Morning journal and courier., 1882-09-05
CAMP HARMON,

NIANTIC. Conn.,, Sept. 4.
 The first day in camp is always one of con- fusion and little can be said that will interest the average reader. To-day being stormy, there are but few duties to be performed and news will be scarce. The rain had not reached here when we arrived, but at noon it
 was raining hard The men of the Second
 were under cover and seemed to care but lit
 tie about it.
 Go. D was the first company to report at
 the depot this morning, being but one minute
 late. Go. E arrived soon after, being fol-
 lowed by Go. F. Cos. B and c arrived with
 in fifteen minutes and the city battalion was
 ready to start. The arrangements for trans
 portation were very complete, and Quarter
 master Redfeld congratulated on his
 success in getting everything in working or
 der in his department.
 The camp is located the same as last year
 The quarters of the Governor and staff are
 on the right overlooking the whole field.
 General Smith and staff are on his left The
 Third regiment has the right of the brigade.
 The First has the second place and the Sec
 ond and Fourth occupy the third and fourth
 positions respectively.
 The Governors staff has not been ordered
 into camp for the week, as has been stated,
 but will come with His Excellency on Wed
 nesday. In view of the controversy which
 has lately taken place, the writer has ascer-
 tained that the members of the Governors
 staff were mostly present at Norwalk some
 staying only three days, others remaining the whole week. Governor Hubbard was ad vised by Generals Franklin and Couch to spend more than one day, which was to be devoted wholly to display, and see for him. self the actual condition of affairs. It was bought that as commander in cEief he should become more familiar with the details of ] camp life and by his presence stimulate the men to do better. In regard to the pay Gov ernor Ingersoll wished to go to camp and was ! willing to pay his own expenses, but did not l feel like asking his staff to do the same. He accordingly looked up the authorities and de- cided, as lawyer, that the staff could be ! called upon to do special duty and were en- | titled to suitable compensation for the same.
 The above facts were furnished by an of ! fcer who has been closely identified with the National Guard for several years and IS con- sidered excellent authority.
 This afternoon at 2:3O guard was mounted l and camp duty really began. Owing to the unsettled state of the weather full dress parade was dispensed with and an undress ! guard mount was ordered. It cannot be said ! that this ceremony was particularly credit able. The officers were evidently little rusty and did not seem to know what was ex- ! pected of them. We noticed an officer of l the First regiment who stood among the E spectators making signals to the officer and ! men detailed from that regiment, but they ! were evidently unnoticed. If the weather permits dress guard mount will take place l in the morning and it is expected that the 1 improvement will be very decided
 The men are rather unsettled as yet and the battalion drill of tho different regiments this afternoon was very fair. It was short l and the few movements which were attempt ed were well executed. Colonel Graham was | we'll pleased with the result of the first drill and says the men seemed anxious to do well. It was hard work to drill under the circum stances. Cos. A and G had to leave Water bury at five o'clock this morning and were six and half hours on the road. The men were tired when they arrived and could not req sonably be expected to perform their respec- tive duties with that alacrity which is notice able in all the movements of the Second. The work of the day closed with dress pa- rade at five o'clock which fairly well done. but not up to the standard.
 It is understood that @ military correspon- dent of a New York paper severely criticises ! the appearance of the regiments as they came ! into camp this morning. He spoke of some ! of the officers being in fatigue dress, others without gloves, and other minor points. The ! criticism was just. perhaps, but the day was ! stormy and it seems to be the intention of ] the brigade to do their work in camp instead ] of doing it on the way. Good, honest criti- cism stimulates mon to do better work, but as penalties cannot be imposed on citizen I soldiers which are expected in the regular 1 army, it is necessary to @ limited extent to urge them instead of compelling them to submit by harsh means.
 ! Lieutenant Colonel Leavenworth is the ! field officer of the day, and Lieutenant John Lane, of Go. D. is senior officer of the guard. l Lieutenant F. T. Lee, of the Grays, has been ! detailed for one of the officers of the provost ! guard for the week. Personally the boys l seem to be enjoying themselves, and are in good spirits. There many pleasant jokes on the train this morning. and all ap- peared to fully enjoy the prospect of a week ! under canvas Corporal c. E. Blunt has done \ the proud thing by the members of the ! 1 George H. Jennings being the recipients 1 of elegant silver flasks. The one l presented to Sergeant Draine is engraved with stack of guns and knapsack on one side, and on the reverse is the company mon- ogram. Accompanying the same was 8 fine set of tent utensils. The design on Corporal ! Jennings present is well executed mono l gram, the company pin and the words ''New Haven Grays" underneath. On the reverse l side is soldier on guard. Both feel under obligations to Corporal Blunt, and are more ! than pleased with their gifts.
 Following is the numerical strength of the different companies in the Second Co. A, 58; B, 51; c, 51; D. 4G E, 55; F, 43; G, 56; H, 43 ; I, 55 K, A. R. Hamilton Park Races. The entries for the races of the New Haven Driving association at Hamilton Park for to- day, tomorrow and Thursday are as follows FIRST DAY.
 2:50 Glass;