The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-16
THE DAY IN CAMP.

dents of the Day.
Yesterday was a glorious day at Camp Morton.
The first company to appear in the State drill
for the ZOuave prize was the Dick Thompson
ZOuaves, of Terre Haute, Captain c. L. Feltus.
This company numbers tifty-siX men, but ap-
peared in line with twenty-five men and two
officers the first lieutenant being j. A. Ander-
son. The members of this company are trim,
well-built young mon, varying in age from seven
teen to thirty years, the average being twenty
two years. and average height five feet eight
inches. When it Is taken into consideration that
this company was organized last March, and has
only drilled three months, not receiving their
guns until the middle of June, their perform
ance was truly wonderful, and a high
compliment to the men, well as to the
industry of the officers. The ZOuaves formed
stars, crosses, triangles, squares, cross obques,
labarynths, sit-in-circles, and numerous other
fancy figures peculiar to the zouave drill and
which ELECTED the warmest applause from the
most discriminating spectators. The bayonet
drill was especially good, while the foot move
ments were given i'll good time and good dis
tance.
The Zouaves were followed by the Indianapo-
lis Light Infantry, Captain James r. Ross, Lieu
tenants Mckee and Scott, and as the boys came
upon the parade ground there was long and en-
thusastic hand-clapping. The company was
dismissed ana reformed by the sergeant in fine
form. In the manual by the numbers there
were some individual errors, but generally
the manual was excellent. The fix and unfx
bayonets was unusually good. In the manual
without numbers the company exceled any
drill they have made heretofore.
In stack arms" one four did not
complete their stack in time The firlngs were
oil tba firoi ,x,a hail IL
ed by the audience. The marching In line and
in column of fours especially good. In the
drill by platoons, in one movement, the platoon
distance might have been better, but the platoon
drill was very good. The chief point of interest
in the State programme was the skirmisn drill.
This portion of the drill was especially notice
able, and the old ''vets' duly appreciated it.
While the result of the judges score cannot be
given at this date, it is generally conceded that
this company have taken the first place.
The Miller Grenadiers of Richmond, who were
to have drilled yesterday in the State drill will
drill this morning at 10 O'Clock.
At few minutes before O'Clock the head Of
the Grand Army of the Republic procession ap-
peared upon the grounds, and as the national sa-
lutte, thirty-eght guns, fired by the artillery
regiment passed in. review before Governor
Porter and staff. The Governor and the old
soldiers then repaired to the Exposition building.
where he spoke as follows:
GOVERNOR PoRTER's ADDRESS.
Veterans-A large number of the citizens Of
this State, and not few from other States, have
assembled here to engage in competitive mill
taIy exercises to prepare themselves for the du-
ties of soldiers. They have naturally desired to
nave with them, as spectators of these exercises,
you, whom the time of your ceuntry's greatest
peril, helped to preserve it. And you are here
to-day, in numbers like the pillows of the many
waved The State 9OldierV here assembled
remember wildly your services, and will be
quickened and inspired by your presence You
Will, also, | am sure, be satisfied from their pro-
ficiency IN drill and the spirit that shines
through them. that they will be fit to meet any
rational emergency.
You look a little older than when a few years
ago, to the sound of drum and fife YOU CALAMITY
mai ahed to meet the foe. But, If may so speak,
the game favor still remains with you. You
might not march so briskly into action you did
then, but 1t would be found that the steady nerve
and staying qualities abide.
This city, in which most OF you enlisted, has
greatly changed since you were enrolled here as
soldiers Little is left to show where the old
camps were. Handsome dwellings, beautiful
lawns have taken their place, W hope that you
will not on that account feel strange, for there
is not lot in the city of which you have not
added to the value.
We welcome you to the encampment. On be-
half of the State welcome you to the capital;
and extend a special welcome to the soldier of
1872 three and ninety years of age, whO hOnors
us with his presence,
dare say that whatever may be the attrac-
meeting one another and talking over the Incl
dents of army life. AS the circle of your COM
RACES Is FROM year 10 year reuuceo your aHeo-
ton deepens for those who survive, and time
seems TO freshen rather than to efface the
memory OF the incidents of war.
More than has ever fallen to the lot of soldiers
you have been fortunate-fortunate in the sue
cess of your cause; fortunate in having removed
the causes which might produce future strife;
fortunate that even your adversaries have found
that i'll the guise of foes you were friends. In
deed, except In the failure of their arms, 1t s
doubtful if they did not get the best of it. What
ever advantages you may have secured-the
restoration of the Union, the strengthening Of
liberty-they share equally with you. A new
life followed your footsteps upon their soil; new
Industries sprung up; occupations became diver
sitied, and the new South has entered upon a
career of unexampled prosperity.
Under the administration OF the Pension Office
by our gallant Colonel Dudley, | am happy to
say hat the claims of pensioners are being more
promptly examined and paid off than ever be-
fore. The sum is great, but 1t bears little pro-
portion to the magnitude OF the service. When
these pensions shall have been discharged, the
first installment only of nations gratitude will
have been paid.
But have been put forward only to welcome
you. Others are here-your old companions in
arms-tO address you. Here Is your cid COM
rade, General Manson, rugged "A rock, a SOL
der of two wars, who helped to bring a good
deal of territory, aud then had to fight again to
keep it from being taken from us. Here, TOO, is
General Coburn, who, it is said, always liked a
fight best when 1t was hottest. Here, too, some
where, understand, in this crowd, is our friend
General Bennett, who sometimes tries to per-
suade people who look at the surface merely
and do not pierce to the core. that he is angry
and fierce, but who is as gallant a Rupert and
as tender and gentle as a woman
But on this ground, which bears his name, we
may not omit to mention one who is not here
Morton is not here. His bodily presence is not
here, but Morton Is here in the memories that
cluster around this spot and in the imperishable
remembrance of his services.
At the conclusion of the Governors address,
General Mahlon d. Manson, who,it was apparent
hxr IA w ha
feet needed no introduction to that assembage
of old soldiers, said he merely rose to explain a
matter that appeared in Denver, Col, paper
and had been given some circulation ypapers in
this State. He referred to the charge made in that
paper that the representatives. sent by the Grand
Army of the Republic of Indiana had not paid
their board bills They mad agreed to nav three