Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-18
The Soldier Boys Are All at
Island Lake,
FIRST BATTALION Drill |
Was Held Last Night With a Good
Showing Grand Rapids Com
panies Wei Represented.

was received from Cadillac saying that
the members of the Fifth regiment,
from the northern peninsula. were at
that hour eating their breakfast In
Cadillac. This intelligence seemed to
throw a gloom over the troops, as the
prospect of waiting several hours was
not enhancing.
General Passenger Agent DeHayen
was, however, equal 10 the OCCASION,
ana hustled around until ne had made
up q train of three coaches and q
baggage car, into which the troops and
their baggage were hustled. and at 10
O'Clock the companies were on their way
for Island lake for q weeks training.
To show the taxpayers of the state what
could be done by the citizen soldiers
they are supporting. Company IL,
Captain Lampert commanding, was
the strongest numerically, having
seventy-two men in line, about forty
five of whom were clad in the uniform
OF the state. the rest wearing cltlzcns
clothing and white caps. Company r,
Captain Ed c. Bennett. contained sixty
men and Captain John ID. Kr0mer's
Company B was OF about equal
strength.
The Trip to Camp.
The trip to the encampment ground
was pleasant. although extremely
dusty. Shorts stops were made atMc-
Cords, Sunfield, Lansing, Webberville
and Howell, but otherwise fast time
was made. At Howell Private Souser
OF Company Il and Private Lett of
Company +, both in the cycle corps,
were sent out 10 secure maps of
the county which will be used in pre-
pairing the route of the forced march.
They came to camp on their bicycles.
The distance il twelve miles and the
roads are sandy, but the trip was made
III short time, again exemplifylng the
practlcability OF the cycle in military
campaigns. AT the Capital city, COM
pany r, lst regiment, located at Mason
son was added to the train, and at $50
ces that Island Lake has been reached.
OF Island Lake proper nothing what
ever can be said. In fact there is
nothing In particular there. A small
building by courtesy called a "depot"
is located here. The main feature of
this building is the sign on top of 1t an
nounclng that Grand Rapids Is only
Ill miles away. Companies, and ba-
tallions were coming in hourly and
GALL day long through the dusty street,
sounded the tread of marching feet. !"
Soldiers 10 all conditions of private
lite were there, dusty, tired, but happy
In the prospect of week III camp.
Laid Out the Regulars.
Four companies OF regulars and q
band came IN yesterday morning, hav-
ing marched sixteen miles over as
dusty roads as were to be found in
Michigan. They mad not come through
the march in very good condition being
very much fatigued. Nearly q dozen
had given out entirely and we're
brought III IN an ambulance. 1t is gen.
orally remarked that the volunteer m
fantry could have put these 'men of
war" on the shelf.
Location of Island Lake.
Island lake, so-called. is located Ill
miles from Grand Rapids and AZ miles
from the City of the Straits. The
camp grounds are admirably situated
for the purpose for which they are now
being used. They are located on rise
of ground bordered by Island lake
on the north and south by swampy low
lands, and on the east and west the
land is hlgh as far as the eye can
reach.
Island lake is . beautiful sheet OF
water OF peculiar. irregular shape,
dotted here and there by islands of
green, from which the town takes its
name. The location of the Grand Rap
Ids companies is as follows:
Company II is on the extreme left of
the regiment, Company 4 near the GEN.
ter and Company Il next to Company
f, Captain Mansfield, which 10 on the
right of the regiment.
The camp has been named Scamp
Winans" in honor of the chief execu-
tive of the state.
Battalion Dress Parade
At $50 last night q battalion dress
parade was held. Immediately after
dress parade was held the f,rst guard
mount and Lieut.. John c. Boon did
the duties of adjutant for the first time.
HIS soldierly appearance and familiar
lty with his duties caused much favor
able comment. Capt. I'D c. Bennett of
Company f., Grand Rapids, was senior
Lieut.. Bert G. Allen of Company r,
u,
Brigadier General Eugene Robinson
ia in camp and reclines on a cot in
front of the brigadier headquarters
with his crutches WITHIN easy reach.
Ills pale face and general air of debil-
lty OF the invalid commander of the
Michigan brigade excite much sympa-
thy. However, he oversees the muster
ing IN of al companies.
IT
At 8 O'Clock last night and was greeted
with three cheers and tiger by its
neighbor, Company Il. The ARRIVAL of
this company makes the second regi-
ment complete.
Evening at Camp,
The evening at camp was passed by
the militia men in renewing old ac-
qusiutsnces, telling stories of camp
life in the past, and commenting on the
future III several places, excellent
male qusrtets are singing national
songs, and the sweet music Of their
voices is blended IN perfect harmony
with the music Of the bands at the
different regimentsl headquarters. The
evening was quiet one. and at TAPS"
lights were ont IN all tents except those
wherein some one was sick. or where
some one could az that particular mo-
ment open jack pot.
At guard mount the members Of the
bicycle corps reported TO / euteuans
Taylor, but ga especial duty was as
sigIIed 10 them.
The following Grand Rapids men are
detailed for special duty ON bicycle
corps Corporal Harry Hydm and Pfi.
vate Letz ~ Company + and Corporal
q. ~ kemn and pflvale IAnsaf Of