The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-06

1t will be noticed that when the
colleges give summer vacations the
Military Academy establishes camp
and hangs on to its cadets during
three summers out of four. Camp
brings welcome relief after months
of hard study, but nevertheless it in
cludes good share Of hard work.
Only drill books are taken to camp.
and the cadet now does physical rather,
than mental work. He goes to rife
practice, to infantry drill, to light
battery drill, to various kinds of
heavy artillery drill, and to mechani-
cal maneuvers, where he jacks up great
guns and puts in practical use the
principles of philosophy which he has
learned during term time.
He builds bridges of pontoon boats
or of such materials as the woods af-
ford. The thermometer may be in
the nineties in the shade, but the ca
det stands in the broiling sun, and at
the word of command embraces q
heavy stick of timber and waltzes it
into position as gracefully as he will
his best girl at the hop that night.
Perhaps in some unaccountable way
that self f-same girl will discover that
both of the cadets hands are blistered
by the pick and shovel with which he
has been digging siege parallel or
throwing up earth works. In his after
life as an officer the cadet may never
have to labor Thus with his hands, but
he will have to command soldiers who
do, and he must know how it is him.
self. b
AS soon as the cadets march into
campin June guard is mounted, and
never until the tents are struck, atthe
end of August, is the camp without
sentinels. Night and day, rain or
shine, they keep their silent watch.
About once week each cadet has, in
some capacity or other, tour Of guard
duty which lasts for twenty -four hours.
In his best uniform he prepares for
the rigid inspection at guard mount.
ing, and that ceremony over, he goes
on duty. There are three reliefs, each
sentinel walking two hours and resting
four. It can hardly be called resting,
for the member of the guard stays or
sleeps at the guard tent with all his
clothes and belts on and his rife at
his side, ready to spring up at Q mo-
ment's notice to repel the real or inn
aginary attack of an enemy that may
happen along. This enemy is usually
the inspecting officer, who comes
around once or twice during the night
and turns the guard out, to the great
disgust of all concerned.
During the camp three hops are
held during each week. They last
only two hours, but make up in
hearty, enthusiastic enjoyment what
they lack in length. The girls are
relatives of the officers and cadets or
visitors at the post, and come from all
parts of the country, In spite of the
guard and other duty the cadet In
camp finds considerable time for happy
strolls around filtration walk" with
some girl friend, and adds, mayhap,
his romance to the many secrets which
the historic old rocks keep for those
who have gone before. He is usually
able to attend couple of hops every
week, but sometimes, when he is most
anxious to go, he will be unexpectedly
detailed for guard in place of man
who has been taken sick. Or the de-
partment of philosophy will decide
that it is q beautiful night for part OF
the first class to have practical astron-
omy. As soldier he can only obey,
and with telescope for partner and
the crickets for I'm orchestra he goes
to his task trying, like Aeneas of old,