San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-07
OPENING OF THE CAMP.
INAUGURATION OF THE CAMP
OF INSTRUCTION.
Drills and Exercises of the Gallant
Soldier Boys-Splendid Showing
of the Texas Militia-Sights
in and About the Camp.

into the city numbers of visitors and
companies of militia and great crowds of
people, old and young, rich and poor,
gathered at the various depots to witness
the arrival of the visiting companies.
The morning train over the |. and G. n.
came in in four sections, with as many
| engines and about thirty coaches loaded
with militia and sight-seers. Upon ar
rival they were promptly switched over
to the Arkansas Pass which road had an
engine at work to convey them in their
coaches to the grounds, where they were
met by Capt +. j. Badger, of the San An
tonic Rifles, who acted as reception
committee to settle the boys in their
quarters. Toward the close of the day
the camp and grounds assumed lively
aspect with martial figures Strolling
moved into place. The number of the
Startled start ""C Chief cam" Steward Garrett t
who was not anticipating so
great attendance on Sunday and his
preparations were little short in volume,
but he made a very acceptable apology
and promised in the future to supply them
with all they could stand, and the boys
know that he will keep his promise.
The committee have made the most OF
| their time and the day for the opening OF
the encampment finds no work of prepare
ton unfinished, and everything is where
it should be. All the tents are set; Chiel
Steward Garrett has his department well
| under hand and the boys confess that they
foreSee that they will be treated right
royalty. In mplimenting the committee
on their able arrangement and prepara-
ton, the name of Captain +. j. Badger
was omitted, but he is deserving of
thanks, along with the rest of the
committee, as he has borne his share OF
the work.
The first company to put in an appear
ance was the jeff Davis Rifles, Captain +.
J. Kelly, of Jasper, who arrived Satur-
day evening over the Southern Pacific,
after being on the road for three days, and
| were compelled to march thirty miles to
the nearest railroad station. They were
switched down to the grounds and
although this long journey had made
every man tired out and every man
as dusty and grimy as he well could be,
they set to work to settle themselves
down comfortably. While engaged in
this occupation Capt. Hines happened to
remark, pointing in the direction of the
down there" "Where? Where?" was
the universal chorus, and having the
direction indicated again, they dropped
every thing in hand and started on a
run, throwing off their clothes on the
way, and for an hour enjoyed a glorious
swim. The next morning before reveille
Capt. Kelly had his men out for a drill,
seeing which an army officer remarked
that the companies from the interior
towns would be found the most anxious to
profit from the lessons of the encamp-
ment, and turned out with that object in
view more than companies from the
larger cities, who expected a gala day
and time of fun more than anything
else.
All the men have brought their bedding
along with them, together with such
camp furniture as they were allowed.
They will sleep very close to mother
earth, as the use of cots have been pro-
hibited, and some of the more thoughtful
have taken the precaution to run ditch
around quarters which assures
them dry floors in case of wet weather.
Very few have done this, and the first
rain, if any falls, will be instrumental in
producing a very disconsOlate looking set
of militia men. 60.
Most Of the companies have come to the
eHcampment in a soldiers regulation
blue uniform and cap-but few, notably
the jefferson Light Guards have affected
spiked hemletS and snowy uniforms,
trimmed with gold with snowy epauletteS.
For gOrgeouSneSS of attire the Fifth Reg
ment band of Greenville, Drum Major
b. III. Brown, are not entitled to a back
seat, but with their bright red uniforms,
bright silver hemlets and flowing plumeS,
and military air present a pleasing APP
pearance. The Fort Worth FencibleS
are the most thoroughly equipped in SOL
dierly paraphenalia and are fine body of
men. The Frontier Guards Of Weather
ford Captain StitZ, are in physique and
discipline superior company, and
the number of broad shoulders
and soldiery figures, among them was the
subject of much favorable comment.
in bearing as much soldier as any OF
them.
Several of the various companies are
accompanied by their sponsors, among
whom are Misses Rebecca and Julia Will
son, of the Brennan Light Guards; Miss
Jessie McGee, of the Frontier Guards;
Miss Rose Borough, of the Bowie Guards;
Miss FlOriene Ross, daughter of Governor
Ross, of the Fort Worth FencibleS, and
Miss Ellie Epperson, of the Red River
Rifles, of GAINESVILLE. The dear girls
wear uniforms, and very sweet they look,
too. Those companies whose sponsors
will witness their evolutiOns, may be re-
lied on to make the best showing as the
men would rather be subjected TO the
severeSt discipline than retrOgrade in the
opinions of their sponsors. Such of the
them over their captains tents, and there
are some very elegant ones among
them. The Frontier Guards have
beautiful white silk flag which
was presented to them by the ladies
of WeatherfOrd just as the company was
boarding the train, and the men are
vastly proud of it. Several of the COM
the capacities of drummerS, color Serg-
cntS 'DOrtprS and servants to the captains.