Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-19
THE ENCAMPMENT.
No Play Business this Meeting
of Volunteer Guards.
TOO MUCH PERSPIRATI0N.
The Regulations of Camp Life Rather Hard on
Some Of the Ciy-Bred Lads.
Order and Discipline to be Maintained
Though the Heavens FaIi-No
Monkeying. No shilly-ShalIy-
ins-The Companies.
TOO MUCH PERSPIRATION.
A Birds Eye View.

A Birds Eye View.
Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN, TEX. July 1S.-Article 3315 of
the militia law is mandatory in requiring
the Texas Volunteer Guard to assemble in
military encampment once year. This
year there was manifested disposition
among many of the Guards to hold the en-
campment somewhere, especially at Arkansas.
on the gulf After inspecting the ground
Adjt.-Gen. Mabry found that for several
reasons it would not meet the requirements
of the occasion, and ordered it to be held at
Austin. The owners of Hyde park, con-
tanning about 200 acres. offered il for the
use Of the encampment, agreeing 10 tit II up
with water and light, and whatever else
was needed. a pool even was eNcavated
for bathing, but-aS Vet it is
NOT FLATTERING SUCCESS.
owning TO the fact that the sources of the
water supply that was expected to fill it
were wet weather springs that have about
dried up. II Will have TO be supplied from
the waterwOrkS perhaps Otherwise, how
ever, everything appears TO be satisfactory
and the boys have gone into camp in true
soldierly fashion. 1t is noticeable that the
great bulk, nearly all II might be said, of
the guards are little more than boys in
looks. They make striking show in their
uniform and caps, and try hard to look like
veterans. 1t goes hard with some of them
however, to carry out successfully the I'M
personatiou. The sense of pleasure one or
dinarily feels in looking at a company of
gaily uniformed infantry is overcome by
the sight of squad of mere youths Strug-
I Cling under a hot sun clad in seemingly
Eheavy uniform
BUTroNED TIGHT TO THE CHIN,
and having rifles on their shoulders. Regu-
lars look more comfortable under those cir
cumstances, or at least we think they do,
FbecauSe, perhaps, we expect ii of them,
than the volunteer guards do, many of
whom are clerks, accountants and men of
indoor work, who melt like ice in the face
of the sun.
Company mess, - is the rule established
for the encampment. Each company is au-
thoriZed to employ cook and a waiter, the
first at $l.50, and the second 81 a day.
There are two calls for each meal, with
ten,minute interval At the second call
company falls in, roll is called, and com
pary marches to mess tent where it is
sealed by command Meal over, the COM
paly rises, is marched back to quarters
and dismissed. Conversation at table is
permitted, but not of loud or boisterouS
order.
The acting acknowledgement at
tends to drawing rations and supplies,
keeping an accurate account of every item
According to the orders and instructions of
Adjt-G Gen. Mabry to the officers in command
;of the camp, the boys will find that their
work is
NOT ALL PLAY.
Order and discipline must be maintained
though the heavens fall. If the boys think
that they are going to have jolly time
''sloshing'' around, they have deceived
themselves fearfully. There is to be no
monkeying, no shilly-sha.lying. The rules
are not as rigid as those governing regu-
lars, but doubtless they are such as will
bear heavier on the guards than any the
regulars, who are hardened TO discipline,
feel.
The principal military exercises required
are battalion drill. skirInish drill and guard
duty. Company drill, may be had, if de-
sired and not permitted to interfere with
the others.
PRIZES.
The following are the prizes offered
One infantry regimental silk standard to
the best drilled infantry regiment, to be de-
termined on the sixth day of the encamp-
ment in contest between regiments.
One silk guidon to the best troop of cav
airy.
One silk guidon to best drilled artillery
company.
a handsome prize-probably cash-to the
company scoring the highest point in disci-
pine, cleanliness of quarters and grounds,
End proficiency in duties of the camp.
of the day and sergeant of the guard.
A medal to the Sergeant-major who fur
nishes the guard details most promptly.
Twenty or twenty-five of the best compa-
MES will be selected to attend the Column
bian exposition drill in Chicago in October.
1892 They will be chosen by the record of
the companies made at this encampment
and the one next year
There will also be tactical movements,
such as the companies do not ordinarily
practice at their armOrleS. Company
skirmish drill is ordered between reveille
and breakfast Between breakfast and din
ner will come guard mounting, regimental
and battalion drills in the order named
courtesy is eXacted of all, not only
as a mark of respect, but as
AN EVIDENCE OF DISCIPLINE
The state regulation fatigue uniform is
worn in line of duty. Fancy or regulation
dress uniform can be Worn only when au-
thoriZed by the commanding officer Of the
camp. AS there is no appropriation for
knapsacks. each guard is allowed one valise,
and each company two trunks.
Communication of rations at the rate of 80
cents day is allowed the guards in coming
to and going from the encampment.
One of the features of the encampment
will be the sham battle. to take place on
two occasions, as given out, on the 2lst and
23d. Selected companies of the guards
will charge on the city, which is supposed
to be in the hands of mob for the pur-
pose of dislodging them and capturing as
many as possible. Others will personate
the banditti and the assault is expected TO
be thrilling in the extreme. Congress ave
nue. will be the principal scene of the blood |
less conflict. the assaulting or relief col |
umn approaching it from the north and |
breaking
THROUGH THE CAPITOL GROUNDS. |
Thurs day night grand ball will be given |
at representatives hail. whereat the boys, or |
those of them up in the kinks of the Ger |
man and other fancy dances. will exploit /
heir manly graces in the company of the |
fair
The Texas Volunteer Guard consist of |
6fty-fve companies, comprised in six regi- |
nents, and two brigades. The whole is
under the command during the encampment
If Gen. A. S. Roberts of Austin. The bri
yade commanders are Gems. Openheimer |
and Stoddard. The latter, for some reason,
S not here, Col. Houston commanding in
MS stead.
THE REGIMENTS
with their companies are as follows: First |
W. D. Belts of Orange
The companies in this regiment are the |
Light Guards. Captain, j. B.
Aquila. This is Galveston company.
Houston Light Guards-Captain F. A.
Reichardt.
Sealy Rifles, Capt. Worthy Boyd another
Galveston company.
Amarillo Light Guards, F. c. Highsmith,
captain.
The Honey Grove Rifles w. c. Holmes,
captain.
Galveston Artillery company, S. L. Craw-
o = cap'snn. - ~, Z,