The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-24
IT WAS A SUCCESS.
Some Talks About Camp Richmond
with the Chief Oficers.

EOul6 ans aOO4b Odtup EElCQnOnQ
with the Chief Officers.
From the Augusta (Gd.) Chronicle. June 81.
Georgia has been very fortunate in hav-
ing her first encampment under command
of such veteran soldier and polished gen.
tleman as Col. George A. Mercer of Savan-
nah Apart from the obedience and respect
from the men which his rank as command
ing officer of the camp carried with il, his
services to the state. his reputation as a
prominent lawyer and his high social
position, all added to his qualifications as
commander and won for him the cheerful
obedience of the men.
Col Mercer is strict disciplinarian. but
at the same time has breadth enough to con-
slider circumstances, and issue only orders
that are reasonable and just He has en-
deared himself to the soldiers in Camp Rich
mond and proven himself model officer.
COL. MERCER Is DELIGHTED
with Camp Richmond and thinks the week's
encampment will result in much good for
the soldiery of Georgia.
Col. Mercer says the discipline of the
camp has been good, and the soldiers have
complied with the requirements in a spirit
that has been pleasant to him as their COM
mander and creditable to themselves. He
thinks the work of the week will prove
beneficial to the men, and that Camp Rich
mond may be written down a success.
Col. Mercer speaks in cordial terms of the
people of Augusta and their interest in the
camp. and readiness to do all they could to
contribute to its success.
CAPT. FIELD, q. S. A., is COMPLIMENTARY.
Capt Edward Field, U. S. A., who has
been acting assistant adjutant general to
Col. Mercer, speaks in complimentary
terms of Camp Richmond and the Georgia
militia
When asked for his views about the camp
Capt. Field replied that he could not enter
into details, because be would probably De
called upon to make report on the camp.
and it would be improper for him to give
for publication what he would subsequently
report. But. said he, In general terms it
gives me pleasure to commend the camp
and the soldiers. The camp itself might
have had just little more space. but the
other comforts and conveniences of the site
so greatly outweigh this consideration that
Camp Richmond may be regarded as an ex-
ceptionally fine camp.
In behalf of the Georgia militia there are
two points which deserve special mention.
First, the willingness and desire of the men
to learn, and tie splendid showing of the
troops; and, second, the personnel and So
cial standing of the soldiers. The officers
of the battahons and number of the COM
panies, as we'll as many Of their men, are
leaders in social circles of their communi-
ties and the state. 1t is safe to say that no
man in Georgia feels too high socially
TO accept commission in the
state volunteer forces. This is
not true in many states. and the effect
of it in Georgia Is obliged to be that a finer
class of men can be gotten into the militia
than most other states could secure. When
you see prominent men in business and
leaders in society commanding companies
in the state militia, it means that the mem
bers of those companies are of better class
of men than could be gotten into them if the
commanders were Inbred and unknown.
Georgia is specially fortunate in this regard
The regiment of Col. Mercer is as fine a
militia regiment as | know anywhere. 1t
has the advantage of the others in expert
ence in camp life, but the others all show
fine spirit and readiness, and desire to
receive instruction that is highly commend
able and gives promise of great efficiency
and fine disc pline in future.
Another point l want to make is the free
dom from drunkenness in the camp. | have
not seen a single intoxicated man in Camp
Richmond, which is very unusual thing
in military camp. l am much pleased, and
think the future for Georgia's militia is
very promising.
INSPECTOR TERRETT TALKS.
Lieut.. &. P. Terrett, of the United States
army, who was detailed as instructor and
inspector of the camp, Endorsed all that
Capt Field had said about the excellence OF
the Savannah regiment, and particularized
the Savannah Cadets as the best equipped
and most thoroughly disciplined volunteer
company he had ever seen, declaring that
they riYalled regulars IN their department
in camp and field.
The men have shown a readiness to learn
and have learned a good deal. Especially
have they learned how to take care of them
selves. They will know next time how tc
equip themselves for camp, and how to save
unnecessary labor and to accomplish what
they have to do in the most expeditions
way. The best results of Camp Richmond
will be shown 10 the camp of next year
and the big advantage which troops that
were in this camp will have over those
which were not. l have not been able tx
have as much time for instruction as
hoped to have, but have found the mer
ready and willing to learn, and l think the
camp has been quite success.