The Sunday herald., 1886-08-29
WHITE AND RED COATS.
The Light Infantry A. the Scashorc--Nstionai
Rifles Down the Potomao-A Pleasant Week for
Roth.
rlvp wAauisorox.

CAMr WASHINGTON,
ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., August 2s, 1885,
This has been one OF the plcasantcst and most
cvcntful summer trips ever made by the Light In
fantry. There is little need to describe this "thc
American Brighton," 40 familiar has II become to
hosts OF sojourners from all parts OF the country
since the Pennsylvania Railroad developed the
means of communication. II is big, and seems to
grow bigger every year, and the various attractions
are almost innumerable. Starting at the north end
of Absecom Beach, there Is the inlet, with Its large
pavilion and fleet of boats for fishing or sailing
either In smooth water outside the bar, and boats
running to Drleantine Beach. A little further south
Is the tall lighthouse, one OF the finest on the At
lsntic, from which magnificent view Is obtained.
Here the city fairly begins aud there Is the nrst of
the large ocean PIERS Turning into Atlantic avenue,
the principal street, there Ia long and pleasant ride
In the open street cars or frequent 'busses between
rows Of stately hotels, large and well-nlled shops,
railway stations, public buildings, and other signs of
prosperity, until, by turn to the left you are
brought TO the "cxcursion houscs Of the rival rail-
ways, where their Immense and often motley loads
Of passengers who come for the day are dsembarked
This rivals coney Island In Its appliances for feed
ing, bathing, and amusing the immense hosts.
Everything Is on mammoth scale. There Is a
gravity railroad OF great length and In constant
operation from morning to night. Tho hobby horse
machines have four and i've dummy animals abreast,
and In the centre steam orchestrion plays really
excellent tuncs to which crowds assemble to isten
south Of this the big elephant stands In sight, and
can be reached by hourly trains an extension of
the railway, which also 20 to the extreme southern
lip OF the island. From this small steamboat piles
to Egg iarbor City, 10 that there Is practically no
end to the trips that can be taken.
North from the excurslon houses along the bench
runs the RiatO OF Atlantic City, the famous "board
walk" which has been Improved and extended every
year until Il Ia now said to be eight miles in length,
and affords promenade along the front TO the
whole population Of the city. 1t changes its ap-
pearance frequently, sometimes being lined with
shops and photograph galleries, then with bath
houses AMI pavllions, here improved by an enter
prslng hotel into an elaborate structure then branch
ing out to connect with an ocean pier, and part Of
the way running out over the sandy wastes for
those who prefer solitary stroll.
The United States Hotel was the nrst ami Is about
the only one run In metropolitan style. the fashion
here being for "cottages many Of them az large as
class hotels but preserving the features OF quiet
cottage life, doubtless tinged by tho large Quaker
element derived from Philadelphia. The United
States Is eligibly situated about midway OF the town,
and the lawn on which the Infantry Ia encamped Ia
the largest and nnest here. where grass does not
flourish In the dry and salty air.
Some were surprised at the rather long distance
from the hotel to the beach, but the seafront here Ia
too low and storm-swept to build upon, and the
means OF conveyance are 80 many that one soon
gets used to the daily trips back and forth.
The good luck Of the Infantry began with their
rapid Journey from Washington, which got them
through ahead OF blockade on the line that would
have been annoying. To be ahead Of time, as some
body maliciously remarked. is 30 opposite to the
usual course OF the Light Infantry In moving with
majestic deliberation that II Is no wonder the re-
ceptiOn committee were caught mapping. This lit
tie hitch was soon adjusted, and the Infantry set
tied down In their comfortable tents which the lead
Ing "mcsses" at once began to decorate with both
9sthetc and substantial "nxIngs" that won tht
admi ration OF visitors.
southern military are always favorltes this fal
North, and the Light Infantry are markedly 30
They received an amount OF attention from stran
gers which, when reinforced by the throngs OF home
friends who came with and after them, III light have
been expected to turn their heads but they bore
all with discretion and mOdesty and won genera
applause by their bearing both on and OF duty
Therein they showed their sense, for II Is those whS
make the best impression that have the best time
away from home. after all.
II anything was needed to confirm the popularity
OF the Infantry. the action OF Capt. Miller last Tues
day In saving q lady from drowning In the surf an,
that OF Private Webber In saving lady and gentle
Inhn WOuu nave ullcu tne Dill. NO one neeu wonder
by the way, at the number OF drowning accidents OF
near approaches to them who has seen tht
edge OF the ocean almost black with people
between II A. NJ. and noon, many Of them fOolhardy
and encouraging each other to venture far out witt
the idea that there is no danger In such large
In moment the safety line may be crossed, AMI
unless help Is right at hand another tragedy II
chronicled
The grand ball at the United States Hotel Monday
evening, which was brilliant AZ II could well bt
made, was riyaled by that at the TraymOre Wednes
day and one at the Albion Friday. In fact, tho only
limit to the social attention paid the Infantry was
their ability to respond To many Invitations In tn,
time at their disposal
The absence Of Col. Moore urng most Of III,
time and the family afilction which caused 1t wer,
| the theme Of general regret. III. fatheny manner
with his "boys" and ready cord ialiiy with the out
side world always help to make things move smoothly
when he ID about. Capt. Dalton has held the com
mand to the general satisfaction, and was ably as
| sisted by the stan aud line Oricers AMI the good
discipline OF the men.
The good health OF the camp was worthy OF re
mark, but that III what one expects at this natura
sanitarum. 1t Ii safe to say that all will come homt
sunburned and hearty from their bathing, fishing
base ball games, and other diverslOns. In word
the trip has been grand success up present writ
Ing; aud those who have participated In 1t are look
| Ing forward with very mingled feelings to the In
evitable parting with their seashOre friends and iht
hearty welcome they are informed awaits them a
home.