The morning call., 1894-06-19
is. NOT A PICNIC AFFAIR.
National Guardsmen Are Kept
on the Jump.
Quick AND VERY EXHILARATlNG.
Colonel SulIivan's Soldiers Having
j: !: la Lively Time in the Shadows
: ~" : = of Triple Hill.

-. SASrA CRUZ, June 1S.-The First In
fan tfynen at Camp Dimond have settled
to the hard work of military field
: services with surprising energy and an
eaTue<tness which cannot fail of excellent
results, Much Of the labor of the past
:tWo.dRys was confined largely 10 company
stEeetS:aDd tent interiors. The confusion
which always attends such outings during
=: the:first day or two has given place to a
. nfost orderly arrangement
p. The men have turned the best share Of
their attention to the daily drills, and
seem" determined to lose no opportunity
which may open an avenue to, improve
menk ;, Colonel Sullivan. of course, is also
SO determined, but there is quite as much
willingness displayed by the rank and file
as there is desire by the commanding Off
GER: ~.
-. The officers of the staff with those of
field ard line are enthusiastic also, and
their co-operation with the regimental
. chiefseryes to more completely and sue
cessfully attain the ends toward which the
Iabyrs of each day are directed.
= Ever sine the first militia encampment
was held in California. the impression has
prevailed among persons given to guess
Ing that such affairs are entirely of the
holiday variety. They should visit Camp
: DimOnd.: If it we're intended that nothing
but play should enter into the programme
some one has evidently Numbered. For
several hours this. morning squads and
companies ana battaliOns marched and
perSpired in the early sun. Enthusiastic
corporals tTotted their squads with amaZ-
ing persislency. Captains and lieutenants
advanced firing lines, and reireated and
deployed and rallied, and did other things
in the drlll-book until there was no more
extended order in it. Battalions were
. formed. and the golden-leaved majors sent
the whole regiment grass-trotting. AS
Colonel Taylcr fifty remarked, TITS short
time between drills at Dmond."
The spectacle presented by these squads,
companies and battalions drilling out on
the vast parade ground is decidedly pic
Luresque. The eXtended-OTder exercises
require an immense area for the proper
execution of the movements and for this
reason the practical and most important
part of the work can seldom be witnessed
except at the annual encampment. The
drill. has less of the street-parade features
in it. 1t is lively and exhiIarating and has
something of the reality of battle about il.
Here squad of guardsmen are prone on
the grass firing at an imaginary foe. There
a long line of skrmishers are advancing
-7Snif. firing at every few yards. Half way
{ across the field this skirmish line extends.
Squads of skirmishers are moving forward,
the line is REINFORCED, bayonets are fixed,
: Springhelds crack in rapid firing and then
: the whole line bears down furiously with
Wells upon the enemy's advance.
=. GAard-mouDting is ordered in the morn
ing at Camp Dimond Immediately before
fhe drill of the battalions. 1t is very in
teresting affair and well done by Colonel
. Suilivan's soldiers. The band takes an
important part and contributes much to
the impressiveness of the ceremony. Cap
tain Williams, the adjutant. is largely
conspicuous at these times. and so is his
young and Woodworking assistant Ser
geaht- Major Mitchell.
The camp has not yet sufficient time 10
develop much of the practical joker's
handiWork. There is much amusement of
the surprising sort going on quietly. Al
headquarters Quartermaster Cluff has re-
vived the celebrated vigilance committee
and several Of the staff are doomed to
midnight disturbances before the week is
out. Lieutenant Grey. the successful COM
missary, has developed into g fairy-tale
Lieutenant Tom Cluf and Lieutenant
Holly of Holly alley.
The advent of the Second Brigade staff
within few days will occasion something
eventful in the line of practical Joking.
just: " hat is going to happen cannot be
determined, but Quartermaster Cuff has
been officially delegated to make things
3: pleasant at that time.
: Captain Cunningham keeps up his repu-
tatfon as a military enthusiast with the
: Valuable assistance OF Major George Bur-
dick" 1T is reported that public debate
had been arranged between the two upon
2: :'.Nafl-drivfng as a Necessary Feature of
military Education" but Burdick's re-
= Quest:1h the ColonePs second tent be the
.*BCeneef operations was refused and there
VIII be ND debate.
=: :It:has been arranged that rife practice
@hy the: Sc veral companies will begin to-
n1OrroW.s Lieutenant Barrere has made all
:: necessary preparations for rifle firing dur
ing the remainder Of the week. An eX-
e6lleGt 200-vard range has been con-
. sLTlcted in one corner of the field with the
. targets set against the high bluff just in
rear Of the camp. The 5OO-yard range will
be lecated in another part of the ground.
Each company is TO be permitted to use
the ranges for about day. Some interest
ing and exciting competition is expected
when the marksmen have sufficient time to
acquaint themselves with the new range
and the atmospheric conditions.
e. Much interest is being taken in the con-