Morning journal and courier., 1886-08-25
AuOOK AT CAMP LIFE.

ade-The Examining Board In Ses.
 sion-The Weather Very Favorable
 The New York Battery Arrives-Items
 About the Camp of Interest to the Sol-
 diers.
 CAMP SMITH, Mantle, Aug. 24.-The sol dier boys were astir bright and early this morning. The frosty air was a teaser for those who passed their first night on the grounds here in camp. Extra woolen blan- kets were sighed for in vain long before day
 break. "Old Probabilities rose bright and early and a beautiful day was predicted.
 The sun was so warm by noon that little comfort was had by the men who were en-
 gagged in the drills and parades or the poor
 sentries, who were obliged to carry their
 heavy muskets. The big event of to-day was
 the arrival of Governor Harrison in camp.
 Governor Harrison, in company with Secre-
 tary Osborne, boarded the 1O:3O express at
 New Haven this morning and arrived here
 before noon. The train stopped at Mantle
 purposely for the Governor. The Second
 regiment, which was assigned to escort the
 Governor to camp, was drawn up in line be-
 for fore the depot upon d the arr arrival oo of
 ernor's staff and General Smiths staff re-
 ceived the Governor as he alighted
 from the cars. He shook hands with them
 and entered a carriage in waiting which was
 drawn by four horses.
 As the Governor passed in front of the
 regiment preparatory to taking his place in
 the line the regimental band struck up
 '.Hail to the Chief" The Governors carriage
 took the center of the line and the march
 was taken up to the camp grounds. The
 whole brigade was, drawn up in line as the
 Governor passed down in review. Each
 band played "Hail to the Chief as he
 passed. After the inspection the Governor
 was driven to his quarters which face the
 camp. They are fitted mp in home-ike
 manner and very comfortable.
 Governor Harrison said to COURIER re- porter this afternoon that he was very well pleased with the appearance of the States defenders and think they we'll deserve the title. He spoke we'll of the appearance of
 the Second regiment. He will probably re-
 main in camp until late tonight. The big
 day will not be until Friday, when the Ma
 tional Guard will be reviewed by his excel
 leney. Every soldier in camp will, on that
 day, look his very best. There will be 8
 battalion drill by the infantry, drill by the
 artillery and brigade dress parade immedi- nitely known when the sham battle will occur, but it is thought to
 have been set down for Thursday.
 The engagement will probably take place within and just without the camp. A CoU- RIER reporter interviewed an officer this morning on the coming engagement He said the engagement will be somewhat simi lar to other battles in past years, but there will be more painstaking care. There will be three regiments on the defensive, and one. the First, sent off a few miles to return by some covert path and attack them. It is hardly possible for the attacking party to be successful, although there will be a great chance for the First to show their military ability.
 Captain c. w. Whipple, U. s. A., from Governors Island, New York, is jubilant over the arrival of the water battery, in which he is to instruct the Connecticut sol diers. He said the guns will be in place for smooth bore guns of the Rodman pattern and two mortars. They are the property of the general government, loaned to the State un- der the act of 1882, to be put at the camp to familiarize the c. N. G. with them. The Rodmans weigh eight tons each and the nor tars, which are small ones, only thirteen hundred pounds A force of nine men ac- the battery. They were poled up the Mantle river on a scow at high tide and were beached at the seutheasterly extremity of the camp. The guns were unloaded on heavy timbers.
 To-day bugle calls were more closely ob- served than yesterday. The regular camp been we'll commenced. The reveille was sounded at 6 o'clock this morning, followed by the surgeons call. The company drill and guard mounting took place from 7:30 to 9. The mornings battalion drill was gone through very creditably. At brigade dress parade this afternoon the Connecticut Ma tional Guard never before presented as cred table appearance, and the verdict of old sol liers who have seen brigades all over the country was that it would be hard to find rivals to excel Connecticut's soldier boys. The bands were massed this afternoon at pa- rade and played excellently. Thousands of people witnessed the drills and parades this afternoon. Niantic's pretty girls were out in force gaily bedecked and with gallant soldier escorts. Officers resplendent in bright uni forms and gold lace dashed back and forth over the grassy plain; the bands played, the cannon boomed, the bugles sounded and the soldier boys just reveled in good spirits and hard work. The Second regiment acquitted itself very creditably this afternoon. The First regiment paraded in their white hell nets and white leggins and made 8 fair showing The old Fourth did well on parade md drill today.
 The camp was viewed by thousands of peo- ole to-day who came from the surrounding owns, and by rail from New Haven, Meriden, Wallingford and Bridgeport. The board was in session to-day. They quite number of men; the result vas not made known tonight. The camp ground presented very handsome appear ! Ince to-day, the grass is as green as in June, lot presenting the dried up appearance usual l tt this season. The quarters of the battery l his year are on the color line instead of as l ormerly at right angle thereto, facing the l vest. This is decided inn ,rovement rendered possible by he purchase of an additional strip of l and to the east, the camp ground now ex- ending to the river. A lively night was l pent by the boys last night, and it is ex- ,ected that "Rome will howl" in some of | he companies streets tonight. Lieutenant | oe4 he officer of the day to-day. There are in | he field fourteen commissioned officers, | orty-two of the non-commissioned staff, l hirty-fve captains. seventy-three Heuten- | nts, one hundred and ninety eight ser | ,eants, forty-two corporals and one hundred | nd thirty-seven musicians. There is great l ivalry this year among the three crack | ,ands of the State, the Second regiment, the l Wheeler & Wileon and Colts. The Second | ame to camp this year with one of the best 1 ,ands here. numbering twenty-two pieces. | The American band this year consists of | leader George Streit, Charles T. Howe, Henry F. Reyes, Frank Mcclure, John Gra- l Iy, George Butler, Charles Schreek. William l Reeves, William Hicks, Christian Streit, 1 1mil Adler, James Hayes, Thomas Hopkins, :. N. Daniels, Henry Harrison, John Curley, l Crank Fuller Christian Hederman, Nathan l Daniels, Charles Hendrick, Rene Thomas, Emil Schreck. The band will give 8 concert me night of this week in front Of brigade at which they will do their pest for the supremacy, as each band is udged principally by the concert which they give at headquarters. The Light Guards, Captain Walker of this ;ity, are showing up finely. In this compa- ly are the Flowing Club" now known by he whole brigade as the club who manage o enjoy themselves as we'll as to add to the ,njoyment of others. They are Corporals Neale, Kehey, Holmes and Private Thomas. Tonight they give a serenade to ''Dennis" n celebration of his birthday. Captain Lathrop of Company A, Fifth battalion, ar lived in camp yesterday, but owing to his Il health was unable to take command of lis company. The lieutenant is in charge.
 All the Governors staff will be in camp turing camp week with the exception of Colonel Mott, who has been excused on &C., count of business pressure. Impromptu games of base ball and football were in- lulged in to day by members of the different Governor Walters staff, it is expected, will have reunion in camp on Friday. Jesse Grant, a son of the illustri- ous general, is spending the summer across he river in his cottage. Captain Embler's company CD, made splendid appearance on parade this afternoon. The Grays this year are having Caterer Blakeslee to feed ,hem. He is acquitting himself remarkably we'll. Wm. Pickett, the popular caterer, has