Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-06

The Troops on the Ffeld-The Departure
 From This Ctty-The Work of the Week
 We'll COmmenced-Governo Bigslow's
 Arrival The Groton Centennial To-
 Day-The Plan of the sham Ffght-The3
 Assaulting and Defending Parties
 Cautfonary The Orat1on-A Dinner,
 Etc.
 CAMP B1aELow,
 Monday, Sept 5. 1881. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 The city companies assembled in front of Union Armory about eight o'clock this morn- ing and marched through Chapel, Church, George and State streets to the depot, where special train was in waiting to convey the boys to Mantle. Companies I and K were waiting, and upon the arrival of the city bat talion the train started As we passed through Fair Haven, Chief Brown, of the Fair Haven fire department, fired salute The regi- mental band was highly complimented, and the new drum major, in his bear-skin hat, seemed to handle the baton with the grace of veteran in the business.
 The absence of Captain Brennan was re- gretted, and many kind words were spoken for him. Lieutenant Colonel Bacon was missed, and the news that he had relapse was received with much regret.
 At GuiIford and Clinton the platoons of artillery were taken aboard, and at Saybrook Company H joined us. Adjutant Elliott and Commissary Sergeant Pearne also joined the regiment at this point.
 We arrived at Mantle about 11:3O, without further incident. The arrangements for transportation reflect great credit on Captain Stevenson, of the brigade staff, the superin- tendent of the Shore Line division.
 The attendance is excellent, and the num- Der of men in the different companies is as follows:
 E, 6l; Co. F. 50 O. G, 50 Co; H. as; Co 61 Co; K, 52- The platoons of artillery are composed Of about 40 men each.
 The Third regiment has the right. The Second is next the Third, the Fourth is next in line and the battery is on the left. The Second regiment report about 600 men in camp the Third 435 men and the Fourth 455 against 624 two years ago.
 The situation of the camp is unsurpassed, and Major Bissell, the efficient surgeon of the Second, sees no reason why the general health of the men should not be excellent.
 Brigadier General Smith and staff are on the right of the camp near the quarters of the Governor and staff. These quarters com- mand an unobstructed view of the parade ground, and it is unnecessary to state that visitors will be well entertained. Dinner call was sounded about 12:3O, and the boys were quick to respond. The ar- arrangements for catering seem to be excellent.
 At 2:3O guard mount took place, Captain Leavenworth of Go. being officer of the day, and Lieutenant Colonel King of the Third regiment field officer of the day. Brigadier General Smith has been in camp since last Saturday evening and is devoting considerable attention to details, being de- terminsd that the present encampment shall be creditable one in every respect. Dress parade occurred at 4:3O and passed of very creditably. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Fourth regiment and all the mounted officers in camp proceeded to the depot to meet Governor Bigelow and staff, who came on the Newport express, arriving | at 5:45. The Second and Third regiments and the battery received the gubernatorial l party on the grounds and the battery fired l the Governors salute of eleven guns. Gen l eral Smith welcomed his excellency to Camp Bigelow.
 The programme for tomorrow (Tuesday) | is about as follows: The battery and horses | leave for Groton at six o'clock The first
 
 ! the First regiment, will leave at GRO. At 7:3O | the Second and Fourth regiments will de- part. At S:3O the movement commences at \ New London. The attacking force will be | under the command of General Smith and will consist of the Third regiment. Four l companies of the Third regiment, under 1 command of Major Bentley, will represent ! the British. Tho Third regiment will cap- 1 ture battery at Point Nonsense and will be ! assailed at different points along the line \ proceeding they will capture Fort Manwar- Il ing further on. The battery is sent to New London and pass over the same route as the BritiSh. The houses which were burned by \ the British will be represented by fires. The battery will be stationed at Fort Post Hill end | there will be occasional firing at the ship ! ping and Fort Griswold opposite The | Third regiment will cross the river and join \ the regiments which havo gone before; at the ! same time the First regiment will arrive from | Hartford and rendezvous at Groton. The i assault on Fort Griswold will be made at Il l o'clock. The First and Third regiments will attack the north side of the fort, personating the Fortieth British regiment. The Second and Fourth regiments will attack the south N side, representing the Fifty-fourth British regiment. At 12 o'clock national salute I will be fired. The troops will remain while General Hawley delivers the address. At I 3:30 parade of about an hours duration ! will take place in New London, and during \ LQC pdraO0 u uldrCQ1uS SaIuG0 VIII De G6nQ6feO to General Sherman. dinner will be fur nished at o'clock by the Groton centennial | committee.
 ! The men seem to feel a little nervous on account of the liability of accident to-mor- ! row. It is to be hoped that all the men will l keep perfectly cool under fire. The new men may get excited and fire their guns in close proximity to others in the ranks. Every precaution is taken to guard against acci dents and if attention is paid to orders noth- ! ing unfortunate can occur.
 | Lieutenant George Lawrence, of Go. D, has been appointed provost marshal for the week.
 Major Waldron is on hand, and as usual is the life of the party in which he happens ' to be.
 The first day in camp has passed of very smoothly. The various duties and ceremon- ies have been fairly performed, and the work | of the week has started we'll R. The GrOton Programme. e..