The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-18

ThhN ", ". to 9th, the ,' Words ,,,s
other crack regiments of the United States.
The regiment was not going as a sample OF wild
and woody Westerners, nor as freaks, but to take
part IN national encampment of the militia of
the various states. At the time this was pro-
posed the military fever was feurishing, and
the boys took hold OF the scheme with q Will
Crack drill teams were started with the prospect
of sending only the best with the regiment. The
Seattle Rifles were prominent in the movement,
and Captain Joe Green secured many recruits on
this account Then came the trouble with o Brien
over uniforms, or rather lack of them. and then
the mines troubles, and then the renewal OF the
war upon O'Brien. In the excitement OF these
events the Worlds fair matter was entirely for
gotten in this state. In the East things We're
different. The Guardsmdn published at Chicago,
discussed the project did the Chicago Times.
Correspondence between officers of the National
Guard commenced. The Worlds fair commits
sion planned a weeks encampment for October,
1892, but that did not meet with much favor.
General Nelson A. Miles, T. 3. A., has be-
came greatly interested, and has submitted
plan to the commission, proposing
that an encampment should be held in 1898 to
last thirty days. IieutenantColonel Turner of
the First regiment, First brigade, Illinois Ma
tional Guard, also has good plan which is
meeting with great deal of appreciation from
the National Guard and its officers. He favors
an encampment In 1898 in which regiments
from all over the country shall take part, eight
regiments at a time to participate, and remain
on the grounds for n week, then to leave and
give place to another division of eight regi-
ments. The colonel's plan is to have well
arranged camp Quilt by private enterprise for
the purpose. There seems to be merit in all of
these. judging from what the officers say. 1t is
likely that compromise on them all will be
adopted. In the first place the Worlds fair
commission wants 10000 men in Chicago for the
M
men cannot go into camp at that time well as
in 1893 Therefore it is proposed that the Ma
tonal Guard help the commission to secure
those 900 troops in 1892 for the parade and
dedicatory exercises the expense to be borne by
the fair people. In 1893 the main encampment
will take place. Either Colonel Turner's
General Miles plan will be adopted.
General Miles proposes to lay before
the secretary of proposition
TO put 100000 troops of the guard and army in
camp for thirty days. 1t is practically mobili-
cation OF the American army. Whether 1t is
practical or not is a question. The idea is for
the general government to foot the bills for ex-
penses, but the volunteer troops to receive no
compensation. There is no law to compel them
to leave their own state for such a purpose, and
1t is doubtful If enough volunteers could be Sc
cured. 1t is estimated that the total expense
would be. 81 10000 and this would have to be
appropriated by congress. On the other hand
proposes would be of great benefit Colonel
Turner'S plan contemplates the securing of a
site and the thorough equipping of camp &C
commodating from FIVE to six thousand troops
at time, by private parties. The grounds to be
enclosed and within the fair grounds but sep
crate from the lines of the camp; simple, storm
proof, comfortable family barracks to be erected
for the accommodation of the families and friends
whom the guards may wish to bring with them
The camp. when complete, to be turned over by
the projectors either to a post commander or to
the adjutant general of the various states for a
length OF time sufficient for each to encamp its
own troops, arrangements being made for the
joint use OF the camp by two or more states
when the numbers of the guard enrolled in
either state would not DO sufficient 10
I'LL the camp. The troops to
be fed by the encampment COMPANY.
In accordance with bill of fare and at speci-
ned price per man.
Already plans for the camp are well under
way, and the Chicago papers have published the
general ground plan. Three d fferent tracts of
land are under consideration and as soon as a
selection Is made Camp Columbia will be laid
out Arrangements Will be made for eight regi-
ments TO come at time, each regiment to con-
tain ten companies of sixty men each, giving
one wall tent to every four men. Ample room
Is allowed for company officers, field and staff
non-commissioned staff and band Each regi-
ment to be supplied with mess rooms and
hiACueuSt Silks ana Ddtnlng facilities. The
tents viii be erected around parade ground
1,2i0xl 400 feet in size Around the parade
ground Is driveway 100 feet wide. on one side
OF the square and facing the parade ground
are the main entrances. Between them is a re-
viewing stand, and completing the side of the
square are two grand stands. On the opposite
side OF the grounds are headquarters built in
the middle OF a park 420x2,li0 feet in size
At the ends of the park are sta
bles. Back of the park are the
family barracks, hanked by the hospitals These
barracks are twenty-five long buildings, in two
rows OF eleven each. They are to be well and
attractlvely built, and each one will accommo-
date ten families, giving a livng-room and a
bedroom to each family. Back of the barracks
are the messrooms aud kitchens. The two re-
naming sides of the square are occupied by the
tents, four regiments on a side. Between each
regiment is street 100 feet wide; company
streets are smaller. All tents, both for officers
and men, are the regulation wall tent-not the
pup" species so familiar 10 the veterans of the
mines They nine feet long, nine feet wide
and eight feet six inches high, with fly to 60
over IL. All tents will have wooden floors Pa
vilions for shade and shelter are erected along
the front of each regiments quarters. Back of
each company's quarters are the messrooms and
back OF those the water closets. Care will be
taken in all the sanitary arrangements.
The idea is that each state should meet the bills
for its troops transportation and expenses at the
eoniP Inc Edte Will proDaDle DC sl.OU day n
man. With the Eastern states this will not be
much OF an item, but out here il is different
and If Washington regiments go they will prob
ably have 10 pay their own expenses in a great
measure. For putting their men in the regular
annual camp New York pays about So per man,
and Pennsylvania 81. New York aud Pennsyl.
vania can send their troops TO Chicago in 1898
aud put them in camp for from So to $50 per
man. Railroad men say rate of / cent mile
can be secured for transportation from sill parts
OF the country. Colonel Turner, in his PROPOSE
ton, sets forth the following benefits to be de-
rived from such q scheme:
IL will afford valuable and practical exneri
ment In the transportation of large bodies Of
troops from point TO point over long distances
an experience which National Guard officers
need. 1t Will popularIze the National Guard
organization among the people Of our own
country, from whom We must look for support.
It viii awaken new National Guard enthusiasm
and Will tend to ill up the RANKS and put mem
bership At premium. II will surely cement
and solidify our organization throughout the
country. All the benefits aceruing from the
yearly encampments, except the one item of
practice in rife firing, will result from one
weeks stay at the camp.
Affairs OF Company ID. 81.
Some OF the men In talking about the late