USA > New York > New York in the Spanish-American war 1898 : part of the report of the Adjutant-General of the State for 1900, v. I pt 1 > Part 4
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In reply to this, Adjutant-General Corbin was notified of the telegram to the secretary of war sent on the 6th, and the same repeated to him, to which he replied as follows:
"Thanks for your telegram of even date. The quartermaster of the army will be instructed to correspond with you in the name of the secretary of war, concerning the transfer of the tents. It is the intention of the secretary of war, as soon as new ones can be manufactured, to have them replace those you turn in."
The surgeon-general of the army telegraphed to the Governor: " Please request your surgeon-general to nominate to the mus- tering officer a sufficient number of candidates for the hospital corps from which the medical examining board will select for enlistment 13 hospital stewards, 16 acting hospital stewards and 355 privates." Notice of the foregoing was given as requested.
The officers and enlisted men of the thirteenth regiment, then on duty at the camp at Hempstead Plains, were detached from their regiment, and placed under the command of Major George D. Russell, who received authority to form of them four com- panies and to recruit them to the maximum of S1 enlisted men
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
each. These companies were to form one of the battalions of the twenty-second regiment on arrival at the camp of the latter.
The twenty-second regiment, having volunteered its services, was ordered to be organized into eight companies and to proceed to Camp Black for entry into the United States service; the four companies of the battalion of the thirteenth at the camp were to join and become part of the regiment.
May 8th.
The following telegram, dated May 7th, 1898, from the secre- tary of war to the Governor, was received at the office of the adjutant-general of the state this day:
" It is the intention to order to Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga National Park, Ga., the first four regiments of infantry of your state which shall first be completely equipped. Every effort should be exerted to complete as fast as possible each regiment in turn, rather than all simultaneously. Report by telegraph when first regiment will be ready, also any subse- quent changes in date as to when regiment will be ready."
May 9th.
The secretary of war telegraphed to the Governor this day, as follows:
" Referring to my telegram of May 7th, we wish everything you can furnish, as the government is going to have hard work to equip its troops in time for service. Please have inventory of state property furnished with view to its return or accounting. for. The organizations to be equipped for Chickamauga should have everything required for field service, arms, ammunition, accoutre- ments, camp equipage, tentage, etc."
And later:
" Referring to my telegram of May 7th, you are informed that, owing to changed conditions, the destination of troops of your state mentioned therein has been changed from Camp George HI. Thomas, Ga., to Tampa, Fla., and they will be sent there
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-FIRST CALL.
provided your troops are uniformed, armed and equipped ready for service."
May 10th.
The following telegram was sent by the adjutant-general of the state to the honorable secretary of war: "The Governor is ready to start troops fully uniformed and equipped as soon as General Davis reports men mustered. Will report definitely this evening from Hotel Waldorf, New York city."
Brigadier-General George W. Davis, United States volunteers, chief mustering officer, was by telegraph requested to meet the adjutant-general this evening at the Hotel Waldorf, New York city.
Brigadier-General James McLeer, second brigade, was author- ized to uniform and equip such members of the thirteenth regi- ment as were volunteering to fill up the four companies at Camp Black, from the property issued heretofore by the state to the commanding officer of the thirteenth regiment, ordered disbanded.
The adjutant-general of the United States army was tele- graphed to this effect:
" In supplying our troops we require canteens and Merriam packs, which we cannot obtain elsewhere. Can United States supply these ? "
The answer to this, received in due course of time, was unfavor- .able.
May 11th.
The adjutant-general of the United States army telegraphed to the Governor as follows: "Secretary of war bids me to state to you this situation: There are a number of vessels leaving New York to-night, to-morrow and early Friday morning for Key West. It is desirable that, if one or two regiments of your state are thoroughly armed, uniformed and equipped with tentage, etc., for field service, they be placed en-route so as to reach New York in time to take advantage of these ships going south. It is thought that the men will be more comfortable than going by
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
rail, and as these ships are chartered by the day, just so much railroad transportation will be saved; but, unless your regiment or regiments can reach New York so as to be on board early Friday morning, it is not necessary to consider the proposition. Should you find that they can, you will place yourself in com- munication with Colonel Kimball, the depot quartermaster, Army building, New York, in order that he may perfect all arrange- ments for transportation from railroad to outgoing ships. Sec- retary of war will be obliged if reply by wire can be sent during the night, same to be addressed to adjutant-general whose office will be open until midnight."
The Governor received the following telegram from the Secre- tary of War, Honorable R. A. Alger: " It is now desired that two regiments of infantry of your state, as soon as mustered, armed and equipped, be sent to Tampa. Please inform me when it will be possible for your troops to move. If not fully equipped, but sufficiently so to travel, it may be considered best to have them go and complete equipments, etc., at Tampa. A detailed state- ment of the situation as to your troops is requested as soon as it is possible for you to give it."
May 12th.
General H. C. Corbin, adjutant-general of the United States army, telegraphed to the adjutant-general of the state: " It has been determined that the seventy-first New York volunteer regi- ment is the only one to go by transport to Key West."
And to the Governor of the state: "Secretary of war bids me . inform you, the United States mustering officers have been
instructed to report all regiments mustered into United States service, full name of colonel commanding, to what extent lacking in arms, ammunition, uniforms, clothing, equipment and tentage, and that from the moment of muster-in to United States service organizations will cease to be under the orders of state authori- ties and the orders for their disposition, transportation and sup- plies will be controlled by the war department alone. The colonels and commanding officers of separate organizations will
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-FIRST CALL.
be instructed by the mustering officer to report by telegraph to the adjutant-general of the army immediately after muster-in. Please acknowledge receipt."
May 13th.
The Governor of the state received the following telegram from the Honorable R. A. Alger, secretary of war: "Two regiments, infantry, your state, having been mustered into service, will be ordered to-day to proceed to Chickamauga. It is desired that the state authorities furnish all supplies possible in way of clothing. camp and garrison equipage and all appurtenances for a soldier in the field, including tents, which are much needed. On arrival at Chickamauga these troops, with those of other states, will be thoroughly equipped and moved to the front. This was found to be better than to attempt to thoroughly equip the regiment at the state rendezvous. Ordnance, quartermaster's and subsistence departments are concentrating at Chattanooga supplies to meet situation."
May 16th.
In response to an inquiry the following telegram was received from Brigadier-General Stanton, paymaster general, U. S. army:
" All volunteers accepted by the government will be paid from date of enrollment. Rejected recruits will receive no pay, but only transportation and subsistence from the place of enrollment to rendezvous and return."
In accordance with the directions of the Governor the adju- tant-general sent an inquiry to the honorable secretary of war to this effect: "Will the United States reimburse the State of New York, should the Governor decide to pay the volunteers of this state from the date of their enrollment to the date of their muster-in to the United States service?"
May 17th.
In response to telegram of the 16th, the following was received from the adjutant-general of the United States army: "United States will pay all accepted enlisted men from the date of enroll-
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
ment and officers from the date of muster-in, and will bear expense of transportation and subsistence only in cases of rejected recruits from place of enrollment to place of rendezvous and return."
Orders were issued that to each of the regiments about to enter, or already entered into the United States service, there will be allowed one additional major and three battalion adju- tants.
Brigadier-General Ludington, quartermaster-general, United States army, telegraphed to the Governor: "Please request colonels of regiments coming to Washington to inform this office by wire quantities, kinds and sizes of clothing and tents that troops from your state ordered to camp near Washington will require upon arrival at camp in addition to what they bring with them. Owing to unavoidable delay in obtaining large quantities required, organizations should come as fully equipped as pos- sible."
May 18th.
The following telegram was sent to General Ludington, quar- termaster-general, U. S. army: "The Governor is in receipt of your telegram of yesterday as to regiments going to Washington and would gladly comply with your request, but, as the War Department does not notify him when it orders regiments out of the state, nor where it orders them to, he is not able to do ยท SO."
And the following to the adjutant-general, U. S. army: "The Governor requests that New York regiments be not ordered out of the state before their commanding officers have rendered to him an inventory of the state property they take with them into the United States service."
Copies of the " Manual for Army Cooks," " Handbook of Quar- termaster's Stores " and " Manual of the Medical Department " were sent to the commanding officers of the volunteer organiza- tions of this state.
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-FIRST CALL.
May 21st.
The following telegram was sent to the honorable secretary of war, by the adjutant-general of the state: "Is it your decision that a squadron of cavalry is permitted to have a surgeon? Will you grant Governor Black permission to commission Dr. Leale, of troop A, as surgeon, N. Y. Volunteers? He is reported as having passed a very successful examination."
The reply to this, when received, was to the effect that two companies of cavalry could not be allowed an assistant surgeon.
May 26th.
The adjutant-general of the army telegraphed to the Governor: - "Secretary of war has decided that volunteer officers of the same grade rank according to muster into United States ser -. vice. When commissions of such officers bear same date, rela- . tive rank is determined by previous length of United States mili- tary service under commission, and in absence of such service, by lot. Secretary considers it very desirable that the commis- sions bear same date as muster into service."
May 27th.
The following was telegraphed to the adjutant-general of the army by the adjutant-general of the state: "The Governor regrets he did not know the wishes of the secretary of war sooner, as a few days ago he decided on the course to take in the matter of rank of colonels from this state."
May 28th.
The following inquiry was made for the Governor of the adjutant-general, United States army: " Has Governor authority to appoint a major for the two troops of the state now in the field?" The reply to this, received May 31st, was " there is no authority for appointment of major for two troops of cavalry."
The adjutant-general of the state telegraphed to the adjutant-
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.
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
general of the army as follows: "Mustering officers, Chicka- mauga Park, are reported to refuse muster-in of officers until they show commissions. The order of the Governor appointing them should be as good as a commission, otherwise there will be long delays."
May 31st.
The following was received by the adjutant-general of the state from General Corbin, adjutant-general, United States army: "It is regarded by war department unwise to muster officers of state regiments into United States service without commissions, in view of requirement of section 6, volunteer army act, and the rule governing musters in the late civil war. The rule is that the production of a commission is an indispensable prerequisite to muster-in and secretary of war is not inclined to set it aside."
General C. Whitney Tillinghast, 2d, sent the following tele- gram to all commanding officers of New York volunteer organi- zations: " If you have not forwarded pay rolls for state pay, do so at once. There is absolutely needed a report from each company, giving names of men rejected, date of their enlistment and of rejection, else they cannot be paid. Please be prompt about this."
June 1st.
The adjutant-general of the state telegraphed to the adjutant- general, United States army: "As regards muster-in of officers on commission only, the Governor desires to represent that an order from him appointing an officer is as good as a commission, and that officers without commissions have been mustered in on his orders at other points and times. It is not always prac- ticable to issue a commission to an officer immediately on his appointment, and not to muster him in puts an unnecessary hard- ship on the officer."
June 2d.
The following was received in reply from the adjutant-general of the army: "The appointment of an officer by the Governor should secure his muster. This is authority for the mustering officer's guidance."
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-FIRST CALL.
June 3d.
The adjutant-general of the state was still receiving reports that mustering officers failed to muster-in officers, and the fol- lowing letter was addressed by him to the adjutant-general of the U. S. army :
" SIR :- I have the honor to confirm and add to telegrams sent this day. The Governor would appreciate it if orders were issued so that, on presentation of an appointment from him to a commissioned officer, that officer could be properly mustered in at each or any of the national encampments. This will avoid requests to you which in your overburdened state should be a relief."
Finally, under date of June 17th, a telegram was received by him from the War Department as follows: " Instructions tele- graphed commanding generals of all army corps to recognize appointments of Governor of New York as equivalent to commis- sion."
As the military department of the state has been criticised in regard to the delay in paying the men of the New York organiza- tions entering the United States service, attention is called to the telegram sent by the adjutant-general of the state, under date of May 31st, to the commanding officers of these organiza- tions, and to two telegrams to two regimental commanders sent June 9th and 10th, respectively, and which are quoted here:
" If your pay rolls are correct from day of enrollment, showing those mustered in and those rejected, with additional pay allowed for long service to men of this state, send them by quick delivery or express to paymaster-general, S. N. Y., New York city, imme- diately. The state is more anxious to pay than is easily imagined, but the law will not permit it until complete and correct pay rolls are submitted. Please repeat these statements to other New York state commanding officers at your camp. We are now work- ing about thirty men endeavoring to correct vital errors made in pay rolls submitted by officers in the field," and
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
" Your telegram at hand. Not a single one of your company pay rolls was correct. We have corrected them here by muster- in rolls, and you will be paid as soon as the paymaster-general can get to you. You can say to any interested officer that there was not a single pay roll in the state of New York that was cor- rect. Publicity should be given to this as a matter of fairness to pay department."
June 15th.
Brigadier-General James McLeer, 2d brigade, was relieved from special duty at Brooklyn.
June 17th.
Brigadier-General Howard Carroll, chief of artillery, was placed on special duty in connection with a tour of inspection of the volunteers of this state then in various camps in the south. His report on his return was rendered to the commander-in-chief.
Under the orders of the war department as to constitution of regiments, a regimental adjutant, a regimental quartermaster and a regimental assistant surgeon held the grade of a first lieu- tenant and there were but two majors and no battalion adjutants allowed. Under the military code of the state there are allowed three majors and battalion adjutants for regiments of twelve companies, and the grade of a regimental adjutant, regimental quartermaster and assistant surgeon is that of captain. As soon as the act of Congress, approved April 22, 1898, was promulgated and the purport of section six brought to the attention of the adjutant-general of the state, proper commissions, with grade as provided by the state code, were issued to these officers. The part of the section of the act referred to, applicable in this case, is as follows: " Provided further, that when the members of any company, troop, battery, battalion or regiment of the organized militia of any state shall enlist in the volunteer army in a body as such company, troop, battery, battalion or regiment, the regi- mental, company, troop, battery and battalion officers in service with the militia organization thus enlisting, may be appointed by the governors of the states and territories and shall, when so
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-FIRST CALL.
appointed, be officers of corresponding grades in the same organization when it shall have been received into the service of the United States as a part of the volunteer army."
This, being an act of Congress, modified the orders of the war department and the orders based upon them as they related to national guard officers who came under this provision.
As there were, however, mustering officers who declined to muster-in the officers in the increased grade, the following letter was addressed to the honorable secretary of war by General C. Whitney Tillinghast, 2d, adjutant-general, and copies of it were furnished to the commanding officers of the New York volunteer organizations:
July 8th.
"SIR :- I have the honor to call your attention to section 6, of the act of Congress, approved April 22, 1898, entitled: 'An act to provide for temporarily increasing the military establishment of the United States in time of war and for other purposes.'
"This section provides ' that when the members of any com- pany, troop, battery, battalion or regiment of the organized militia of any state shall enlist in the volunteer army in a body as such company, troop, battery, battalion or regiment, the regi- mental, company, troop, battery and battalion officers in service with the military organization thus enlisting, may be appointed by the governors of the states and territories and shall, when so appointed, be officers of corresponding grades in the same organi- zation when it shall have been received into the service of the United States as a part of the volunteer army.'
" Upon the first call of the President this state furnished twelve regiments, all taken from its national guard, the organized militia of the state.
" The military code of the state provides that among the field and staff officers of the regiment there shall be three majors; one regimental adjutant of the grade of captain; three battalion adjutants of the grade of first lieutenant; one regimental quarter- master of the grade of captain; three battalion quartermasters of
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
the grade of first lieutenant; one commissary of subsistence of the grade of captain; two inspectors of small arms practice, one of the grade of captain, the other of the grade of first lieutenant; two assistant surgeons of the grade of captain. The Governor did not appoint battalion quartermasters nor inspectors of small arms practice, but did appoint the regimental adjutant and regi- mental quartermaster and the assistant surgeons; and he is informed that these officers, who under the state law hold the grade of captains, are mustered in as first lieutenants, while, as he is credibly informed, like officers of other states have been mus- tered in according to their state rank.
"Governor Black directs me to bring this matter to your notice, knowing that, as soon as you will be made aware of this violation of the act of Congress, you will issue the necessary orders to rectify this error and cause the regimental adjutants and quartermasters and assistant surgeons of the twelve regi- ments furnished by this state to be mustered in as captains.
" In connection with this matter, I am also instructed to call your attention to section 55, S. O. 155, headquarters of the army, A. G. O., July 2, 1898, which musters out Frank B. Edwards, on the ground of having been at first erroneously mustered into the said regiment as battalion adjutant.
"As stated above the state law provides for battalion adjutants, the first regiment was organized as a national guard regiment and the Governor fails to see the justice of the action taken in mustering out this officer, and therefore requests that this order be revoked and the officer ordered to join his regiment."
July 9th.
The adjutant-general of the state telegraphed to the adjutant- . general, U. S. army, on the same subject as follows: " The twelve regiments furnished are national guard organizations. It has been brought to the notice of the Governor that regimental adjutants and quartermasters and assistant surgeons have been mustered in as of grade of first lieutenant, while the state law
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-FIRST CALL.
makes them captains. They have commissions as such now, and Governor Black requests that the act of Congress be complied with and those officers be re-mustered in proper grade. The law of the state provides for battalion adjutants, and one of the first regiment was discharged July 2d. The Governor requests that the order discharging this officer be revoked and that battalion adjutants be allowed to these regiments in accordance with the act of Congress."
PROPERTY ISSUED IN APRIL AND MAY, 1898.
During the months of April and May there were issued by the chief of ordnance to the organizations entering the United States service, the following:
Ordnance Stores.
Springfield rifles, cal. . 45.
2,875
Headless shell extractors.
2.875
Springfield screw drivers
2,875
Tumbler punches
1
Instruction books
102
Front sight covers
50
Tumblers 100
Main springs
50
Colt's revolvers, cal. . 38.
15
Revolver holsters, cal. . 38.
15
Colt's revolvers, cal. . 45
26
Revolver holsters, cal. . 45
26
Revolver screw-drivers
20
Rifle M. B. cartridges, cal. . 45
3,600
Revolver M. B. cartridges, cal. . 38.
4,000
Revolver M. B. cartridges, cal. . 45.
2.000
Woven cartridge belts.
931
Woven cartridge belt plates.
931
Cartridge boxes
2.870
Waist belts
2,741
Waist belt plates 2,741
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
N. C. officers' swords. 2
N. C. officers' sword-frogs
2
Merriam packs
1,359
Haversacks and straps.
2,086
Canteens
1,927
Canteen straps
1,173
Meat cans
4,446
Knives 5,898
Forks
5,634
Spoons
5,537
Tin cups
4,780
Quartermaster's Stores.
Overcoats
1,411
Uniform coats
35
Blouses
4,085
Trousers
4,122
Caps and devices
783
Campaign hats
6,015
Brown leggings, pairs
4,283
Blankets .
4,438
Ponchos
4,588
National colors, complete
1
State colors, complete
2
Snare drums
2
Snare drum slings
2
Fifes
2
Buzzacott cooking outfits
18
Medical Stores.
Surgeons' field cases.
3
Surgeons' orderlies' pouches
3
Hospital corps pouches
17
Hospital corps knives
1
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-FIRST CALL.
PROPERTY OF THE STATE TAKEN BY STATE ORGANIZATIONS INTO UNITED STATES SERVICE.
The two troops of cavalry and the twelve regiments of infantry raised under the first call were supplied by the state, and took into the United States service the following:
Ordnance Stores.
Springfield rifles, cal. . 45.
11,424
Springfield carbines, cal. . 45 181
Headless shell extractors 9,612
Springfield screw-drivers 9,548
Springfield vises
230
Tumbler punches
1,125
Instruction books
92
Wooden wiping rods
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