New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-24
CLOSING THE STATE CAMP.
THE LAST NIGHT OF THE 69TH REGIMENT
MADE UNCOMFORTABLE BY RAIN.

A SUCCESSFUL sEAsON-CAvALRY AND SIGNAL
CORPS NEW FEATURES IN CAMP LIFE
State Camp. Pcekskill, y. Y, Aug. 23 SpecaD.-The
last night Of the 69th Regiment in camp. ana the
closing night of the season at Pecksk, was anything
but pleasant showers had visited the camp al
day. and at o O'Clock in the evening terrific thunoer
shower broke over the camp. The wettng winch ule
men received at parade had cooled their enthus
asn somewhat and there was not much cheering as
tbe evcninr advanced The band concert was omitted,
and hv the time fans had sounded the place was queter
than was usual at that hour.
When r,veiIc awakened the soldiers this morning
Colonel Story's men about. and had begun 10
gather mn the state property, preparatory to closing
the camp for the season. Every one ABOUT thc Pid'0
was making preparations TO depart and for awhile the
whole place was in great confusion. The ordnance
men got to work. however and began 10 cart the pai
lcts cots etc. away and pack them out ol s's"' CIV"
in short time order was brought out OF chaos' ino'
the work of taking down the tents was begun anu DS
the time the dinner call sounded, at hooh' the camp
began TO assume a deserted appearance
As soen AS the dinner was over the assembly was
sopnd.d and the Goth men formed on the coorline 10
finish the ceremonies incident to the abandoning oi
military post. When the line was formed inc ue'a0
mont Of The 1st Battery under command of sergeant
Jansen fired a aute OF twenty one guns TO the Naohai
flag and as the last shot echoed from one nil 10
another The National and the State flags came hylng
down. The Long Branch had arrived at Roa HOOK Ill
the meantime. and after the salute had been hred inc
march from the camp to the dock was begun Inc
regiment looked well it marched down the winding
road away from the camp, and the oincerS ana men
had the satisfaction Of knowing that they had success
fully closed one Of the most noteworthy seasons
Peekskin Camp has ever seen. The men OF the
Ordnance Department kept hard at work after the
soldiers had gone and within short time nothing was
left OF the tented city, which had sheltered be
before except a desertedlooking messhall.
Those who ought TO know predicted that this would
he an of" year at the state camp, Ill consequence
of the fact that of the crack regiments would
do tours of duty there the present season. THESE
predictions shot wide of the mark however. The
camp has been the Of number OF surprises and
innovations since it was opened on July D. Ihere
had been talk for time of disbandng the otf
Regiment, until it went 10 camp and surprised tle
state officials by the excellent showing 1t MADE. INC
record which that organization made while al PeehS
XIII will be the means if the state officers keep thei
word Of doing great deal toward supplying Tic
means TO build a new armory for the regiment.
The first innovation the arrival in camp o.
Troop A. that being the first time that cavalry troops
had ever been in camp. This new feature was fol
lowed by the First and the second Brigade sigma
Corps The signaImen have probably caused NOR
discussion among National Guaidsmen than am
other branch Of the service this season, and
a number of regmental signal corps have beer
started as result Of the object lesson furnished b.
the wigwaggers" from New-York and Brooklyn.
The camp open only seven weeks this year
but the expenses of maintaining it will be about tn
same as they last year According TO th'
Adiutant Generals report, the expenses last yea
amounting TO S147OOO. The present season TN
cost Of transportation was Somewhat higher than /
last in consequence OF the men being brough
from places further away from the camp than New
York and Brooklyn The 9th Regiment was ais
taken 20 Peeksldu by train, because boat cOul
be secured the day after July A. and in Consequence
the cost Of transporting that organization was abou
double what IL would ordinarily be 10 take the regimen
by water 10 Peekskill. The expenses this year vii
be in the neighbOrhood Of S150,0OO.
The old restaurant building which has done dut
ever since the camp established Will be torn dow
this fall and building will be put up whic
will conform in general appearance TO the new mes
hall. go
The trip OF the Goth from Roa Hook to thi
city devoid Of any particular interest The topi
OF conversation which interested the officers and me
most was the fact that the State officials had PARTIAL
promised TO put forth their best efforts TO secure
armory for the organization In the near tuturt
HEARTILY WELCOMED HOME.