The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-20
BOYS IN BLUE.
Another Inspection Report of
Summer Camps.
saersmento's Military Hauled Over the Goals
What the Figures of Merit Do Show.
The Army Of 10000

As has been noted, the report by Lieu
tenant J. W. Staples, Division Inspector of
the summer encampments of the n. G. c.,
is modest document. Particular note is
made of the condition of the tents as show
ing the care taken Of the States property
1t is pity, however, that in these inspection
reports never or seldom are given figures
showing the attendance in camp by COM
panies, of the battalions Of the Second i
Brigade.
CAMP ORION.
Speaking of Camp Orion of the Sixth In
fantry-and, by the way, the three encamp-
ments reported upon were all pitched on the
same tract near Santa Cruz-the report
says that special mention is made of the
condition of the tents in this command" and
"whle no special mention TO particular COM
pauy or street, yet tents generally were
well cared for Hay was not confined 10 ticks;
hence scattered over tent floors. This was
not general, but sufficiently so to deserve
this criticism" Company and State prop
erty was looked after, except in some tents.
While in camp there were forty-five cases
of diarThTa superinduced by drinking too
freely Of ice-W alter when heated after march
ing OF NIIllS. NIuNIU-uiOunl NdS lOASC-
able for lack of proper work by the officers.
Particularly was this the case in the inspec-
ton of arms, which did not reflect credit on
inspecting officers" The report of the in
spection by companies shows the usual re-
suit of uniforms off color" ga number i'll
fitting" condition Of them good and arms
poor or many of them unServlceable.
Company AS formation preparatory 10 dress
parade apparently lacked animation.
The Inspector with pleasure calls atten-
ton to the tact that on the day of inspection
9415 per cent of the 275 men taken TO camp
was present for duty. (Ihls Is calculatedt TO
mislead. The strength of the battalion in
August was 375 and II per cent of them was
in camp) In closing the report makes the
declaration concerning companies h and +:
The arms. with The exception OF the eighteen
new guns in the possession OF each company
were IN poor order, aud In soms cases almost
useless. The uniforms were ill-fltng, and tile
eClh showed MANY different coOrs. was par
Iculary impressed win The soldierly appear
ance OF The men of both companies ana their
strict attention and obedience TO the orders OF
their officers.
CAMP STANFORD.
At Camp Stanford of the First Artillery
were reported two cases of poison oak and
other cases of dySenteTy, none laying men
mp, but traceabe TO water ana fruits, thongh
the poisoned men were ordered home. The
company tents were in fair condition, and
then the report proceeds:
Oficers' tents generally occupied by ladies
(famlies of tie 0fiiCeTsl and inspecting officer
II was exceedingly embarrassing 10 be confronted
with this condition OF affairs. While not al
tempting 10 hazard the criticism that the per-
mission, iy the commanding officer TO officers Of
his regiment, to bt1ng their families 10 i've III
camp, being against lie law as governing
State camps, l do not hesitate TO assert that, in
my judgment, II is pre1udeIal 10 military order
and Discipline. Stale encampments are provided
iOr, by Ihetaws of the State as camps OF lnstruc-
ton; paid for as such, and anything tendlug 10
divert the minds of lie command from this fun
dameutal principle OF instruction is ID my judg-
nent thing to be carefully excluded from lhe
While il is desirable and necessary to put in as
much hard work as possible In the short time
allowed for camp purposes, an occasional even
Ing for reception OF guests should be encouraged
as tending 10 relax the tension OF camp life aud
invite The interest Of the citizens toward The Ma
The general condition OF the officers tents was
not attractive exception in favor Of The tents OF
the officers OF Company g. Adlutanps tent and
headquarters tent in good shape. Quarters OF
the band were neat and well kept.
The water supply was not good, but the
COmmiSSary Department. as we'll as that OF
the Sixth left nothing to be desired. The
general condition Of the men showed marked
Improvement over the camp of the previous
year. Drills displayed steadlnesS, orders
were executed with promptness, etc, nut
in dress parade the commands were
marched on the ground with fatigue caps
suspended from the rear waist button, which
is not in good FORM" On the day OF lnspec-
lion 253 men reported Tor duty, or 937 per
cent of the original number taken to camp.
CIhe battalon's strength in August was
3T2 and IS per cent reported for duty IN
camp. In conclusion:
Uniforms we're better than the average, and
while in some cases not fitting as well as they
should, yet Inc general appearance was good,
Tie reason for uniforms not lifting well is often
tfaeeabIe, not to the fact that they did not orig
inay tit the men for whom made, but III the
many changes taking places IN lie National
Guard" The company tailor does not always
keep pace with such changes; the ludlcTous some
get into a coat intended for man about five feet
IN helgbt-hls waist is certainly well set up
CAMP WATERMAN.
At Camp Waterman of the Second Bril-
Eade the average attendance was l2jS, and
point IS made in favor OF the Russell tract
AREA $50 acres, One-half only available for
camp purposes for State encampment
ground, with the prOvisO:
II the state should conclude 10 locate perma
nenj camp quarters lie above could lie Increased
by TWO gore pieces on the east the lrst contain
ing nearly thirteen and the second htty-tbree
acres. Tie location is good, and the natural
features much IN favor of this point. Much
would be required ID lie way of grading, rolling
aud bringing waite into camp before II would De
properly available for such purposes.
Regarding the First Infantry, particular
at tention is called to Tent 6 Gn + Co.'S
street,, which was provided with suspended
board, with hooks on tie under side, Tor
hanging uniforms, knapsackS and arcoutre-
n.ents, and on top having pegs for helmets.
he tent was also provided with gun-racks
and canvas cover for beds This tent de-
serves special mention on account of the
care taken to preserve State property and
the air of neatness prevailing. + and b had
gun-racks and boards for hanging clothing,
generally, however, not entitled to special
mention. AS tents not in good condition,
the company being on guard duty. ID c and
Il tents in good order and racks for guns IN
all tents What of II?
In the Third Infantry Company C's tents
were all right, BIS tents in good shape, though,
according TO the report, 90 the company had
an awning in front OF the tents stretching
The entire length of the company street l
was informed by the Colonel commanding
that he had notified the Company Com
mander that in his judgment this was
violation of the brigade order not TO deco
rate" Company II was not provided with
any tent equipments and the condition Of the
tents OF the other companies was fair.
The tents of the Fifth Infantry were gene
rally in good ordrr particularly F's. Special
mention is made OF the First Sergeants
tent which was very neat Among other
things specially noticeable Was portable
desk, which could to advantage be adopted
for use by all First Sergeants.
THE INSPECTION UNANNoUNCED.
In the Second Artillery tents were fair"
g in good shape" in good order" meat"
and C's specially commended, and through
excellent condition
Speaking on this subject the Inspector
dec ares:
III making this report OF the condition Of the
Various tents, II Is but a matter Of fairness 10
state that The ms eciiOn was not announced, and
was q fair index OF the working condition OF the
camp Alter viewing The camp thus am Of Tie
opinion that the enforcement OF rule should be
insisted uron compelling each company 10 take
inlO camp sufficient number Of mattTess-covers
for lheir men lone fOr each man; also supplying
portable racks for guns, and comIen. tie Inen
10 protect company property by folding unifOi ms
or hanging properly Also, by frequent company
n>IectiOns, 10 bring the men to realizing sense
of their duty 10 Tie Stale IN thus protecting
property which Is not their own, but placed IN
their hands i'll trust. The State, on the other
hand, should encourage thi-, by furnishing such
articles as tie nIattress-coye guu.rackS and
boa ds with hooks for hanging uniforms and
equipments, as well as for helmets.
The CoMmssaTy Departments were all
satisfactory and the camp healthy one.
The Signal Corps is referred 10 at some
lenglh as "a valuable auxiliary" and the
Recommendation made that it be mounted.
DECISIVE FIGURES OF MERIT.