The record-union., 1892-08-09
BY THE SEA SHORE.
First Day of the National Guard at
Camp Columbus.
How the Men Are Picking Up the
Threads of Soldier Life-Items
From the Camp.
Especial Correspondence REcoRD-US1oN.l

work to-day, and the camp has been a
busy place most all day. The men re-
tired early last night, and got good
rest.
1t is apparent already that the COM
manding officers intend to get good
deal of work out of the men during the
week. and those who donned their uni
forms with the expectation of going of
on weeks lark, will be disappointed.
Reveille was sounded at $50 o'clock this
morning, and the booming of cannon
rousted the boys out of their hunks. AS
soon as breakfast was over and the sur
geons' duties finished, the men were
lined up in all three brigades and drilled
in regiments. The parade grounds pre-
sented.
A LIVELY SCENE
With so many different bodies of men
maneuvering all over it. The batteries
were drilled, too, and Sacramento's men
showed that they thoroughly understood
how to handle their guns. They were
spoken highly of by General Dimond for
their work this morning.
The drilling this week will be of the
greatest importance to the men and
officers. 1t will be a week of serious in
struction. 1t is the first gathering of
troops since the new system of tactics,
and everybody is studying up. So far
they have succeeded better than they
expected, but they found that they have
great deal to learn. The officers and
men both like the new tactics. Last
evenings dress parade showed the new
system to advantage, and it was the gen.
eral opinion that the idea of turning the
regiments over to the respective Colonies
in massed columns instead of single
line, as under the old tactics, was quite
an improvement
THE REGULARS.
The militiamen are fortunate in having
Colonel Skaters regiment of regulars
from Angel Island and Benicia with
them. The regulars have the right of line
in camp, their tents being the first that are
encountered as one enters the grounds
through the main gate. The Coloners
guard lines cover this gate, and the boys
who stayed out late last night ran against
snag. There was no such thing as
getting through those lines, or anywhere
near them. The knowledge that the
soldiers keep their rifles loaded and carry
several rounds of ammunition in their
belts kept the boys from ''monkeying."
But, as l was saying, it is good thing
for the men generally that the regulars
are here. When the veterans marched
into camp yesterday morning they
showed the militia boys what marching
was. They moved like clock-work, every
Alah eIecI anu carrying his gun at Inc
proper angle. They are a fine looking
body of men, and their drilling is
revelation. Their discipline, too, is
good lesson for the boys.
HELPING THE SOLDIERS.
Captain Barry, who was appointed by
the War Department to give instructions
at this encampment, is working like a
Trojan and is doing everything he can to
help the boys along with the new tactics.
10 hoe hin INN
with the men and officers. He is mild
and gentlemanly with them, and at the
same time he means business. His repu-
tation as soldier makes them respect
him. This morning he took Colonel
Lehe's Stockton regiment out on the
parade ground and worked the boys
nearly up to lunch time. They We're
pretty tired when he got through with
them, but still they did not complain, for
they learned more in those few hours
than they could in month at home.
The Captain intends to take out regi-
ment every morning this week. He had
a consultation with all the officers in
camp yesterday and made quite a speech
to them. AS they all agreed that it was a
good talk transcribed it and give it here
10 your readers.
STRONGEST IN THE UNION.
'The National Guard of California -
said the Captain, lis stronger propor-
tionately to the population than that of
any other State in the Union and 1 be-
Heve 1t receives more liberal appropri-
ationS than the militia of the great major
lty of the States; and for that reason your
organization should in every respect be
one OF, IL not the best in the country.
and hopeto be able to say as much
when complete my work with you.
To thoroughly instruct and inspect such
body OF men as is here represented
would require much more ability and
time than l have to devote to it; but with
the time and means at hand, and with
your intelligent support and labor, [
hope at least to lay the foundation of
some good work. At the outset it NAV be
wise to state specifically what. as in
structor and inspector, mean to do. In
this way we start out understanding
each other, and let it be hoped that the
best results may follow.
WILL TACKLE EACH.
''We shall be together about eight DAYS.
which will enable me TO spend at least
one day with each regiment 1 have
brought my own tent and pitched it
among you, and it will be one of the last
to be struck. Commencing tomorrow at
reveille, shall spend one entire day with
each regiment. / shall inspect it in such
manner as will interfere as little as possi-
BILE with the routine OF the day. / shall
be present at all your drills and forma-
tons, and at the end, should it merit the
approval OF the reglmental commanders
| hope to have all the officers assembled
for short interview on the drills and
ceremonies that have taken place when
/ shall point out the errors committed.
and make such suggestions and recon-
mendations as the circumstances require.
At that time it viii be the privilege of any
officer present 10 ask any questions he
may desire, which viii be answered TO
the best OF my ability.
"Hou are too intelligent to think for
moment that | wish to hold myself ND
as an encyclopedia of military inforna-
ton. / am far from it and have no de-
sire to convey such an idea, but mean
TO give you the benefit of what little
knowledge L may possess, and at the
same time profit by the opportunity I'll
have OF hearing your views and opin-
ions. and creating friendly discussions of
points and matters in controversy which
will be Of mutual benefit The main OBJ
rect OF my short detail with you will be
10 promote the
EFFICIENCY OF THE GUARD
In every way within nv power. as in
structor, in the manner / have indicated.
and as inspector, by making such recon-
mendatlons as viii best further your in
terests. To enable me to carry out the
latter part OF the programme / have
called upon the general officers, the
Colonels of regiments and Others for
such suggestions as they saw fit to make
touching matters in point After such
recommendations are made let me sug-
gest that you follow them up yourselves.
You are power if you will pull lgether.
Lay aside petty jealousies, ii any exist.
Get together and decide upon what YOU
want Lay hold of the rope and pull
together, till you pull the legislators to
your way of thinking. There are many
things you need and you can get them.''
The Captain then enumerated some
Al, III + r;cla cb.~