The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-26
THE LEGION'S ENCAMPMENT
How the Indiana Militiamen Are I'M
proving Their Chances at Camp Hovey.
Scenes at the Drill Ground-A Thorough
School Of Observation-Disclosures for the
Governors Visit-NOtes and Incidents.

ont The Michigan road, or any of the ave-
nues stretching nOrthward to Twenty
second street. and thence westward on the
road that leads through pleasant country
to the Armstrong farm. four miles from the
city, on which the little canvas city is
spread. Another way, and the one most
patronized, is to take the Big Four local
trains. which run within quarter mile of
the grounds, stopping at Seventh street
Tor passengers. going and returning.
third. is to take q boat and paddle
mp the canal to q point few feet
above Armstrong; ice-houses. where
an opening can be found into little bayou
which leads to the foot of the camp parade
ground. The fourth is to take the Crown
hiil street-car line and walk through the
cemetery to the northern edge of the en-
campnent, which lies close to the silent
city. The last-named route affords an
agreeable change of scenery and the oppor-
tunity of witnessing unlimited protesting
on the part of passengers when the con-
ductor comes around to collect a second
fare after leaving Thirteenth street. The
walk through the cemetery goes southwark
past the Hendricks monument, and, tend
ing east, come out at the southeast gate
ana opposite the lane which leads past the
armstrong house TO the edge of the woods,
where the first representation of gIim-vis-
aged war In the shape of n youthful picket
with gun apparently longer than himself.
is encountered. If you come upon him sud-
denly ne will halt you with q ferocity that
Provokes a suspicion that he was lengthen-
ing out his morning nap when first encOun-
rered but his peremptory Inien mitis ates
somewhat on further acquaintance, and he
nnally summons the corporal of the guard.
who lays down a good hand of cards with
the injunction to let it alone until he gets
pack; and comes to see what is the matter.
On the occasion the repor ter met the senti-
mel the corporal was a town-built eOlored
man: as dignitied as Cato, and as
teered to show the straight and mar
row gate further down the road which
is appointed for visitors.
All along the way the road is patroled
by sentries who have worn path in the
grass as distinct as the base lines in an
Last indianapolis Sunday baseball game.
and the salutes bestowedu upon the corporal
In passing would paraIyze Won Moltke.
Arriving at the gate there is nobody there
TO guard 1t, which suggests an inquiry as
to why the lateral approaches to the cita-
gel are so seduiously guarded and the front
door left open, but there may be moral in
tnis as we'll as an intention to impress the
visitor with an idea OF the welcome and
headquarters are located short distance
to the right of the entrance, and Gen.
Ruckle and his staff have pleasant
quarters In a cluster of ,roomy
the edge of the woods. There is not much
formallty In vogue with the officers there,
but the unities and conyentiOnalities are
preserved. A diminutive orderly paced up
and down in front of the open fly tents. but
his beat was some distance removed from
their entrances. and by keeping off the lit
Tie space he has reserved for himself, you
can get inside his demesne and get hearty
welcome without being challenged The
General reserves his dignity for the field
and his aides follow his example. There is
little fOrmality when an officer calls to
make a report or message Is delivered,
and then matters relapse into every day
| sociability. In referring. to the few
programme of the camp, General Ruckle
expressed the opinion that all of them
had been in the way of improvement.
The feature of city parade during the
encampment had been talked of, but never
definitely settled upon. and it seemed to be
a matter of general satisfaction that the
citizens contribution had not been made,
and the project had been abandoned. 1t
would have been, to some extent. an inter
ruptiOn of the purpose for which the camp
was instituted and as the time was short
for purposes of instruction, it seemed best
that all of 1t should be used for that end.
As for the holding of the camp over Sunday,
1t had not been contemplated at the outset.
crease the crowd of visitors. which was al
ready about as large as could be conven-
iently handled.
Yesterdays work was increased some
what by the preparations for tO-day's de-
mOnstratiOns IN honor of the expected visit
of Governor HOvey and staff There were
additional company and battalion drills in
the forenoon. and the afternoon battalion
drills were thorough and extended. The
parade ground Is magnificent one so far
as its location Is concerned, and is ample
enough for the eyOlutiOns of full brigade,
but its surface at this time is rough and
broken. and the short harvest stubbIe Wi h
which 1t is covered makes the footing slip
perry. tlres0me and even dangerous An
instance of the latter quality was furnished
during the battalion drill of the morning,
when private Lee Oberly. of Company C.,
Second Regiment, carrying his gun at sup
port arms. during n double-quick move
inent. stepped in hole, and the jar with
the weight of the gun on his arm, broke one
of the bones of the latter near the wrist.
| Officers school, which followed the dinner
hour yesterday. takes on the character of a
| Observation-Disclosures club rather than q
regular class of instruction At the one
over which Colonel Mckee. of the Second
Regiment, presided, all questions prOpOund-
| ed by the officers in attendance were con-
| sidered and the school was dismissed the
4
with any conundrums from the desk. The
| battalion drill of the afternoon was the most
| interesting event of the day, and the three
| regiments drilling In the same field gives op-
portunity for comparison that is taken adj
| vantage of by spectators. Yesterday theThird
| Regiment seemed to have the majority OF
| admirers, but the work of the past few
| days has brought about q marked improve
| ment in all of them, and there is but little
| difference in drill or field movements. Dress
| parade was hOnOred with the largest at
| tendance of ladies that has been seen on
| the grounds during the encampment, and
their presence added much 10 the interest
| of the occasion.
TO-day's programme Will furnish a bril-.
| liant feature to successful weeks enter
/ tainment if the delightful weather of yes
| terday is continued. The routine of the
day will be changed by the reception ex.
| exercises in honor of the Governor, bein Q
substituted for the usual battalion drills AZ
$50 P. NJ, and in these reception exercises
| the entire brigade. including the artillery
| will take part. In order to make the pa
| rade as effective as possible the ground will
be cleared of vehicles and carriages, in
the encampment as heretofore, will be To-
Gated on entering at the west and north
side of the field and compelled to remain
| there during the time they are in the in
closure. The Governor and his staff are ex-
| pected at l.. NJ, and following their re-
ception the usual dress parade will be had
Encampment Notes.
The guard house yesterday evening wa.
| without an inmate.
| The colored troops are winning COLDER
opinions as part of this years encamp
ment.
| Nooarof NoC;puie A4fnrnox oop nraI