Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-09-09
On the Tented Field.
CAMP ALExAgDgg HAYES, |
SEPTEMBER Z, 1880. !

soeeIst correspopdenee of the CFxTRE DEnocRAr.
To day has developed for the large ma
jority of the members Of Company ID, the
first actual experience they have bad a.
members of the Pennsylvania National
Guard. While all this pageantry lacks the
actual solemnity and seriousness OF imPer-
alive duty, the strict regard for forms ana
the rigid diciplinc impartially enforced
carry with them many restrictions. The
State IL certainly lavish in It's care for the
comfort and convenience Of the men whom
she will depend upon TO throttle domestic
instruction and protect inviolate her in
visible borders. The tents furnished al
ford ample accommodation for four men
and these, with liberal supply Of gum
and wooen blankets, enable US 20 make our
quarters not only habitablc but almost
luxurious. As the impressible Van Pelt
expressed 1t after we had completed our
arrangements, we'll have better beds
here than we have at home" The ride
out was uneycniful, the company coming
directly through on the same car in which
they embarked at Bcllefontc. The Penn
sylyania Railroad came in for many com
plimentary remarks in consequence OF the
elegan. car they placed at our disPosal.
1t was finely upholstered and lighted by
three chandeliers and was altogether the
most elegant OF any in the large train
which brought the 5th Regiment to camp.
| Your correspondent was ushered at once
into the arena of military discipline by be-
| ing placed on guard at the rear end Of the
car. This was far from unpleasant until
the boys made an attack ia force upon
their plethoric haversacks, and then he
experienced the fret Inconvenience Of his
five years term of service. Although
almost famished, military etiquette forbade
so indecorous aRerformsnee as eating and
bad it not been for the kindness Of the
corporal Of the guard, who generously
relieved me, the nangs Of "a most acute
hunger would just have run riot with my
internal anatomy, until in the regular or
der OF. military procedure ! was returned
TO the ranks The darkness OF the
night prevented the men from viewing
the most magnificent panorama Of noun
tain scenery in the State, as well Is
I.;he greatest triumph of engineer
ing sklli to De f",.-., ,,b,-. &, A,,o,ic.
have passed over these H. -. r..
the lofty peaks Of this spur Of the An.
ghenies were bsthed in the lambcnt light
Of mellow moon, and the impression WA
one that time can never efface. All tha,
IL majestic and imposing in mountain
scenery is cncompassed within the ride
from Tyrone TO Pitpburg, while one il lost
in wonder and awe at the genius which
climbed these heights and bound their
lofty brows with bands Of iron. Last
night oil was wrapped in impcneirsb!c
gloom which was only relieved bv the
lurid glare Of the mighty for.cs at JOHNS.
town, and the innumerable coke kilns
which dot this road with lines of FIRE. A.
this was the initial military baptism of tho
greater portion Of the company, the men
were naturally boistcrous and many and
wild were the scenes enacted between
Bellefonte and Braddock. Cam Burnside
posed a. a musical director, Ia Max Mar.
eizek, and led cmbryotic Brignolis and
Castles In boisterous song. The burden of
the refrain appeared TO be sn aTraignmen,
Of Moses for being absent from the post Of
duty "when the light went out" There
was no sleep for the weary eyes, and the
imprecations, which ever and anon burden.
ed the smoke ladened atmosphere Of the
car were sulphurous in their intensity
But they were of no avail, and the rioters
defantly refused 10 take up their quarters
in the tropical country 10 which they were
verbally consigned every few minutes
We arrived at our destination about two
o'clock in the morning but remained in
the car until five, when the entire reei.
ment disembarked and took up its line Of
march 10 the ground selected for our
location. Hear we found the 10th and
18th regiments and knapp's battery already
eneamped. The hours of the morning
we're spent in putting our quarters In shape.
and now we present an appearance second
to none upon the field. Our camp is 10.
Gated upon rising country bordering on a
beautiful grove, and our white tents facing
/ tteaNf NaSeh rAtttee haNt "a picturesque pf-
feet with their rich back ground OF dark
green. The other regiments composing
the different brigades are arriving RAPIDLY
and are getting promptly into position
About three thousand are here now, and
by tomorrow morning ell will be on hand
and then will commence the serious work
which Is before US. That this will be no
cbild's play will be apparent when tell
you that reveille sounds at sunrise. Roll
call at $50, breakfast at G. 80, sick call !. 80
guard mounting $50, company drill $50
TO 1l.30, dinner II NJ, battalion drill 2 10
$50, dress parade o'clock, P. NJ, supper
at 9, retreat at sunset, tattoo 3 O'Clock.
and taps and lights out 10 O'Clock.
This you will perceive pretty effectuallv
disposes Of the working hours of the day
and leaves little time for the lighter pleas
ures Of the camp. II rained this morning
for few moments, Sht Is now eloar and