The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-25
SOLDIERS OF THE LEGION
Scenesin Camp, Where Future Warriors
OF the Country Gain instruction.
Service Enlivened by Incidents to Tighten the
Severity Of Discipline-The Guard-H
Has Several Occupants Militia Notes.

Yesterday could not have been more
bright and beautiful had it been made for
the Italian weather market. It's glories
were thoroughly enjoyed by the militiamen
I'D Camp Hovey, who. in the otf-duty hours,
sat or lay in the beechen shade, inhaling
zephyrs as they rolled in from the south
and west laden with the perfume of clover
fields. Now and then one would arouse
himself for time from the dolce far niente
to I'LL pipe or plunge knife into the ripe
red core of one of sutler Fuller's water
melons, but even these pleasant diversions
seemed to require too much exertion.
When the boys were ON duty, however,
they were every inch the soldier. and at
brigade headquarters the admission was
made that no such Improvement had ever
been made in men in the same length of
time at any previous encampment of the
Legion. This admission was not made for
publication, as there is no desire to make
the militiamen TOO large for the uniforms
they now wear, as the State of Indiana
will not furnish them with new clothes
should these suddenly become too small.
The few men in camp who, by reason of
delay IN the arrival of uniforms, have
marred the military aspect of the column
at dress parade, have at last received their
soldier clothes and a pleasant uniformity
will take the place of the conspicuous
alterations Of raiment that have hereto
fore prevailed.
During the morning General Ruckle made
an informal inspection of those parts of the
camp occupied by the First and Third
regiments, and a fter battalion drill in the
afternoon went through the quarters of tho
second kegiment. his inspection was
men what Is required IN the way of order
and cleanliness. The rule as to the admis-
sion of vehicles to the camp has been
changed somewhat. Hereafter carriages
not allowed to stop in the clover field south
OF 1t. Drivers of vehicles will be required
to drive past the front of the Third Regi-
ment, and then turn into the grove. They
VIII not be permitted to go through the
company streets, but must remain station
airy, except when coming in or going ont of
the camp. Tomorrow carria ges will be
permitted to occupy the north line of the
parade ground.
The officers placed ON duty at guard
officer Of the day, Capt Long; officer of the
guard, Lieut.. Dickinson. First Regiment.
officer of the day, Capt. Valentine; officer
of the guard, Lieut.: Kolb. Second Regi-
ment: officer of the day, Capt. Rawles; Off
Ger Of the guard, Lieut.. Ashley. First Reg
iment of Artillery. officer of the day, Capt.
Lash; sergeant of the guard, Sergeant
Christian. The brigade officer of the day
was Major Charles H. McCarer.. That duty
will be performed to day by Major Harry
b, Smith, of the Second Regiment.
When daylight came yesterday morning
careful census showed twenty eight &C.
cupants of the guard-houses. They were
soldiers who had gone out skylarking and
attempted to run the lines during the night.
Some of these disObeyed the regulations of
the camp more out of a spirit of fun and
banter than for any other reason. but it
was not long after sunrise when they dis
covered they had made "a serious mistake.
aness Offenders one Mere brought out under
which was not at all what they bad
bargained for. The guard-hOuse of the
Second Regiment held an even dozen of the
culprits, nearly all of whom belonged to
clutches OF Col. McKee's vigilant sentinels.
The Colonel felt rather comfortable over
the situation, as his own men were saved
from dong just that muc CHI work. Two or
three visitors Overstayed their time after
taps, and when they attempted to pass out
of camp were taken in charge by the SER
geant of the guard. One of these was
w. b. Roberts, the Governors private
secretary. who was suffered to depart
after much time consumed in explanation.
He had long and dismal walk through the
dark woods, pelted by the rain and, ever
and anon, startled by bat or screech owl.
When lie reached Thirteenth street he
found that the last pair of mules had been
obdulCtl, anu ITO COutluutu ulS weary Wdlk,
arriving at his boarding house at 1:30
o'clock in the morning. We do not put
the boys in the guard-house merely to be
severe with them.D remarked General
Ruckle to the reporter. but to encourage
them to remain in camp. The men are TO
be present on duty. or at every roll-call,
during the twenty-four hours. Those men
in the guard house who missed two roll
calls lose two days pay. and besides that
have to do police duty about the camp"
There was much greater number of
visitors in camp yesterday than on any
previous day, and still larger attendance
is looked for to-day. Among the visitors
was Governor HOvey, and the men gave
him great reception on his arrival. He
expressed himself as much pleased with
the appearance of the camp, and remarked
of the young soldiers whom he saw as the
regiments marched out upon the parade
ground that they reminded him very much
of the boys who went out in III. and who
are now griZzled veterans.