The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-12
FIRE ON THE GROUNDS TODAY.
Captain A. A. Bakers Tent Destroyed
How the Boys Pass the Time During
tho Evening-The Daily Routine
scenes ON the Camp Ground.
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS.

salty air blows from below the Dump
lings and Bretons Reef. The sloping
tents rise amt faff In The stiff breeze,
their edges flap and beat a tattoo against
tn poles and the guy ropes are streI ched
to their extreme tension. II is fresh air
can p In every sense OF the word. Taere
is enough air and more, and luckless il
the civilian whose hat Is not ca ught by
a guarding cord AS the gusts
OF wind blow puffs. perfumed
again with the new mo yn hay. II is
health-giving and life-inspiring air-hap.
PLY so, for thus it atones in son @ meas
u re for the somewh limited sleep that
falls to the lot Of the jolly boys during
the short hours Of night
Routine Begun.
Amid such pleasant scenes and guarded
by natur. in one OF her kindest moods
life is by no means without its labors.
AT 2:l5 the national salute OF twenty -one
guns WAS fired by Company A OF the
Light artillery, the flag was run p and
Camp ID. Russell Brown was officially
begun. The bugle call was sounded
Lieutenant Colonel James f. Phett @ place
assumed command as the officer OF the
day. the guard was mouuted and routin ne
work was begun.
At ore o'clock cloud OF dust rising
above the trcts back OF ths camp amour
".
they came in sight, aud rode proudly
down the road after tolsome march OF
twenty-four miles. A duslier lot Of men
could not be imagined nor could q set
OF men have been collected anywhere
who could have 'urpassed the splendid
military Precs on with which they
rode past the headquarters. At the head
Of the line rode Capt. Barker mounted on
black cnarger. Wheeling from his
line, he aud his two lieutsnants came at
full speei across the parade grouhd to
the briaadier ge.eraps quarters.
He halJed. saluted. and said to an aid.
Tell The adjutant that he light artil-
turued aud almost Ia an instant had
borue its master to the head Of his line.
That" said Lieutenant Wooiey. "a, he
gazed innently at the passing lines, rs
the most like real warfare. OF anything
I've seen for long time" At two
o'clock the machine gun battery ap.
peared. Its men were also dusty and
fatigued, but no sign indicated their
tedious ride. Al four o'clock the cavalry
appeared aud the camp was complete.
Two regiments with nearly full compile
ments of men had come within the lines.
Drill and Parade.
1t was not expected that there would
be much drill work in the afternoon. as
the men wers tired out with their
Journey but those who made such pre-
dictions reckoned without knowledge
The men were ready Tor duty. They
were anxious to show their ap.
Scarcely had tho bugle sounded
for the adjutant's call when
The arms were seized aud the two regi-
ments OF infantry reported with almost
entirely full companies, for duty. The
8. cond regiment under 7 e adjutant's
command practised the battalion drill
anu the skirmish drill for full hour and
a half. The first work of the First regi-
hent was also u bait alion drill, but later
Col. Thornton took command aud the
regiuental drill was practised. AZ $50
the bugle was again SOUNDED,
and the full oress parade occurred
After a short balf-hour's ork the troops
were disDanded, aud the call for supper
was in order.
The first movements OF the early drill
were ragged, IL one may use such term.
The responses to orders were irreg-
ular, aud many sharp word or
reprimand was indulged in by the officers.
Bur The work improved rapidly. There
are many men In the companies who are
ia camp for the first time and it is to be
expected that they Will make mistakes
and errors. But consideri.g x che inexpe-
rience Of these men the results OF the irst
days drill was very satisfac ctory; even the
first half-hour showed marked improve
ment.
General Kendall Inspects Quar,erA
Brigadier General Kendall aud mis-
staff made tour Of the camp aud spent
an hour in inspecting the companies.
Then they went of for ride. Mean
while darkness closed-the red beacon at
Conamicut CLEANED in the distance, and
of toward the north flashed the light OF
Warwick Neck. But other lights were
gathering near by. In front Of the
stationed two bright lights. and from out
the gloom one by one the silent forms OF
the musicians appeared The Ma
tional band began its nightly concert.
Around 1t gathered the soldiers In circles.
Row after row r.clined OH the ground in
heavy army coats. Their faces are lit by
the glow OF the lixhts until the dim out
lines Of the distant men were scarcely
visible IN the deepening sbadow OF the
night AT the quarters OF tue First regi-
ment, the First regiment band gave a
concert, while at the far northeast cor
ner another portion OF Hedley's baud e.
tertained the cavalrymen aud artillery
men.
Tho Signal Corps
The signal corps gave AN interesting
exhibition during the evening This
service Is the long distance tele-
phone OF the army. By day flags
re used. BY night torches are the
means OF talking The signals are spelled
out by the Morse code OF telegraphy. A
quarter circle to the right or left starting
from a stationary position above the
head is equivalent TO dot. A semi-circle
from either side To tie other il
the sign OF the dash. A perpendicular
drop in front is pause.
Last night the work opened with the
salute Three cheers for Camp Brown"
There were some ladies present and the
signals said I'VE have an audience
The final sentences we're: "It is time to
60 to bed" The reply came back, :" ALI
right. we'll come In at once"
He footed.
Over In the band quarters Mr.. Hedley
was enjoying himself and amusing his