Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-07-28
Camp Alger.

1esterday was the pleasantest oil any uay
yet spent at the encampment Thin clouds
shut off most of the suns heat, yet the day
was not gloomy one. The two preced-
ing days, during battalion and brigade drill,
had been too hot, even for spectators to en-
Joy the sight. The enjoyable weather yester-
day made camp life pleasure and put life
into the military maneuvers
One of the principal topics of converse.
ton was tho raid made by Colonel Donnel-
ly officer of the day, assisted by Lieuten-
ant Oliver, and another officer. These Of
hcers were on guard duty Saturday, and
had n detail of 100 men drawn from the 3rd
regiment. The ceremony Of guard mount
was not excelled by that Of any Of the
other regiments.
About two miles from camp is the village
of Brighton. There is nothing especially
attractive about the place, but numbers Of
the soldiers had been in the habit Of going
TO that village at night, to the delight Of
the Brighton dispenser of beer and snake
poison. The boys were not allowed TO 90
there at nights, and they went there merely
because they we're forbidden TO do so.
Most of the boys went by night train, but
some travelled by stage. The return trip
was made by many on foot, arriving at
camp very late at night.
Saturday night some 200 of the troops
embarked on the train for trip to Brigh-
ton. The train started, fares were paid,
and prospects looked favorable for safe
trip, lots of beer, and no sleep for the cit.
liens Of Brighton.
About half a mile up the track was
Colonel Donnelly, his officers and GO men
of the guards. The train came rushing
along; red light was displayed; the train
stopped, and then every soldier on the train
was captured and taken 10 headquarters and
got dose of chin music from the general
There was less noise at camp that night.
When the troops fell in for brigade drill
Saturday afternoon, every man was supplied
with eight rounds of blank ammunition
and during the afternoon there was given :
very fine representation of a real battle
The brigade formed two lines of battle-twc
regiments in each line. While one line
was firing, the other remained in the real
in support. The two twelve FOUNDERS had
been brought out, and helped considerably
to swell the battle sounds The banging
made by the cannons and the rifles OF the
regiments, was somewhat deafening, but, in
connection with the clouds Of smoke, the
moving soldiers, thc prancing horses, the
glittering arms, made scene long to be
remembered. At one corner of the battle
field is deep gully, in shape half circle,
and in the extreme corner is a small hill,
forming the highest elevation on the
grounds. When the brigade was changing
front so as to face the camp, some Of the
regiments had to form line on the hill and
in the gulleys, and they made one Of the
most attractive sights to be found any
where. The Alpena Guards we're on the
left of the 3rd regiment, and their location
when the brigade line was formed, was on
one side of the gully. The left Of the COM
pany being near the bottom and the rest OF
the company extending up the gulley side.
On both sides we're trees. Beyond them
we're the other nine companies of the Ord
and the LIST and End regiments, artillery and
the commanding general and staff The
scene was beautiful beyond description
On Friday, the Ord regiment was under
the command Of Lieutenant-C Colonel Don
nelly, while at battalion drill, and the man.
ncr in which the regiment was unanswered
was pronounced very fine by the officer,
who witnessed it,
Weather still continues very cold al
nights, and more than one blanket is neces
sary TO keep person warm, The straw in
the bed seems TO be getting thinner, and the
boards under the straw feel much harder.
Company b was on hand in full force al
breakfast, dinner and supper.
All the men connected with the regiment
al and brigade headquarters have oyercoats
and they wear them nights and mornings
The men on guard also have overcosts ant
wear them too.
The bedding for each tent consists Of two
small sacks Of straw and one blanket Ia
each man. There arc five men to each
tent.
The weather generally is as follows
Most Of the day excessively warm. Their,
is no enjoyment, especially for the meu
drilling in the hot suns rays Dust every
wherc-lots Of it. Evenings arc pleasant
till about nine o'clock and then tho temper
aturo is too cold for summer clothing. Tn,
cold remains all night. No dew falls, and