The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-07-14
OUR SEA GIRq OOLDIERY.
Doings of the Opening Day
Beneath Camp Albeit
Canvas.
REGULAR ARMY INSPECTION.
An CfEicer Detailed by the War De-
parimcnt-Ladies in Camp
The Fourihs Dis
tinction.
REGULAR ARMY INSPECTION.

day here yesterday. and predicted all
sorts of direful calamities for the gallant
soldier boys of the first brigade He
based his predictions upon the fact that
the camp opened on the 18th of the
month, and the various mishaps Incl
dent to the formal opening. II was
grand spectacle, that opening. and sent
thrill Of patriotism through all who wit :
messed 1t. Brigadier General Steele with
his staff in full dress uniform took up
his position in front OF the tail
flag staff in front of his headquarters.
Two young militia men, trembling be-
meath the responsibility that rested upon
them, stood by the haliiards ready at the
proper time to ding to the breeze the na-
tional dag, which hung ban unshapely ball
OF bunting, at the peak OF the staff. On the
ether side of the staff. facing the General
and his staff, was drawn up the guard
from the first battalion. In their rear
stood the gun deLachments OF the frst,
Fourth and Fifth regiments, the guns
manned and the men ready for action.
Away in the distance, to the right. was
drawn up the entire brigade, dark blue
line against the white back ground OF the
tents relieved here and there by dash OF
color where the standard bearers stood.
THE STAR sPANGLED BANNER.
Promptly at noon a gun beiched forth;
the band struck up the the star spangled
banner. A CLEAN Of sunlight over TO the
right showed that the battalion had pre-
sented arms. The General and the staff
saluted and every one else TOOK OF his
hats to the nations ensign-but the ma
tion's ensign wasn't there. The two
young militiamen tugGed and pulled at
the halliards until they bent the staff. but
the ball Of bunting refused 10 unwind
The band Kept right on playing and the
young men tugged and shook until one
shook his helmet of. Then the General,
III what was meant to be a stage whisper,
ordered them to pull it down"
The young men obeyed and un-
tyiug the rope which confined the
flag ran 1t up to the peak where 1t fioated
all day. While this was going on the
guns kept firing the national salute of
twenty-one guns each In its turn friug
one gun at regular intervals. Suddenly
the gun OF the First regiment missed fire.
and 1t looked as though this part of the
ceremony would also miscarrY, but
Lieutenant Babcock, commander of the
Fourth regiment squad stepped into the
breach. and with his gunners covered
the Firsts' mfshap 80 that only those who
were watching the squads knew that one
gun has missed. With the exception OF
dress parade at six o'clock there was but
little camp routine. The men took most
of the day TO get their camp furniture
and make their tents habitabie. When
the brigade Appeared on dress parade
many were surprised to see a white he'll
TistS5 stranger a5 tho head 0I General
Steele's staff take command of the field
1t was Colonel Levi Bernard, of the Fifth
Regiment of Newark, the senior Colonel
of the Brigade and next in rank TO Gen
eral Steele. The General has been III all
the spring and Is still unable TO sit his
horse, so the command was turned over
to Colonel Bernard.
THE F0rrRTu's DTsTTNCrT0N
The Fourth regiment has won distiDc-
ton with its bugle corps. IL Is the only
one in the State aud when the boys
marched on the ground yesterday morn
ing to the inspiring strains OF lively
march played by the drums and bugless
4the men came rushing from all sides TO
see the Jersey City boys come In. Chief
Bugler Seifert is In command of the corps
and the entire music is in charge of Drum
Major Brownley. Major Brownley Is the
senior drum major Of the Brigade and by
virtue thereof walks at the head of The
procession on all occasions when the en-
lire Brigade parades. Bugles and drums
however do not make the only music In
which the Fourth exce.s. Some OF them
are experts in another kind of music but
you must be light sleeper and possessed
of sensitive nerves to appreciate it fully.
REG" ON HAND.
For the first time in the encampment
the Secretary of War has detailed reg
ular army officer to observe the work Of the
Jersey boys and report his observations to
the National Government. The officer is
Second Lieutenant Robert London of the
Fifth Calvary. He Is dapper little
gentleman and makes a picturesque
figure in his regular army uniform with
its yellow trappiugS. He Is a good fellow,
and has made himself popular at head
quarters. He expressed himself as highly
pleased with the troops and he paid the
Fourth high tribute for the soidierly
appearance they made yesterday as they
marched upon the grounds Governor
Albeit reached the camp yesterday after
noon and his hag-the national ensign,
with the coat of arms of New Jersey in
the jack--was flung to the Ocean breeze,
which happened TO blow from the land
Just then, from the staff in the road op-
posite the Governors cottage. His Ex-
celiency put on one OF the regulation
white helmets and spent most of the
afternoon in the rifle pits. The wind was
too strong, however, for good shooting
and the Governors score was not given
for publication nor necessarily as guar
antee of good faith.
Major Louis Broone Of the Generals
staff is Brigade postmaster this year
again. Lieutenant Colonel Abernethy
left camp last evening, and Will be away
on business until Thursday.
LADIES IN CAMP.
A number of ladies were AT Headquar-
ltlS yesterday. AIlCuE tucAl uCic ~AAc-
Senator AdraiD, Mrs. Senator Barrett,
Mrs. Dodd, Mrs. General Steele. Mrs
Keeser, Mrs Major Boltwood, Mrs. Cap
taiu Graf and Mrs. Colonel Hamilton.
Major kudiich of the Second regiment
met with q painful although not serious
accident He was ON horseback talking
with Colonel Snyder of the Third Bat
talon at the latter's headquarters when
his horse SHE'D at the Tapping of the
Tegimental colors ana threw the Major
and rolled over on him. The Major was
assisted TO his feet and 1t was found that
he had received only few scratches.
Every one salutes as he passes the colors
of the regiments which fly in trout of
different colonels' tents. This is new
regulation, and one which meets with
favor. The discipline is much stricter
this year than before. and the picnic sol
dier Is much cisheartened Three of
them are already under court martial.
Color Sergeant Moore has his little son
with him dressed In fuil regfmontals.
The little fellow makes soidieriy appear
ance aud is popular with the men. The
Foresters of the Fourth and second Regi-
ments, of which there are a number. will
give an entertainment on Thursday
evening Lieutenant Tom O'Naiil OF |
Company ID is an enthusiastic Forester
The new dag OF the Fourth Regiment |
is the only Que In the State which has |
forty-three stars and Charlie Barr. the |