Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-16
UNUSED TO GUARD DUTY.
WHY THE CADETS QUIT CAMP
ENDICOTT.


What They Say About Their Trip and
Their Reception at Mobile and New
Orleans-They Denounce the Manage
Inent of the Crescent city Camp in
pain Language and Call the Drill a
Fizzle.
The Savannah Cadets were back at their
old posts yesterday. They all looked well,
and said that they felt so after the twelve
day-trip. Taking it all through they had
a COED time. They are more brown than
when they went away, the hot sun having
tanned their hands and faces eifectually.
Their stay at Mobile was almost contin-
uous picnic.
They say that everything needed could
be purchased on the grounds. Every
member bought himself "A cot, and with
blankets aud tents, camp life did not go
so bad. The food was not as good as it
might have been. but they anticipated
some few hardships. The drills caused
the greatest enthusiasm. The weather
was extremely not. The thousands Of
people who daily crowded the parade
ground, the competing companies in their
different uniforms, and the band of over
100 pieces, all combined to make the scene
a memorable one.
Their defeat Is taken philosophically.
While all admit that errors were made
blame is attached to no one. 1t is said
when the Cadets appeared on dress
parade one of the judges ironically asked
if each man had made his suit at home.
The poorly fitting suits are believed to
have lost the company several points.
Individual members would like TO see
the score. In the "maiden" contest the
Cadets made a very favorable impression.
II was generally believed that they would
get first or second prize. They sold
tayorites in the pools until the prizes
We're announced.
Tney did not expect to get a place in
the big drill. but were much pleased to
beat companies in it mat had defeated
them in the "maiden" drill. They proved
very popular and made hosts of friends.
The Montgomery Blues were especially
sociable. ana rendered the Cadets a hearty
invitation to visit Montgomery.
Ii cannot he said that tho Cadets were
as well pleased with New Orleans as with
Mobile. 1t is the prevailing opinion that
the invitation to visit the Crescent City
was part of a speculative scheme backed
by half IA dozen individuals. The Cadets
were told that they would be quartered at
the gates of the exposition. lust nd they
were sent out to Fort Endicott, nine miles
from the exposition grounds. Their ply
stefan advised them 10 leave at once. The
ground was low, and is flooded every time
there is a heavy ram.
The day after they arrived Capt. Branch
was called u0ou for six men for guard
duty. At Mobile they were exempt from
TINS, the duty being performed by the
companies that did not drill. Two or
three of the companies are said to have
refused to obey the order of the Adiutant.
He made himself decidedly obnoxious by
unnecessary dIspiuliup.
The sentries We're on duty four hours
and off two for "a hours. They were re-
CURED to walk to and fro in the broiling
sun and guard an imaginary line. Pass
ports were required to get ont of camp.
Water was scarce, and the boys bad to
"chip in" and buy ice. The ratIOns were
worse than at Mobile. Three of the
Cadets were sick, two had gone home,
and six were exhausted from guard duty
when the drill BEGAN. They had only four
reserves. and therefore determined not to
enter a team. In the formation for dress
parade the Cadets, Busch ZOuaves and
Auburn Cadets were left out.
Being thus ignored they concluded to
leave, and Capt. Branch soon gave them
orders to pack up.
They were very much pleased with the
exposition and are glad that they visited
New Orleans, but they are sour on the
drill, which they term "iizzle.'