Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-09-02
A DAY AT CAMP 10 WILLIAMS.
The People There-HOW they Live
and are Governed.

vas out the fernando road. la the
the houses were nearly all shut
ID, save now and then a negro shanty
whose occupants look as solemn as II s
The day of judgment was near at hand.
Some Of them we noticed sitting out In J
their little vine covered p%orticos engaged
10 reading a book, the Bible, doubtless,
and preserving a demeanot OF solemnlty
quite in contrast with their usual cheer
The few white people seen were
moving along the streets and roads as u
on some mission Of business or mercy.
Once outside Of the city we began to
meet evidences both Of life and Of death
life on the roadside Of the refugee from
the pestilence and the sables of the
hearse going to or from Calvary Cemete-
~, which lay on our route. The hearses
are attended by but lew carriages, and
the mourners look as If an excess OF be-
reavement had dried up the fountains of
tears. When death is on every hand, as
in time of a plague or Oh q battlefield
men lose the power of demonstrating
their grief. Among others we met re-
turning from the city Of the dead was
ex. Mayor John League, a man who has
displayed the noblest and most humane
traits Of character in the last few days,
now returning from the funeral of his
venerable mother, whom he obeyed in
his youth and honored and protected in
her old age. She died Saturday night at
the advanced age of 81 years.
On the right and on the left,
all the way, we saw tents and
houses full of people. The most
of these seemed to be comfort
abba aud quite cheerful, consider
ing the cause which drove them from
home. For the present they seem to
feel safe, and to be eupplied with the
necessities Of life.
Turning off the road some four miles
from the city just beyond the Preacher
Gus aud swift waters Of Noncopnah
creek we now came in sight Of a thick
wood on a slight rise, and entering this,
came suddenly upon the tented field OF
Camp 10. Williams. The place is ad
nirably located, well shaded, aud there
are three excellent springs near by which
furnish an abundance of water for all
purposes. The tents are well arranged
in o W so as to form streets and squares
and the grounds are kept we'll swept anc
in good order. Near the cestre we found
headquarters, with Col. Jno. +. Cam
eron in command, and at his post. A.
invitation to alight and to stay for dinner
was accepted. Several gentlemen from
the city were already present, and the
camp dinner, when set. was relished with
sharp appeiites. Some Of US, perhaps
all present, had tried camp life before
and found tho present situation an easy
one to accept. Colonel Cameron wal
one Of the coolest and bravest officers o
the Confederate army, and manages II
control and discipline the various ele
ments, thrown together in camp like 81
many soldiers. He is the right man il
the right place.
The different departments are filled a
follows: Captain William Gay, quarter
master; Mr.. Lemuel, L. Crisp and ". G
Shepherd, clerical assistants; Captain
Robert Lamb, commissary; Davi,
Hukill aud H. W.. Pierce, com
misssry assistants, DR., h, B. Ma
was the only medical officer on tn
8. ground, though Dr., 7. O. Somer'
Of Nashville, has lately gone on dut
there. The druggist is a young ma.
named Edward Duback, from Cincinnati
who is very competent.
The head nurse is DIR. o. Gormar
and the steward a colored man name
Wade. The camp is well differed, an
appears to be under a rigidly %eficieu
ad state of discipline. Ample food j
Al served, and oil can be comfortable
a they will. DR.. Nall and Captain Go
are perhaps the hardest worked men o
the ground, but camp life and fare agree
with them, and they both look bette
., than usual.
The hospital is located some distanc
away 10 some old houses where patienI
A' are made comfortable and we'll attende,
The last report shows nineteen deatl
in ten days number of patients treate,
{. 81; number new sick, 81; some of IL
sick are convalesceDt; most Of them wi
or get well. The fever does not propaga
a. in camp; all the patients had it in the
est systems when they went out. Some
cn the cases are light and yield TO trea
ment.
The total number Of tents up is &c
ast The Mcclellan Guards camped in
ng grove east Of the main camp number
.ey men able for duty and they are doir
good service. In an opposite directic
the Grays, numbering %, a
/, camped. They are q splendid Il
Of young men. The average pop
era l4tion Of the camp since it vi
Ter established has been $40. 1t ought
have been three or five times as mai
from THE start. This was the opinic
nv expressed by General Luke h, Wrigl
iod one Of the most efficient me-