The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-22
The Encampment.

receiving special mention from General
Reece, and many regular army officers
who were on the ground.
The boys found it hard work TO come
down to camp life and army discipline, but
after the first day, took naturally to the
routine and ate their rations with a keen
relish. 4 feature of the Rodmau Rifles
camp was 'Black Bob" the cook, dusky
citizen of Decatur, who was gobbled by
Sergeauts Abel and Rodman for company
cook. This bronzed caterer became very |
much attached to the company and was
very faithful. 1t was amusing one after |
noon to see Bob" with gun and accoutre-
ments, standing guard oyer the tents OF
the Rifles while the boys we're out on the
brigade review. He was proud of the
boys and iu turn was we'll treated by every
member of the company.
The finest display made was the march
through the principal streets of Springfield
and there the Rodmans did their best.
Marching by platoons, single rank, the
wheehngs were perfect, and frequent
applause greeted the splendid marching.
The boys, however, kept their heads erect,
marched steadily, oblivious to the ap-
plause, mind intent on the great object IN
Iy,ey-making good record for the com
p2uy.
sine batsIion glee club won many we'll
earned encoDiums, and by their excellent
singing, made themselves in demand even
receiving an invitation from the governor.
The second eVsuing the glee club and
band sercnaded General Reece and sang,
until physically unable to respond to the
encores received The reception accorded
the glee club was duly appreciated by the
officers and men of the battalion,
Speaking o. the glee club the Monitor
says:
They serenaded Brig Gen. Relco, then
Adiutapt Ger. billiard, then Gov. Cqiiom,
at whose foe residence they were hoSpit-
ably entertained. They sang 10 the rotun-
da of tie Capitol and at the Leland House,
, and the people would hardly let them &c
, away.
There gas the usual diversities from
camp routine, and many we're the jokes
played on each other by the boys. The
blanket shaking up process vas resortcd
to frequently ard woe to the skulker, Oh
: sneak thief caught 10 camp. 1t made n(
difference how much they begged. the tos
L. . hoi rIn hla
t ment. This sort OF sport, was however
confined to the 9Th and 18th regiments.
The discipline enforced vas strict, anG
I will do much to im prove the standard o
e the companies comprising the brigade.
s The l4th battalion is composed at pres
snt OF fva companies, four of which were
present-Companies A and B Of Mo
line, the Rodman Rifles and Company
i G of Morrison. The last named com
l. pauy has had very little opportunity tt
d drill. and considering the Disadvantages i
has had to contend with. the showing i
made was very creditablo 1t is we'll of
foercd; Capt.Fay, and Lieutenants Quack
e enbush aud Worral being we'll calculated
/ to bring up the standard of the company
Sergeant Richtmeyer, is a well drilled
gentlemanly non-com missioned officer sn(
ably assists the officers of Company c il
making first class company.
The Springfield Monitor referring 10 tn
:. encampment says
The 18th Battalion is an excellent mill
b. tary organization, and very efficient in al
q the requirements of a modern soldier
y Tits is the battalion which contains tn
4 ''Rodman Rifles" a company which ha
during the week attracted much favorabl
attention.
= TIE Journal writing up the decision 0
the judges says:
The Fourteenth battalion, as a whole
IS was the best command in the camp, 70
X discipline, drill and general appearance
"a Two of the judges pronounced the Sevent
regiment second, the third expressing tn
u opinion that it twas difficult to decid
~ between that and the Eighth but all agree
" log that the Eighth was third, ard tn
ID Fourth next. The Fifteenth was next an
- the Fifth Regiment next.
~ As to the merits of companies the Rod
mdu A'ueS was ITououbceO tue pest III a
IS respects.
st This judgment was formed simply an
,, solely from the appearance, the behavic
aud reports Of the commands named. til
as circumstances, age, experience, etc, of to
officers and men not being EcoWn or con
sdared
During the encampment Col. ".
OF Butler was presented with a handsom
y sword on the part of the battalion, the pre-
ne sentation being made by Capt. Fay, of tn
Morrison company.
The success which has attended the ] At
~ battalion. is largely due to the disciplin
10 camp, aud on dEiI! and dress parade
g and for the general ydeportneGt, of tb
" members.
Lieutenant john Rodman. of the 20:
- U. s. acted as adiutant of the batallio
- and was the finest appearing, best drille,
- and sodieri7 looking officer on the ground
The boys of Company D. (Rodmal
Rides) adopted little "Dode" Hawes,
sweet little child of Capt. HAYES, a
: daughter of the company The adoption
was unanimous aud hearty. Mrs Have
who accom- panied the captain to camp, wa
cOurteousIy treated and eheered. Thi
lady said she wanted to see how the boy
Jared away from home, and partook of thl
' coffee, unbuttered bread, and other delica
InSo 81 boa