The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-15
THE BOYS IN BLUE.
Scenes, Incidents and Sights at the State
Encampment at Buffalo Rock.
A Grand Military Display.


One of the most stirring events of the
times in this region was the gathering of the
state militia, the First, Third and Fourth
Regiments Inf, First Cavalry aad Tobey'
Battery, composing the First Brigade, |. n.
g.. at historic Buffalo Rock during the week
just passed.
For ten days previous the citizens com
mittee had been hard at work putting the
Rock in suitable condition for the encamp-
ment, finishing their labors early last week,
when the grounds were turned over to the
proper officers.
The first company to come on the grounds
was that from Streator, which arrived at the
encampment grounds early Saturday even
ing. The First Regiment, of Chicago, ar
rived on special train Saturday night, pre-
ceded by Tobey's Battery Of three guns,
which arrived few hours in advance. Sun
day was chiefly spent in getting the camp in
order. The members of the First Regiment
arrived on the grounds weary and fatigued
from participating in the Grant obsequies at
Chicago, and it was provdential that Quar-
termaster Bell had been sent ahead, as they
found everything in readiness on their arrly-
al. A nice supper was awaiting them, tents
with floors, hanging lamps, paper napkins,
cots, pillows; mosquito bars, ct eeterd. How
| Il. IL Il fnrn -,
well as the First. The confusion incident to
getting everything in readiness for the boys
left numbers with but very little to eat, who,
with only a blanket around them, in true
soldier style spent the first night in camp.
There was total enrolment of | $50 sol
diers, a hundred or so less than at the Rock.
ford encampment of last year, the Second
Regiment Infantry and the Joliet Battery
being there at that time. Capt, Theodore
Schwan, of the Eleventh Infantry, L. S. A.,
arrived Sunday, being detailed by the Sec
rotary of War to inspect the camp, and his
report was highly favorable. At company
headquarters could be seen many Of the
wives of officers and members, wearing khe
with jaunty Ii tie soldier caps on their heads.
In the First Regiment there were 3j7 on the
rolls; in the Third, 351, the Fourth 295, the
First Cavalry 236, Brigade Staff, 20, and
Battery D numbering 76. The electric light
with which the camp was illuminated did
now work satisfactorily, the power being in
sufficient but there was light enough fur
nished from this source for all purposes.
On Monday Gen. Fitz Simons issued a
general ORDER prescribing the following as
the daily routine: Forenoon-reveille, 5 ;
assembly, 5:l5; fatigue call, $50; breakfast
call, g. sick call, 6:I5; company drill, 7
recall from drill, 8; assembly for battalion
guard mounting, Sl5; battalion guard
mounting, $50 battalion drill, 8; brigade
guard mounting, 9;45; recall from drill,
ll:45; orderly hour, II NJ; dinner call,
1915. ACKNOWLEDGE drill or rife
practice, Ills; supper call, 6; assembly for
battalion dress parade, 6:30; battalion dress
parade, 6;40 brigade dress parade, $50 !;
retreat, 7; tattoo, $50; taps, 10.
During Monday and Tuesday great deal
of dissatisfaction and kicking was prevalent
among the soldiery. The camp, though 10
Gated on one of the most delightful spots in
Illinois, was too far from the city, and the
boys who wanted to spend most Of their time
in Ottawa, instead of perfecting themselves
in the art Of war, grumbled at the inconven-
fence.
Monday the colors were hoisted on the
flag staff and salute of 81 guns was fired
by Battery d. This battery is equipped
with l2-pound brass Napoleon guns, and the
gunners proved themselves experts in the
celebrity with which they performed their
duties The First Cavalry headquarters
were fitted up in luxurious style. The off
GERS were resplendent in white helmets and
white flannel blouses, Napoleon coats and
spurs as large as those worn by Texas cow
boy. These quarters were scarcely sccessi-
BILE to even the most adventurous reporter.
A great deal of criticism and jealousy of the
First Regiment arises from the fact that its
quarters are so munifcently fitted up. The
members were styled the dudes but it
must not be forgotten that they paid dearly
for oil that was furnished them. There are
few soldiers that would not prefer hotel fare
to army grub whenever and wherever they
could get it. The members Of the Chicago
regiment were assessed 90 day for extras,
such as cooks, fare, &c., and if they could
afford il they certainly had the right to the
best, As one Of them remarked to FREE
TRADER representative, "they paid for the
best and the best was none too good for
them" This, however, did not prevent many
of the old regulars and members of other
companies from turning up their nasal or
gans and speaking adversely of the First.
This manner of camp life may have ten
dency to cut down the next year appropri-
alton bills for the maintenance of the state