Savannah morning news., 1885-11-06
PICKING A DRILL GROUND
CHATHABEs GETTING READY
FOR gHEIR CENTENNIAL.

The Encampment to be in the Park Ex-
tension or the Whitaker street Base
Bau Park-Nine Teams Entered for
the Drin-A Large Number OF Visiting
Companies Expected Letters from
President Cleveland, Secretary Baynrd
and the Postmaster General.
On Monday night the Chatham Artillery
will probably decide upon the grounds 10
be used for the drill and eucampment
next May.
The two places that are being most
talked of are the old base ball grounds
and the park extension. There are several
objections advanced against the selection
OF the park extension. The cost OF hitting
it up would be greater, for portion Of 1t
would have to be fenced in, and grand
stand and other buildings VIII nave 70 De
erected. , is also considered ialher 100
public. and the visiting troops would be
under more restraint than IN camp not
overlooked by fashionable houses.
The use OF the base ball grounds just
beyond the Anderson street depot has
been rendered to the Chathams by Col.
EstiH, and it IS thought that the offer VIII
be accepted. The ground is large
enough for the parades and drilling and
is enclosed by a high fence. some bO0 or
TJO feet of 2-inch water main Will have TO
be laid, but as it will be in use but
short time. ii can be placed in the furroW
of a plow The company PROPOSES TO
erect grand stand 10 seat 5000 persons.
Facing it and on the opposite side Of the
grounds will be hippodrome seats not
rooted over.
Ample grounds for camping purposes
adjoining the base ball park have been
offered to the Cbathams free. Besides
The tents some bath houses and other
small buildings viii have 10 be put up on
whatever grounds are chosen. Every
thing viii be done % make the encHmp-
ment all that can be desired. The com
panv Is fortunate ln having the choice or
grounds so near the heart OF the CITY.
The driu grounds at Mobile were four
miles from the city, and at New Orleans
twice as far distant II the camp is
located at the base bali park an extra
street car track will be laid probably
out Barnard street. Estimates OF the cost
OF buildings will be handed TO the COM
mittee this week, and VIII be reported TO
the company at the frst meeting.
Secretary MacDouell, Of the Centen-
nial and Prize Drill Committee, is in
receipt daily Of large volume Of cor
respondence In reference to the drill.
The military all over the country Is tax
ing an active interest In the matter, and
inquiries are being received from all parts
of the North and West, as well as from
the South. Three companies have this
week entered for the drill. There are now
ten entries already made as follows:
Gainesville Guards, Gainesville, Fla.
bingham Hussars, Ethngham county.
Florence Rifles, Florence, 5. c.
Liberty Independent Troop, Liberty
county.
Montgomery Greys, Montgomery, Ala.
Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, Norfolk,
Va.
German Artillery. Charleston. 8. G.
Greenyille Light Guards, GreenVille,
Ala.
savannah Cadets. Savannah.
Head Guards, Company X, First Regi-
ment, New Hampshire National Guard,
Manchester, Y. Ii.
The entries thus tar made assure the
success Of the drlll. A larger, numOer OF
teams have been entered up 10 the pres
ent time than was anticipated. The drill
Is yet seven months distant. 1t is some
thing unusual for companies to decide so
long time In advance upon the entry Of
teams. and the fact that so large num-
ber OF entries has been made, and so
large a volume OF correspondence is being
4eNctNCA III AtEhlO 10 tnC ulliis lb an EVIL
dence OF the interest that is taken in the
matter all over the country.
Secretary MacDOnell has received fa-
Vorable replies from large number Of
leading infantry, cavalry and artillery
organizations which are expected TO send
teams, and which in any event will send
representatives, to participate IN the en-
campment. Among those which are eX-
peoted 10 enter the drill, but which have
not yet done so, are the sumter Guards Of
Charleston, the Escambia Rifles Of Pen
sac0la, Fla, Washington Light Infantry
OF Charleston, Governors Horse Guard Of
Atlanta, and Richmond howitzers Of
Richmond, Va.
The Washington Artillery OF New Or
leans, and the famous Busch Zouaves Of
81. Louis, at the Mobile drill last spring,
announced that tney would, without a
doubt, be here.
Invitations were sent out TO a large
number OF leading military organizations
in the North and West and 10 prominent
individuals. Letters have been received
from President Cleveland, Secretary Bay
ard and Postmaster General Villas, and
were read at the meeting of the company
on Monday night. The President eX-
pressed great pleasure at tue re-
ceipt OF the invitation. Although it
is impossible for him TO say now whether
the affairs OF state will permit Of his at
tendance, it would give him great pleas
ure, he said, TO be here. He asked to be
reminded OF the invitation later. when he
will give a definite reply.
Secretary Bayard wrote a somewhat
lengthy letter in which he referred to the
history and gallant achievements of Gen.
Greene. He was unable to give n definite
answer TO the invitation, but in any
event, whether he will be able or not to
attend, he expressed great pleasure at the
receipt Of the invitation.
Among the honored guests OF the COM
pany will probably be a detachment Of
The Newport Artillery, Newport, II. l..
organized in l74l, and the Governors
Foot Guard, Of Hartford, Conn.,, organ
lied in 177l.