennsylvania yaps.


II. Requisitions for ammunition lead the First New Jersey troops to believe that will be ordered to move. A detail of 8 men and a corporal were put to work con- structing a bathing pond near the camps of the First New Jersey and Seventh Ohio. Suspicious characters invade the camp after the men receive their money, and are driven out after a lively chase at night. A large amount of cash was sent to Newark. A commis- sion was appointed to investigate the division hospital.


12. Portraits-Mr. and Mrs. Roder- ick B. Stevens, of this city, have six sons enlisted in the First Regi- ment N. J. Volunteers.


13. The officers of the First Regi- ment were measured for clothing suitable for wear in the South, to- day. The new uniforms will be made of Kahki material, such as is used by English army officers in. India and Egypt.


13. First Regiment attended a me- morial service conducted by Fath- er Tom Sherman, for a dead Mis- souri private.


14. Heat and dust make camp life miserable, and the soldiers suffer in spite of a shower. Major Al- lers is at the head of a commis- sion to investigate all the serious cases of illness in the hospitals.




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