The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-07-07
STATE ENCAMPMENT.
THE FINEST MILITARY ENCAMPMENT
GROUNDS IN AMERICA.
High Altitude, Pure Air, Crystal Water and
Lovely View Of City, Plain and
Mountain-Fortunat is the
Texas Militiaman.


Maddox, one of the energetic men
bers of the citizens committee whic
has done such noble work in securin
the permanent encampment for Aus
tin, to visit the encampment ground
ON a tour of inspection. Benin
Franks fancy stopper, the driv
to the grounds, over Austin
broad streets, through the eylval
dells of Glen Ridge and up on to tn
mesquite hill, was treat.
Arriving at the grounds, the en-
trance is on the International ant
Great Northern railroad. which paral
lels the east side of the ground. II
front of you lie the parade grounds, ;
clear, level space of 60 acres on which
the feet of the soldiers can be seeI
from a level on any side of the
grounds. Over to the nOrthWe Gen
eral Mabry has left few struggling
trees with the lower limbs trimmed
off, among which skirmish and picket
drills will be given.
To the left as you enter the grounds
is q grove of live oaks in which Gen.
eral Mabry will have his headquart.
.ers Following around the edge OF
the extensive grounds in fringe OF
live oaks left for shade, are the mess
sheds, sixty-nine in number, with two
tables in each and a kitchen opposite.
The sheds are substantially built, and
the water main which encircles the
entire grounds furnishes water right
to hand for mess shed and kitchens.
Following the row of camps until
opposite the entrance, the grand
stand rears its lofty dome, back of
which is large ravine with cedar
studded slopes. In this ravine brick
dam has stopped the water from a
mountain spring and formed a pretty
bathing pool for the soldier boys,
shaded on the west by the cedar clad
bluff and fed when necessary from
the water company's hydrants.
Crossing the ravine lovely plateau
is reached, from which dense cedar
and bamboo jungle was cleared, and
this is the camp of the regular SOL
diers.
Imagine yourself standing on the
brow of the bluff near the grand
stand, Suddenly from the cedar dell
over the slope ring out the sharp
staccato notes of the bugle calling the
Assembly. You direct your view over
to the pretty plateau and the recent
scene of peaceful repose has suddenly
changed to one of bustle-but not of
confusion; everything goes like clock
work. The handsome horses are
quickly brought into camp and now
you hear the clarion notes of the bugle
again ring out Boots and Saddles.
While the notes die away against the
hoary sides of Mount Bonnet and re-
vertebrate back and forth through the
dark ravines of Mount Barker, the
harness have been placed on the
artillery horses, the cavalry horses
have been saddled and the in
fantry can be seen with
bright belts and glistening guns.
Now you see the positions walking
alongside their proud horses who tax Q
their places in front of the heavy cais-
sons, the cavalry horses have formed
themselves into line and the infantry
are drawn up against the copse on
the hillside. The bugle calls out:
Attention! Prepare to mount! Mount!
Forward! in rapid succession and the |
cavalry have started down the cedar
fringed road, the artillery have
dropped in behind them, aud the in
fantry, like automatons, have started
on an angle to strike the rear of the
artillery. If you have been o soldier
your cheeks flush and your blood |
thrills as you are held enchanted by
the scene-the nodding plumes, the
red of the Positions and the gold of
the cavalrymen, the proud horses
champing their bits as their iron-shod
hoofs spurn the pebbles sending them
flying rods away, the clang and
screech of the great gun carriage
wheels on the rocky road as the gay
cavalcade winds down the road fol-
lowing its serpentine course through |
the dense cedar. This gorgeous scene
ten fold more lovely than humble
pen can portray it, will be of daily oc-
currence during the encampment.
Accusing from our day-dream we
turn and enter the grand stand. Here
are comfortable seats for large num-
Der of spectators from which can be
seen every inch of the parade ground. |
On the second floor is the band stand
and space for few spectators. Not
satisfied with the view from this ele-
walton Mr.. Maddox insisted ON going
higher. So ascending to the dome
Mr.. Maddox climbed out on to the
roof, and extending a brawny paw
had soon elevated the reporter to the
Flagstaff, to which both chung like
grim death to sick niger.
What glorious scene burst on
the view from this point, which
was about eighty five feet
above the ground. Looking to the
north the boundless, billowy prairie
stretches as far as the eye can see; be-
meath you is the state asylum for the
colored deaf and dumb, over the ridge
is the old typical southern home of
Judge Hancock, with its broad pas
lures filled with gentle Jerseys, and
thoroughbred colts gamboling on the
sunny slopes. Turning to your right
the immense turret Nd buildings the
state has prov + its unfortunate
insane ar" vond is lovely
Hyde vel streets and
~ with the new
setting sun.
its shady
d ripping