The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-31
JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME.
Woods again Assumes n Peace
full Aspect.

Iul Aspect.
Sunday, the last day of the encampment,
was very lively one at Camp Hovey. 1t is
cutie probable that if our presbyterian preSi.
dent had looked in upon the scene he would
have been in favor of aboIishing not only drills
on Sunday, but also encampmentS. The scene
at Camp Hovey throughout the day was such
as would put an ordinary Fourth of July cele-
bratiOn to blush, with the probable exception
that there were frecracloers. The members
of the legion were of duty and spent the greater
part OF the day IN having an uprosriOus good
time, while the crowd of visitors to the grounds
days added together The visiting spectators,
however, were orderly, and there was seldom
one who oceasioned any trouble. 1t has been
a matter of comment that during the entire
eneampment no annoyance has been expe-
rlenced from the genus toughs who are wont
TO frequent free entertainments of this kind.
The number of carriages upon the ground yes
terday was greater than during the previous
afternoon, while the number of people trans
terred upon the railroad trains must have ag-
gregated two thousand.
The Sunday service, which was announced 10
take place yesterday morning, under the
duct of Chaplain Parr, dispensed with,
partly because rain was threatening at the
time and partly because of the condition
OF the grove as a result OF the heavy rain early
sSbbcfudl IN Lne afternoon the
brigade dress parade came of and made quite a
handsome spectacle, which was witnessed by a
big crowd. The contrast between this dress
parade and that of last Monday was GER
tainly very marked and showed the advance
ment that had been made by the troops during
the encampment.
At its conclusion the march home" began.
The entire First regiment marched from the
drill ground TO the railway station, where they
boarded special train for home. They were
accompanied by the Rockville battery. Later
on in the evening the different INDIANAPOLIS
companies pulled up tents and came to the
city, leaving the Third regiment and a part OF
the Second on the ground. These will break
camp this morning, and by noon all viii be out
of the city.
Already the talk has begun about next year,
when 1t is proposed TO have the biggest state
encampment ever held. At present the law
making appropriations for the state militia
limits the number of companies and places
other restrictions upon the growth OF the
legion, but ii is believed that when the legisla-
ture sees the earnest work that is being done
by these companies. under the provisions of
the law, as it now exists it will be willing to
amplify its accommodations. 1t need Dot Oc-
easion surprise If next years encampment wit
nesses 5000 troops on brigade drill.
In summing up the successes of the encamp-
ment It would be unjust to omit reference 10
the fact that much Of the credit was due to the
efforts OF Adjt.-Gen. Koontz. who but recently
went out of office. The latter found the state
militia in a badly demoralized condition, but
by persistent work succeeded in building it up
to the point where it now is, turning it over to
Col. Ruckle in splendid condition. To Gen.
Koontz too, more, perhaps than to any other
individual is due the credit of securing for the
state militia fine uniforms During his term
Of office, Gen. Koontz prepared and sent out
circular letter to the adjutant general of every
state in the Union, asking them TO join in petit
fiou 10 70 he eli fo-
state militiamen sufficiently to furnish them uni
forms. The effort proved successful, and con-
gress voted a sufficient amount of money for
that purpose, the law taking effect July last.