Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-08-20
oANrP EMRLER IN THE RAIN.
Death of Major F. H. smith of the First Regiment, This Morning.
 CAMP EMBLRR, NIANTIC, A,nr,,st OA 1Q0A


 August 20, 1890.
 The rain came down in torrents last night and the boys were obliged to keep under cover. The tents were not wet through, however, and everybody was i good spirits. Early this morning the clouds betokened another rainy day. But before 10 o'clock the clouds had cleared away, and at noon the ground was dry and the day warm and sultry. The governor and staff passed the night pleasantly and were around early this morning.
 To-day the First and Fourth regiments are doing the work, the others having a day off. The regimental, company and battalion drills, company skirmish drills and all other morning exercises were omitted on account of the weather. At II o'clock the First regiment was sent out to do outpost and guard duty. They returned at 1 o'clock when the Fourth was sent out.
 The hospital list is constantly swelling, but there are no serious cases, with the exception of young William Meyers, the colored boy who was thrown from a horse yesterday. Meyers regained con- seriousness for the first time this morn- ing. He received a terrible fall but the surgeon hopes for his recovery. This morning news was received of the death of Major P. Fl. Smith of the First regiment. which occurred this morning at his home in Hartford. Major Smith only recently returned from trip abroad taken for the benefit of his health. He was one of the most popular officers of the c. N. G., and his death has caused a gloom to spread over the entire camp. Arrangements have been made to take charge of the funeral and the members of the Hillyer guard and First regiment officers have been sent to Hartford to represent the militia. The majors tent, which has not been occupied this week, has been draped in mourning. Brigadier General Watson has an in- novation which he proposes to intro | duce during the present encampment. His scheme is to arrange series of drills in revolver practice for the officers l of the brigade and he thinks that if the project could be given fair trial it will become popular enough to make it a permanent feature of camp week. Gen. eral Watson thinks the sort of actual duty the militia is most liable to be called upon to perform is in the way of uuelling street riots and he thinks that the officers would be more perfectly qualified if they were proficie mt in the use of the revolver.
 Stray Bullets
 l Private Scovin of Go A was the victim I of the boys detailed him to do guard duty from the colonel's quarters out to the regular guard line. The proper guard detail arrested him and only the presence of Lieut. Burpee saved him from a few hours rest in the guard house.
 Private Overton of Co G is considered the weather prophet of the company. It | is a positive fact that his predictions very seldom fall short of the truth. Two of the members of Co G, who were out in drill yesterday morning, re- f cognized one of the many frequenters of the camp ground as a man named Doyle who left Waterbury six or seven years ago with man named Luddy and has never been heard of since. Luddy was accidentally drowned. Doyle was believed bead. Doyle has relationsliv living in the Brooklyn district. | The Second regiment was the first to put out the guard yesterday, the Fourth good second, the First and Third fol- | lowing.
 Sergeant Hallinan of Go G was the first to receive praise for the appearance of his quarters at yesterdays inspection.
 The details of guard yesterday from the local companies were as follows: Co G-Corp Danahar, Privates Connor, T. Dillane, Evans and Fitzpatrick; Go A Sergt Goldsmith, Privates Pentield, Nc Donald, Wooding and Humphrey. Lieut. Morse of Co A was senior officer of the, guard-First Sergeant Carter of the same company acted as sergeant major, be- cause of Sergeant Major Lanes illness. The Second regiment went out on gnard yesterday afternoon with overcoats strapped over their shoulders in prepara- tion for rain. and the boys had not been gone an hour before the rain came down in good style.