Campaign of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry / April 25-November 11, 1898

iladelphia horsemen. The battalion of State Fencibles, which formed a portion of the Sixth Regiment, marching in fours, came tramping into the Troop's street. Once

was their amazement, when, amid the drunks and disorderly prisoners turned over to their

a kicked knee. His place on sick report was taken by Private Rowland, who had been slightly ill for

City Troopers attended the Camp Alger Theatre, the tent for which had been pitched right at the foot of the company's street. The price at that popular resort was twenty-five cents for all seats, and the audience generally cont

f the American volunteers. A portion of the performance consisted of an exhibition of mo

ag you are figh

God we could get the chance!" and the immediate and tremendous cheer

all hands, and a strong rumor that the Troop was soon to go to Puerto Rico, failed to excite the interest that it would have a month before.

rill received both heels of the beast on his left thigh, the horse having succeeded for a moment in getting away from the bi

xcellent work culminated when Lieutenant Browning rallied the men. Standing in close order, they fired three volleys that produced long cheering from the crowd. About two minutes later an orderly rode over from General

ink, consisting of a pint of whiskey and sixty grains of quinine. The dose was shot down the animals throats from a great syringe

it was thought best for him to return home. Shortly after he had done so his sickness to

issioned major. Captain Jones held the longest record of any officer in the Pennsylvania State troops, and had served as a captain in the Civil War. As his commission did not arrive until after the squadron had left Camp Alger, hi

were in splendid condition, and the men felt that they could make a good showi

Troop to proceed forthwith to Newport News to take transports for Puerto Rico. Needless to say the camp was at once thrown into a thoroughly happy mood, and dozens of telegrams were sent notifying Philadelphia friends of the good luck of the Troop in securing active service, when full

he cars reached their destination. Instead of trying to find a camping ground that night, the men curled up in the cars and slept as best they could. In a pleasant spot on the coast, about two miles outside the cit

ctive list for years. He had just returned from a trip through Japan. He was anxious to r

y scores of friends who had reached the camp by that time. Promptly at the hour mentioned in the order the Captain marched his men down to the wharf, wh

und the camp all morning, had followed the Troop into the city and to the wharf, where they had shared all the discomforts of the situation. It began to rain, but they only laughed and refused to seek shelter. Not a mouthful had they eaten since b

Walking fearlessly through the crowd upon the dock, dodging under horses' heads and around mule packs, they brought the food to the cavalrymen, and even waited upon them. In the langua

e Troop to Newport News and report to General Fred. Grant. Captain Groome ordered the Troop to bivouac in the grass in front of the hotel for the night. There was a general rush f

edy way in which to embark the Troop. It was not easy work to make headway against the seemingly endless array of objections and red tape, bu

ey had been obliged to wrap their blankets about them and lay down to slumber in the midst of a damp grass plot under a cloudy sky, which threatened another downpour at any moment. With the exception of some prett

r horses and twenty mules. The Sheridan and Governor's Troop had not received orders to sail, and the members

as there taking on a great load of men, horses and mules. All was bustle and confusion. Within a short time the Troopers went aboard, and almost at once the vessel made ready to sail. Last words to the faithful friends ashore were shoute