New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-10
HARD WORK AT STATE CAMP.
THE MEN HAVE A LOT OF DRILLING.
a SAoNL WALL STORNED WITH SUBDIVISIONS
AT THE PLAcE-A GOOD RECORD FOR
II sEVFNrY.nptr

TIE sEVENTY-HRST.
STATE camp, Peekskin, y. V, July 9 (~spcciall.-Per-
feet weather, hundreds Of visitors and nlertv Of hard
work Were the features Of the state Camp to-day.
There was a storm shortly after midnight this morning
winch blew every cloud from tho sky ard allowed the
stars 10 brighten up the landscape 30 that sentry duty
was a pleasure. In performing this kladly act the
wind made # exceedingly unpleasant in camp for a
Time The tents whipped and snapped so that sleep
ing was ont Of the question. And then II became cold.
ONercoats and dreS5cOa;s and trousers were brought
INTO requisition and these articles. with TIE addition
OF TWO heavy blankets, were scarcely enough to keep
the men warm in their cots. When the men turned
out Of bed at 4;55 this morning. however, the sun
was climbing over the eastern hills and the scene was
enough 10 compensate for all the nights ~discomforts
Hot coffee and bread were served to each man and
before long the men were warming and limbering up
their joints with the exercise Incident 10 company drill.
breakfast tasted good after this vigorous exercise in
the flesh' cold air and II was dispatched with a relish.
When the call for battalion drill sounded every one
was ready for it. But even as willing as they were
every man got more Of it than he expected Lieu
tenant-Colonel Dennison was not thoroughly satisfied
With the way in which the men conducted themselves
and he wanted TO stir them up. 50 he moved the
regiment over from the east parade ground TO the
north one, where there was more room for skirmish
The drill hour was already up and the
recall had sounded. The men had been kept hard at
work for two hours. But ieutenant-Co1On Denni-
son IS an enthusiast, if anything. and he decided to
have satisfactory work out Of the men before they
were dismissed for dinner. He ordered two or three
IN quick succession and then explained TO
the men the importance Of taking advantage Of evG
natural defence while on the sklrmish.
There is a solid stone wall at one side Of the parade
ground and the leutenantcOlOne told the men that
they must dislodge the enemy's sklrmishers from be
hind the wall and use it in their own defence. When
everything was in readiness two companies moved
along "a road past one end Of the wall. and the re
mainder of the troops moved mp from the front. The
charge was ordered. and with yells which made the
hills resound, the wall was taken. 1t was now after
l. O'Clock and the recall had sounded at II 80. but
the men were kept at work for ten or fifteen minutes
more before they were allowed to get ready for dinner.
After the midday meal was finished visions of quiet
maps were rudely shaken by the sound Of the AS
sembly7 again. The men could scarcely belive their
ears until the orders TO fall In and to be lively about
it were given. They were called out for company
sFdrmish drill. There was some %grumbling at this
order and the movements were not executed with any
great amount Of " snap" one company had six men
all told, including four privates, one Of whom was an
ambulance corps man, two corporal, and the first
sergeant. Another had ten men. The boys thought
it was pretty hard, but they forgot their grievance in
the excitement Of the drill.
The visitors began to arrive before the morning
CFlll5 WtIb Ill>utN III uldus VI tHcAl Ntlt 44ttItStcN
spectators Of the charge on the old stone wall by
LieutenantC olOnel DonnisOn's men. Capthin and
Mrs.. Wood and Lieutenant Galbraith rode over from
West Point, arriving at dinner time. Both officers
are instructors at the Military Academy. They were
the guests Of Colonel Hopper, and they were enter
tanned at dinner in the private dining room in the
restaurant. General Porter and LieutenantC Colonel
Donnison were also with the party at dinner. The
fine riding Of the West Point people when they came
into camp and started for home was watched with in
terest By the soldiers and visitors.
Colonel scott and LieutenantC0lone Settling, o;
the sh Regiment, arrived on an early train and re
NAMED all day, visiting Old friends and picking up
points preparatory q the tour 81 their regiment be
Ginning one week from next saturday.
The list Regiment has made . good record thus fiF,
and the guard-dutv was 50 well performed yesteroa!
that Licutenant-COlOncl LOder. OF the Regular Amy
who Is detailed here As inspector, personally compil-
neDted CAPTAIN HYDE and Lieutenant Frank Keck for
The excellence II their work. several hundred persons
watched the dress-parade this evening, amonc whom
there was "a good s|prnklinc OF handsomely dressed
women. Most Of the visitors remained during the
evening and witnessed one OF the picturesque sunsets
for which the camp Is famous.