San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-05
TEXAS CITIZEN SOLDIERY.
GREATEST EVENT IN THE HISTO-
RY OF THE TEXAS MILITIA.
Grand Encampment of 1900 Men to
be Inaugurated Monday---A
Full Attendance
Coming.


Camp Of Instruction of the Texas Volun-
teer Guard has fallen to San Antonio,
and right well has the Alamo City,
through the Encampment committee, pre-
pared for this, the greatest event in the
history Of the Texas militia.
The committee, composed Of Messrs. Il.
w. Andre VS., president; Captain Hines.
secretary; Mill. Everett, treasurer, and
Capt. R. b. Green, Col. Sam. Maverick,
Major c. c. CreSSon, Gen. w. Ii. King,
Gov. Ross, Col. p. G. Rucker, Albert
Maverick, Col. III. b. Andrews, Major A.
j. Fry. and Capt. +. j. Badger have, since
it was definitely settled that the Encamp-
ment was to be held at San Antonio, have
worked earnestly in the work Of prepara-
be seen by visit to the grounds.
The preparations have been particular
ly elaborate in the matter of caring for
the men while in camp. The 500 wall
tents, l2X14, ordered from st. Louis, have
been put up in the shady southeast cor
ner of the exposition grounds. The camp
is regularly laid out in streets, each COM
pany, regiment and brigade to itself and
enclosing a square, in which tall flag
staff, brought from the post, has been
erected with the Star-Spangled banner
waving proudly from the top.
The Second brigade, under command of
General Stoddard, occupies the southern
part of the camp, and between II and the
river are Quartered the various bands.
To the right of the camp Of the Second
brigade are encamped several companies
of Z. S. regulars, and farther to the east
are several troops of the Third cavalry,
u. 5. A. In the northern corner of the
camp nearest the exposition buildings, IS
the camp of the First brigade, under com
mand of General Oppenheimer.
The headquarters of General Roberts,
in command of the camp, are located west
of the camp of the Second brigade along
about the camp and inside the race
course, where the greater part Of the eX-
erciSeS will occur, have been cut, the trees
have been trimmed and the grounds firm
ly rolled, forming most desirable drilling
ground. The camp will be regularly pO
Iced and cleaned by the militia
soldiers and cleanliness will be en-
necessaries of life to the boys while in
camp, except bedding, which they must
provide for themselves.
AS this is the first occasion when the
entire militia of the state have been call
ed out to form a camp of instruction, the
preparatory work was entirely original.
Camp furniture had TO be provided, tents
purchased and all arrangements had to
be made Off-hand, with no presidents to
follow, the entire business of the en-
campment being largely experimental.
And it is not expected that the militia
companies, which more or less contains
majority of unframed men, will reach
a high mark of proficiency in camp
discipline on the first occasion, but with
the right encouragement from the state
government, yearly encampmentS like
10 10 10 Iat IN
place the Texas Volunteer Guard on an
equal showing with the militia of older
states. For the favorable Inauguration
of this new era of the Texas militia, the
thanks of the citizens of San Antonio and
the state at large are due TO the untiring
efforts of the encampmentc committee, par
ticularly the local members, MeSSrS. Capt.
Hines, Capt. Green, Andrews and Milton
Everett, on whom fell the greater share
of the work of preparation.
The preparations in the mess depart
ment, under the able supervision of Mr..
John ID. Garrett, an experienced and pop
ular caterer, have been ample, and Mr..
CARROTS good sense has been creditably
shown. The old machinery hall has been
fitted up as a mess room, where the
Soldiery will take their meals in common
Forty tables, capable of seating seventy
five men each, or total OF 1000, have
been erected, and a small army of eighty
walters have been retained to serve the
soldier boys, and another army of cooks
will prepare their meals. The bill of fare
is rather unusually good for soldier, as
the LIGHT can testify from personal eX-
perience. Six or eight beeveS will have
TO be barbecued daily to fill the wants OF
the voraciOus appetiteS that are expected
to attend, and in precision and conven-
fence of arrangement the amateur soldiers
may find some good examples from Mr..
CARROTS methods. In the arrangements
of the mess hall, the general public have
not been forgotten, but one end has been
partitioned off where they can be served
with good meals at a nominal price.
Privileges for the sale of refreshing
drinks and other articles likely to be In
demand on such an occasion, have been
let, but the sale of beer and other intoXi- |
eating liquors on the grounds will be |
strictly prohibited, but some enterpriSing |
parties have erected beer booth just |
outside the grounds and beyond the juris- |
diction of the commanding officer. The |
only authorized souvenir sold on the |
grounds will be a neatly printed badge. |
The upper part of the grounds have
been provided with twenty large electric
arc lights, which, When lighted, will give
a brilliant appearance to the surround
ngs. No restrictions will be placed on
and no admission fee to any part
Of the grounds will be required. The
Arkansas Pass railroad, beginning
Monday morning at Z o'clock will run
rain between the depot in the city and
The grounds, as fast as it can make the
rips. The fare will be % cents for the
round trip, and it is best for a visitor TO
20 by the train, as no vehicles will be al
owed in the grounds, aud no provision
mas been made for their care on the out
tide.
rhe routine work of the week has not
been officially formulated by. General