The Indianapolis journal., 1884-07-07
In CAMP AT GLEN MILLER.
Scenes in and About the Headquarters
of the Colonel Commanding.
The Sham Battle Pronounced the Most Inter
estiag Feature OF the Encampment--A
Very Large Crowd Present Yesterday.


CAMP GLEN MILLER, RICHMOND, July The
middle tent in the at the top of the hill is
where Colonel Ruckle, the commander makes
his headquarters. The west slope of the hill
which runs down to the glen, is covered with the
tents of the troops but turn toward the east and
you look out over the tombstones of the city
cemetery. in the quiet shade of his position
here between the camp Of the living ON
one side aud the eternal camping ground
on the other, the Colonel sits on his stool, gen
orally surrounded by small group Of officers,
giving his orders to the gallant looking young
men in soldiers clothes who approach hitn with
the military salute The strict discipline of the
camp irnpresses one with the idea that they are
playing soldierin earnest and it is not apparent
that there can be much amusement in the many
little tasks of hardship which are put upon
then The work is harder than they are ae-
custolnedto and at home they would not for
day tolerate the priyations and discomforts to
which they cheerfully submit in their camp
living However, this is soldering. Call 1T by
any other name and doubtless it would be in
tolerable. There are some mysterious things
about the place over at the corner Of the camp
ground where the rations are served 1t is
wholly unaccountable how the indianapolis
Light Artillery have fried chicken, Jersey milk
and ice cream brought out to them,
while the other soldiers are living
ona, scarce supply of beans aad cabbage. Itis
impossiBleto trace the matter further than TO the
black man who serves the food. He IS exclusive
ly in the employ of the Light Artillery, and it is
whispered that he has q very clear understand
ing of the relation between tip and q chicken
roost. The old soldier-ike quarrels over the
rations frequently occur. Cant spare any
thing; really haven't as much as we want our
selves" cried outa company commissary, when
a squad of new men are brought to his
tables, and he may be heard to remark
as they move on. You bet yeur life, we don't
give anything to those Sponges- Sometimes
soldiers rations mysteriously disappear before
he has much more than tasted them, and little
investigation may develop that soldier Ben, his
neighb0r, has possessed himself of a double sup
[ ply of beans.
! Under the bed over in the surgeons tent, there
is a large Dottle redolent with the odor of Ken
Jucky Bourbon 1t may be enptied
hundred times a day, but it is
said that it is as inexhaustible as
the springs down in the glen. There is q tent in
coal, sDrew's Saloon 1t has a lonely, deserted
look, and no ens can be found who can explain
the mystery which seems to surround the place
It is haunted, day and night. A notable con
occupied by the Richardson Zouaves,
over which is marked evidently by the
same piece Of charcoal and by the same
artist, 'aThe Happy Six" The tent adjoining
net drawn much patronage. The close relations
between the three tents arouses suspicion.
At any time during the leisure hours in camp.
down in the alley between the tents may be
found the young veterans who have cast aside
all the glory of their uniform. One is a fair
young man. and distinguishing feat
ure is his Sharpe nose, Opposite him
sits loqpacious youth with gold.
spectacles that reach back behind his ears. They
sit for hours gazing with intense interest at
their "hands, sometimes browning and some
times smiling. If q recent famous order In the
army should be enforced these brave young sol
diers would certainly feel moved to desert
The officers and soldiers all deny that
life in the camp has been monotonous
They have worked hard, and the
little leisure that they have had has been re
lief to them Life In Glen Miller during sum
mer, cannot under any ordinary circumstances
be dreary or wearisome. The man who cannot
be happy IN the beautiful rustic surroundings Of
its shades and sunshine has no love of nature
IN his soul
THE SHAM BATTLE.
The noise and hustle of soldering came yes
terday with the sham BATTLE which was a very
spirited engagement. It was the most interest
ing feature of the encampment to the public,
and drew quite a large crowd The troops called
,al,aly ,,,aro 49,, "a ~, AFa3o Tr.a1 q,
s.e isoe.s "ese " nAaJor 'osepn
llitt while Acknowledgment Carnahan was in
tla was On +he narado cro,,,,d bolo,, +ba III,
= ~ ~ ~ go sa0 ~" NnD iliii
cailea Iookoue mountain.
The engagement began with the skirmishing
of the Clinton and Hall Guards. The companies
.a,ara. A. ss.,.,,,a r....,.
'.lo oo0o.iu inuiana resilnenS anosee
ont into the Held IN battle line, with the Rich
sFpdson Z0uayeS in the center as the color com
amy Ta.a oa,,ro,,o sa;,, +Ia s1,;,,o;s,:,,,. a.
s-.o 4''1ils1liS' oie
chafges ol 1ite troops, Ins retreats ana the hnal
capture of the enemy were all condueted in q