Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1898 — ORDERED BACK. [ARTICLE]

ORDERED BACK.

Fifth Illinois Hrglment Shows Its Disgust at Not Being Allowed to Go to the Front. Chattanooga, Tenn., July 28. —A sorrier aud more disgusted lot of soldiers was never seen-than the men of the Fifth Illinois regiment when orders were received Wednesday to unload and return to Chickamauga park. The command had been extremely anxious to get to the front. All kinds of unsavory charges are being openly made against Col. Culver, the commanding officer, not only by privates but by subordinate officers. They claim that their regiment has been betrayed by Col. Culver, who represented to President McKinley that the regiment is not fit for active duty and on these representations the president relieved the command from going to Puerto Rico. The subordinate officers claim that the command is in very excellent condition and in splendid fightfug trim. As soon as the full situation dawned on the men to-day the greatest disorder prevailed and there was no semblance of discipline.. They left the ranks by dozens and scores and nearly a hundred members of the regiment left camp, most of them without leave, and came to the city. The morals of the rigiment are shattered and many of the men declare they will not longer serve under Culver. Efforts to restrain the men were unavailing. One man broke his grin over a tree and left the camp without leave.