Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-24
Pittsburg Companies at Mt. Gretna
Acuuit Themselves With Glory.
NINE THOUSAND STATE SOLDIERS
In Their Bright New Uniforms and Glisten-
ing Accoutrements
PRESENT A DAZZLING SPECTACLE
rFRoM A STAFF coRREsPoNpErr.J

where the Governor and party were they
presented sight seldom seen in this part of
the country. Imagine an army Of 5000
soldiers, infantry, cavalry and artillery,
dressed in the brightest and newest of uni
forms and equipments. the sun dancing and
glistening on the shining accoutrements,
with flags unfurled and standing out against
a stiff breeze, displaying to the best ad-
vantage the American emblem. Such was
the imposing spectacle presented to the
view of the thousands of people assembled
to see it. The heavy tramp, tramp, tramp
of 18, 900 feet kept even time to the roll of
the drums, and in all the scene was that of
grandeur that will never be forgotten. The
parade was formed on the large ground near
the Mt Gretna station.
FORMATION OF THE COMPANIES.
The guard was ordered out at o'clock,
and promptly at that hour the men marched
by from their respective grounds. Upon
arriving on the large parade grounds, they
were put in brigade formation with the
Third In front. Back of it was the Second
and the rest brought up in the rear. When
the formation was ended the regulars
marched from their camp to the parade
ground and took up. positions. They filled
the large field on the left, and marching
across and in front of the guard, were halted
on the right side of the State
militia. Each brigade had been formed
in lines Of masses, and presented q
solid front straight across the parade
ground. Following the regulars infantry
came artillery, and the cavalry brought up
in the rear. The latter stopped in the midst
of the parade ground and wheeled into line.
The artillery took up their position to the
left of the guard and awaited the arrival of
the Governor and party, The army did not
have long to wait. and in few minutes the
notes clear and sweet from Division Bugler
Williams brought them to attention, and
when the staff's order was given to march,
Adjutant General Hastings, owing to a
slight illness, did not appear on the parade
ground, but kept close to his tent.
THE REVIEW BEFORE THE GOVERNOR.
The Governor rode at the head of the pro-
cession. and behind came his staff, with
General Snowden and staff, General
Snowden in command of the division, which
b.
regulars led the parade, and were followed
by the Third, Second and First Brigades in
this order. Colonel Bush was in command
of the regulars, and with the exception Of
the marching of the infantry. showed up
we'll. Critics say if the regular infantry
was put alongside several companies in the
guard they would not be Sin it." They
know how to handle a gun, but lack
practice wheeling around corners, and
their step is slightly out of time.
As each commanding officer passed the
reviewing stand Governor Beaver took off
his hat. When he saluted the colored COM
pany of Philadelphia the applause was
deafening. The brigade bands, with all the
field music in the camp, marched at the
head of their respective brigades. The ap-
pearance of the Second Brigade was the
signal for great applause. Brigadier Gen.
eral Willie rode at the head and sat on his
horse as if he and the horse were one. Colo
mel Smith, Of the Eighteenth, and Colonel
Parchment, of the Fourteenth Regiment,
won great applause for the fine appearance
of their respective regiments. Battery B, of
Pittsburg, although the junior organiza-
ton, it was said, made the finest appearance
among the three companies.
TOO MANY COMPANIES.
The rumor that a company of the Eight
eenth Regiment will be disbanded before
camp breaks continues to cover more ground
each dav. The regiment has nine compa-
nies now, and only three regiments in the
State have as many or over. 1t is the de-
sire to cut down the regiments to eight COM
panies, so as to make a more even forma-
ton, and it is said the Western regiment
will suffer. Owing to all the companies
coming up above the mark at inspection,
there is not sufficient ground at present to
disband a company. Tine Fourteenth Regi-
ment has but eight companies and was re-
fused permission to organize another.
The slight impression the regulars had
that the National Guard men knew some
thing about military affairs, was indelibly
stamped upon them last night. Two regu-
lars got outside their camp to go on a visit
to friends in the N. 6. P. some distance
away. Returning, they ran into the State
Guard, and as the regulars could not give
the why and wherefore of being out so late,
they were run into the guardhouse, where
they remained all night. A regular army
officer, who was visiting a division head
quarters, refused the countersign, saying he
could get through the guard all right. He
tried it in three different places and finally
had to come back or the pass.
THE PIrTsBURG BOYS PRAISED.
The Eighteenth Regiment is taking care
of division headquarters to-day. The guard
is under the command of Lieutenants Will
lam Doak and 81. f. Lowry, two of the best
guard officers in the regiment. Lieutenant
Beam, of the United States Army, vino is
here instructing the men in guard service,
SAYS the Pittsburg boys are perfect, and
states 1t is the best service he had since the
opening of the camp. This speaks we'll for
the Pittsburg regiment
Quartermaster Robbins, OF the Tenth
Regiment is one of the best providers in the
guard. He is State Senator from West
moreland, and in addition to being a good
lawmaker, is frst-class soldier. Colonel
North, Division Assistant Adjutant
General, and Colonel KrumDhaar,
State Assistant Adjutant General, left
this morning in special car for Washing
ton, to escort the President, Major General
Schofield, and staff, and other officers who
will visit camp. The party will arrive IN
the handsome palace on wheels, Cornwall"
the private car of r. "a. Coleman, owner of
the campgrounds and about everything else
in Lebanon county. A telegram was re-
ceiyed from the Capitol saying the Presi-
dent will leave there about o'clock to-
morrow morning. The party will arrive
here about Q o'clock in the afternoon, and
will witness review of the troops about
o'clock.
DRILL AND INSPECTION.
The Second Brigade had a drill this morn
ing. Six regiments turned out and were
drilled in all the brigade movements by
General Wiley. The boys showed up well
and were complimented for their fine ap-