The record-union., 1892-08-17
ECHOES OF CAMP COLUMBUS.
Some Results Of the Big Gathering of
National Guardsmen.
It's Success Was Due to the Clear
Headedness of General Dimond-
Sacramento's Regiment.

The much talked of division encamp-
ment of the National Guard of California
for 1892 is thing of the past, and it is
safe to say that it has been the most sue
cessful affair that has ever been held in
California.
AS rule, the officers generally have
been opposed to these large encampments,
chiefly because previous TO this last one
they have not been success.
Too much time has been consumed in
useless parading, the giving of banquets,
etc.; but from the moment General Di-
mond assumed charge OF affairs 1t has
been the general belief that if division
encampment was held it would do away
with the stigma attaching to those held
previously. The Sacramento forces have
been of one mind in this matter. and
favored a large camp, it has always been
answered by them in the affirmative,
provided General Dimond would take
personal command.
The outcome of Camp Columbus has
proved that their faith in the Division
Commander was well founded, and no
one whose opinion is of any value will
~
the fact that the last encampment at
Santa Cruz was so far superior to any,
thing previously held in that line that
there simply could be no comparisons.
Officers who have taken part in many
such affairs in past years have freely ex-
pressed themselves to the effect that for
the first time they have had a clearer idea
of their duties, both in camp and in their
home work as National Guardsmen.
This was due to the constant Watchtul-
ness of General Dimond and his able
staff officers, and to the hard work Of
Captain Barry of the regular army, who
was appointed inspector OF the Camp
by the War Department. He was to be
found everywhere and at all hours, spur
ring on men and officers, and doing it in
such gentlemanly manner that it was
almost a pleasure to be found fault with
for the sake OF the instruction impaired
The First Provisional Brigade, cOmpriS-
ing the First Artillery Regiment, Col.
Guthrie, the Eighth Infantry. Col. Hen
shaw, and the Tenth Infantry Battalion,
Major Chamberlain, has reason to be
proud of its record in camp. 1t WAS kept
as clean as camp of regulars which 1t
resembled closely in the fact that no dec
orations were allowed night or day. 1t
was orderly to a degree There was
scarcely any sickness III the camp owing
TO the watchfulness of Colonel Gardner
and Majors WEIGH and Stone, the brigade
and regimental surgeons. The brigade
had the right of the line in camp and on
parade, and even in sham the battle it was
given the position of most prominence,
another regiment being added to it from
the Third Brigade. Looking back over
the result of the weeks work in this bri-
gade, it can be said that it was performed
in first-class manner by all and with
cheerfulness, and when the brigade COM
mander apologized for the hard drill on
Tuesday, Colonel Henshaw's remark was,
''DOn't apologize, General, until you hear
as growl." The poorest work was in the
duties of sentinels. There seemed to be
very many men in camp who were en-
tirely new to the business ana it would be
good idea in future encampments to
specially train staff officer whose duty
would be confined chiefly to watch the
work of the sentinels. The necessity for
this was fully demonstrated III camp and
Colonel Guthrie has already taken steps in
this direction and Lieutenant Ormsby will
probably take many trips to Angel Island
before the next encampment.
The First Artillery did excellent work
IN camp, as might have been expected,
and the camp commander had only to
issue orders and they were obeyed
without question. IN the sham battle
the regiment showed to good advantage.
being in the fighting line from start 10
finish; and it showed superior work in
the skirmish line, both in line of squads
and in line.
Colonel Park Henshaw of Chico has a
model regiment in the Eighth Infantry
The discipline is first-clasS tor such a new
organization, and he has an able lot of
officers. His companies are all located in
different towns, which makes the work
more difficult, and under these circum-
stances the proficiency of officers and
men is really remarkable. He has able
assistants in his Lieutenant-C Colonel
fAraxr off nd hi Of Ia,
of Marysville) was the general favorite in
the First Brigade. In addition to his affa-
bility, he is one of the best posted officers
in the National Guard, and in a fight he
is a man who would be followed to the
death.
The Brigade Signal Corps did most ex-
cellent work under Lieutenant Fred
Martin, who was alive to the necessity of
keeping his corps prominently before the
eyes of the entire camp.
In the general mention of good work
the brigade and regimental staffs of this
city should not be forgotten. They are
mostly old campaigners, each an expert
in his line, and even in a sham battle
would be invaluable if there was less
fight in them. The chief trouble with
them seemed to be that they wanted to be
in the thick of the fray instead Of staying
within reach of their commander.
When the Division Commander desires
another such camp, all will go in with
the utmost confidence that it will be one
of instruction in every sense, and the
First Artillery and Eighth Infantry will
be found working as one body, If they
should ever be together again.
Where all have done so well it il per-
haps not in order to mention names, but
the steady, hard work of Colonel Hub
bard, the Chief of Staff, deserves special
mention. He scarcely left the camp dur
ing the week, and it is a good deal owing
TO his watchfulness that matters ran as
smoothly as they did. In the sham battle
his nostrils dilated and he probably was
carried back to his days in the Shenan-
doah Valley, when. under Sheridan, there
was something placed in the rihe-bores
beside blank cartridges.