The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-15

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ing itself in the flesh of his shoulder.
Gen. Fitz.Smons invited a number of the
Ottawa people to headquarters on Thursday
night where an informal military reception
was extended the citizens committee.
The camp was named in honor of the la
mented COL Weller, late of the First Caval-
ry At the head of the officers mess table
turned plate and vacant chair marked his
absence.
The FREE TRADER scribe messed with Co.
C of the First on Wednesday night and was
royalty entertained by the members, wto
entertained the Rockford Rifles also on that
evening.
Many bouquets from the sweethearts Of d
Co. of tn. Fourth found their way to the
tents. Generally the fair donors accompa-
MED the floral tributes, and the camp of the
4th was the envy of the night.
One of the features of Thursday morning
was an alleged fox chase on parade ground.
The brilliancy of the thing was too many
for the fox. He soon became bewildered,
and the hounds quickly oyerhauled him.
Prvt. Colby, who alleges as an excuse that
his personal business required his attention,
deserted his post on Tuesday, and was ar
rested in Rock ford. He was released on a
writ of habeas corpus, but very pretty test
| case is thus presented, which will be fought
through the courts.
The FIRST Regt. band has been the delight
of the camp. Beginning with sacred con-
cert on Sunday afternoon, the band has en-
tertained the camp daily, not to mention the
musical gorgeousness of dress parade. On
last evening the band gave an out-of-doors
concert at the Clifton hotel.
! Much praise is due the citizens commit
tee as q whole and to Messrs. Mayo, Reed,
Lynch and Porter, for the excellent work
done before and after the troops came. Had
the brigade quartermaster been as thorough
the annoyances of Saturday night and Sun
day would not have been possible.
An attempt was planned by the First on
Wednesday night to attack the quarters of
the First Cavalry. detail was sent to the
officers of the Fourth asking assistance in
wreaking vengeance upon the Cavalry, but
Gen. Fitz.Simons got wind of the affair, and
that settled it. Not Cavalry man crossed
his lines that night, however.
The Rock Island road covered itself with
glory Another such a week would throw
the whole passenger department into the
hospital through Over-work . One train each
way on Sunday last is much to be thankful
for-much. 1t might have been worse, but
how doesn now appear. The Rock Island $
"a Man" needs little punching up. He's
too subsequent by far.
The camp was under command Of Brig
Gen. Chas. Fitz-Simons, his staff consisting
of Lieut.. Col. Farlin Q. Bell, Lieut.. Col. C.
s. Diehl, Lieut.. Col. Elliott Durand, Major
John W. Streeter, Capt. Edwin A. Potter,
Capt. Jos. n Buchanan, Lieut.. Malcolm Nc
Neil, and Aid. Camp Lieut.. Geo. 7. Love-
joy. The First was commanded by Col. E.
B. Knox, Third by Col. Brace, ranking Of
icer, Fourth by Col. Fred Bennett the First
Cavalry by Col. Maxwell, and Battery d of
four u pound Napoleons, by Maj. Tobey.
1t is very gratifying to the people of this
city to find the men so universally satisfied
with the grounds provided. Even the Tribune
man, in Saturday $ article said, eff the state
is looking for grounds for permanent en-
campment it will have to 90 long ways be-
fore it finds place so well adapted in every
way to the purpose as Buffalo Book But
after the arrival of the LIST Wilkie began to
&. see things" and it was thought for day
or two that the next encampment would have
to be abandoned or located above the Cold
and where grasshoppers ats not, and where
son of his father would really no able to
exist, "don't you know" The rest Of the
camp almost without exception professed tc
be delighted with the place, and say it is the
best the brigade has yet had offered it, II
must be remembered that only very small
tpart of the Rock was used thi. week. Only
q fraction of the timber and that the least
attractive sheltered tents, and were the en-
tire Reek used, as it would be in perma-
nent carp tents for three times as many
men could Be pitched in shade Of native
trees, the parade and drill ground increased
three fold and bril- atls headquarters pitched
in timber commanding as now sweep OF
the entire camp. The rife range could be
heightened, and few hundred feet of drain
tile would make the ground dry as q bone
in any weather.