Morning journal and courier., 1892-09-06
VERMONT NOTES.

ki-The Vermont National Guard
and its Annual Encampment-Its
Makeup, Camp Equipage, Etc.-A
Look at Camp Watkins on Lake
Cha.npIatn-Outdoo Life at the
Camp-Good Fishing.
MONTPELIER, Aug. 26, 1S92.-In the
school geography of forty years ago We
learned that "Vermont is beautiful,
picturesque and inland state" A glance
at the map convinced us of the last, but it
is necessary to come to Vermont to know
and realize its exceeding beauty and
picturesqueness.
The geography also informed us that
"Montpelier is the capital, situated upon
the Onion river" That may have been
true away back in the forties, but now it
is upon the Winooski!
The Vermont National Guard is encamp-
ed on beautiful meadow just below us.
1t consists of one regiment of infantry and
light battery of eight guns. 1t is officer
ed (the guard by an adjutant and inspector
general, quartermaster general and sur
geon general. The governor is command
er-in-chief, with a staff of four colonies
and one captain. There Is a brigade COM
mander, with staff of two lieutenant
colorels, two majors, two captains aud
two sergeants. The First land only regi-
ment has twelve companies and is differed
by one colonel, one lieutenant colonel,
three majors, an adjutant, quartermaster,
| inspector of rifle practice, surgeon, two as
| sistant surgeons and chaplain. The nom
commissioned staff consists of q sergeant
| major, quartermaster sergeant, hospital
steward, drum major, chief bugler, first
| color sergeant and second color sergeant
The light battery is commanded by a
| captain, adjutant, assistant surgeon, quar-
| termaster and four lieutenants.
| Under the new tactics the regiment is
divided into three battalions of four COM
panies each. In forming the line, instead
Of touching elbows" las formerly, the
| men are stationed six inches apart, and
the three battalions twenty feet apart. At
dress parade yesterday the line extended
further q should think than that of our
four Connecticut regiments. Indeed, am
informed by Adjutant General Peck that
four companies will cover as much ground
as regiment used to under the old tactics.
There is no color guard of eight men,
now. So that that target for the enemy is
done away.
The camp equipage of the Vermont bri-
gade Is excellent. The tents are new, and
the company streets are covered with
awnings.
In the mess-tents the walters are women,
mostly young and pretty. Many of the
officers wives are staying in camp, and
the presence of this feminine element must
have good influence upon the morale of
the camp.
The weather has been rainy, and there Ii
a prospect of the camp holding over to
next Tuesday.
CAMP WATSON ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN-"HI
| RAM ATKINS AND HIS FR1ENDs"-A SUN
| DAY IN CAMP, ETC.
| CAMP WATSON, LAKE CHAMPLA1N, Aug
20, 1892.-This is one of the most cele
brated camps upon the lake. It was es
tablished some twenty years ago by Hon
Hiram Atkins of Montpelier, editor ani
proprietor of the Argus and Patriot, an6
for many years chairman of the state dem
ocrstio committee of Vermont. It is 10
Gated on the farm on which "Paul" Smith
of Adirondack fame was born and reared
1t is on the Milton shore of Lake Cham
plain, opposite Pittsburgh, N. Y, which
is about twelve miles west. The Adiron-
dack mountains are in full view, with old
Whiteface, Mt. Marcy and other notable
l PCnhb. 0Iouu As1onO, W1Uu 4lb GOWuSulpk
Of South Hero and Grand Isle, is abou
four miles west. st. Adams bay is nine
miles north.
Camp Watson is not public resort TO,
the entertainment of whoever may come
but simply for "Hiram Atkins and hi
friends" or those who may be invited by
his friends with his knowledge and ap
| proval. It is not run to make money
Guests pay their share of the actual run
. / al
out for help and necessaries are reckoned
There is no allowance for the investment
and nothing for wear and tear. Mr.. At
kins' personal guests are entertained
without money and without price," II
fact, he pays for all that he and his invit
ed friends have, the same as any othel
camper.
} The camp is several families combined
into one for the time being. There il
plenty to eat and drink and good place
to sleep. All live out of doors during thu
day, and sleep out of doors during tn.
night, except that the canvas keeps of
, the wind and whatever dampness there
, may be, which is very little. The hor1
sounds the signal for rising at $50 a. m.
] and breakfast comes at 7:15. It is a rul,
that all shall be in their tents at $50, and
, the lights out at 10. This last rule il moi
always lived up to, but is very generally
observed.
| During the week days there are usually
several boats out fishing, tennis, croquet
and football are played, jaunts to Eagl.
mountain and the high hills back of caml
are made, picnic parties visit the adjoin
ing island, in word, all enjoy them
, selves according to their individual tastes
The Lords day is observed in camp al
it would be at home Mr.. Atkins makes
it point to entertain one or more clergy.
men all the time, and there is Episcopa
} church service every Sunday, which is at.
tended by the campers, and by people II
the vicinity. It is expected that every
body in camp, unless actually i'll, will at
tend this service, and they do. The say
. ing is 'tno service, no dinner and nc
champagne"
Yesterday, august 2sth), the Rev. A. N
! Lewis, of New Haven, of6ciated and
preached. The canticles and hymns were
we'll rendered by volunteer choir and
organ.
The fishing is excellent. Bass and wall
eyed pike, pickerel, yellow perch, bull
heads, cells, shepherds, ling and Other
''nocouut" fish are caught in great mum.