New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-05
IN CAMP AT PEEKSKILL.
THE TWENTY-THIRD,s BAD LUCK.


COMPLAINTS ABOUT TILE CONTRACTOR WHO
FURNISHES THE FOOD.
IRON SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TILE TRIBUNE.l
NEw-YORK STATE CAMP OF INSTRUCTION, PICKS
KILL. July 4.-Bad luck has TO lowed the 23d Regi-
ment from the time they left their armory last
Saturday afternoon till now. On their march to
the boat a number of men were overcome by the
heat, and it was uncomfortabiy hot work for all of
them. the occasion disagreeably recalling the ter
rible Centennial Fourth in Philadelphia. Then
came pouring rain to give them damp welcome
to such Inequalities as their new camp had to offer
on their arrival here On Sunday morning, while
they at breakfast amateur cyclone de-
molished the mess tent, and some of the men mar
rowly escaped with their lives, while several
received bruises of greater or less severity.
To-day, the Fodrth which to have been made
memorable by the annual inspection of the reg
iment. was particularly distinguished by the per-
sistent rainfall, which began while the inspection
was still in progress and continued with intermit-
tent discomfort till night. To this category of dis
agreeable things must be added as last, but not
least, the unsatisfactory food and service at the
tent. And yet, to the credit Of the men be it
said, they have borne it all with a philosophic
spirit.
Had the day promised fair there would have been
large attendance there this afternoon not only Of
third but also Of the people Of Peekskill and its
vicinity. As 1t was when the assembly sounded for
the regiment to form for review, there q fringe
of civilians on two sides of the plaza. many
ladies' houoring the occasion with their presence.
The perfection of the egimenfs drill in the manual
of arms was briefly illustrated. and their steadness
and absolute unity of actOn-and of inactlOn as
wel-called forth the most enthusiastic praise.
When drawn uD in double file II curious To
watch the waving line of gray. white, black and
tan cOlOr-the gray being the trousers, jackets and
caps, the white the cotton gloves the black the
belts and the tan color ths< faces, which al
ready show the effect Of half weeks exposure
TO the sun. In the maDRuvres and evontl0ns as
well "a in the manual of arms the regiment showed
great proficiency: but in theiI step and action IN
field movements it was plainly evident that they
than OH the open field, with plenty of elbow
and leg room. Pmafore" airs were
played during the review, and the inspection
which followed under the direction of Inspector
General Oliver and Assistant InspectOr-General
Rodenburgh. The clouds which had threatened
rain all the morning made good their promise when
the inspection of companies was about half
finished. The cheerful alacrity with which
the partly drenched companies took a double
quick to their quarters when dismissed
was more amusing 10 a small and patient
band OF spectators, comfortably sheltered under
umbrellas, than II was TO the soldiers themselves.
This ceremony over, they went to dinner in tor
rent of rain and the first detachment, consisting of
Companies A, u, + and g, sat down on wet seats III
the dismanted mess house without even q sugges-
ton OF shelter to protect themselves the unsatis-
factory food which had been provided for them.
The money loss caused BY the blowing down of the
mess tent is stated to be 81 1900; the loss to
temper and cOmtOrt-aDd possibly to health-can-
not be estimated. 1t was necessary send To New
York for lumber to rebuild the tent in more sub
stantial form, and this lumber only arrived at 10
o'clock last night. This morning wOrkmen were
what the men speak of as the wOOdshed
in which they Will feed us," but the
rain in the afternoon forced the
carpenters to quit work. Much dissatisfaction is
expressed with the food furnished by the con-
tractor, who Is paid 30 cents for each meal and
who makes a clear profit on each meal. of the
officers said to ] HE tribune correspondent, of 36
cents The contractor has undOub, eddy la-
bored under many DISADVANTAGES but
do not grumble say that they would De thankful if
allowed to cater for themselves. As it is, as many
of them 90 to PeeksNll hotels and restau-
rants for a comparatively square NEAL while
others literally fee the colored walters In order
TO get decently served at the regular
mess table or else 1t sSG y tSs Parro@1e
thus doubles his profits ON the same man. 1t is
very evident that something will have to be done
to protect the gallant brooklyn boys from DIS
comfort tor which there Is no excuse III time of
peace, when camp Is within two hours OF New FORK
markets Incidental TO the mess muddle there has
been considerable trouble with the colOred walters
They paid S20a mouth and some of them struck
for S25. There is no doubt that they have 10
every cent they get by working from early one
morning till early the ext morning bnt they have
made IL point 10 make themselves as dsagTeeabe
as possible. Three or the rlngleadero among The
n
ternOon by squad of soldiers detailed to que1 the
riot.
IL is stated that the new mess shed will be under
within forty-eight hours; meantime the
officers and puyates Will be Obliged 70 eat IN
attachments IN the restaurant tent and on tables
which have been crowded. into the cook house.
Some of the officers did duty to-day rs walters Tor
the prIyates, and none OF the officers had their al
legged dinner till their men had been served. Some
of these officers SAID they would rather like to act
as walters while they remain, as this was the only
way in which they could get anything 10 eat. A
gannt and hungry, non-conmrssioned officer
said that while he mad no doubt il wa an honor
select the Twenty thIrd to open the state camp.
so far as he was concerned he most degoutly and
alphabetically wished that some other regiment had !
been selected for the foodcontractOr to practice
and to break in things generally
The figures of to-aay's Inspection make an adj
mirable showing. Last year, out OF 7,}2 members |
there were 66S present. and q absent, giving per-
centage OF 81 9I-3G3 to-day 667 present out /
OF 726 leaving only 80 absentees ana giving per- /
centagc of 81 3I7-363. Company Is had only one |
man absent out of SO. 80 anxious were the |
members of the regiment To make good showing |
that one who sails for Europe to-day |
answered to inspection rollcall, and there were /
many instances of special sacrifices made Tor the
same purpose. Acknowledgement Townsend and
Generals Oliver ana ROdenbOugh expressed great |
satisfaction with the appearance of the regiment
national salute of thirty eight guns was hired at
sunrise, noon and sunset under dIectoa OF General
" vie.
voted to the news and gossip of the State camp.
Ii is hoped TO finish the rifle range b. the last OF
the present week The use of all the carpenters on
the mess building has caused some additional delay
The General Inspector of Rifle Practice. A. &.
Barnes, started Tor New-York Tonight. Nearly 100
members OF the regiment took the tram home this
afternoon and evening. Some of them are on leave
of absence only, and will come back on Friday to
return home with their regiment on Saturday.
The Glee Club of Company ( serenaded General
Townsend last night in his quarters, and Colonel
ard returned thanks in behalf OF the AdJutant-
General. =,
n is now considered doubtful if Governor Cornell
will visit camp this week. either officially or I'M
officially. ,
Some of the officers of the 18th Regiment. who
will replace the 23d on Saturday next, were here
to-day, looking over the ground
A at z n'clnck and GrnMOrka the |