Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-02
Washington Militiamen in Quarters
at Little Rock.
A DRILL THAT WON LOUD CHEERS
The Emmett Guard Expected This
Afternoon.
SSIP OF THE TEN T S

CAMP GROUNDS LITTLE ROCK, Ark,
July 1.-The great interstate drill and en-
campment practically began yesterday af-
ternoon with the arrival Of the champion
National Fencibles. Although the day was
scorcher, the suns rays descending with
dissolving intensity, the city Of roses never
presented more attractive appearance.
Old Glory waved a welcome from every
structure in the town. and every inhabi-
tant and visitor was astir The Fencibles
reached Memphis at an early hour in the
morning, and were served with breakfast.
delay of several hours then occurred, ow-
ing to necessary wait for the Louisiana
Grays.
At precisely 4:3O o'clock a special train
conveying the Governors Guard Of Memphis
the Louisiana Grays and the Fencibles pull
ed into North Little Rock. where a citizcns
committee and a committee from the Nc
Carthy Light Guards greeted the new
corners. They were transferred to another
special train and fifteen minutes later land
cd within 500 yards of the camp grounds
knapsacks and coats Were discarded, guns
laid aside. and the tfty-six hungry soldiers
Immediately did justice to a good meal
which had been prepared at the mess hall
AL the dinner Capt Domer was overcome
by the intense heat which caused consid-
cradle CONSERVATION for a time among the
boys.
After dinner a busy scene was presented
by half a hundred Fencibles in decidedly
undress uniform, sol ting baggage, MOVING
cots and mattresses and putting the camp
in proper shape generally. A more hot
tired and dirty set than the Usually i'm
maculate National Fencibles would have
been hard to discover. for the journey from
Washington proved frightfully tedious and
dusty.
In the midst Of their occupation Capt
Domer appeared again. having entirely re-
covered from his illness. He directed Sergt
Rice to form the company. which was done
At this point heavy wind and rain storm
put itself very much In evidence. the first
OF its kind seen in the vicinity Of Little
Rock for over seven weeks Notwithstand-
ing the threatening aspect Of the weather,
the Fencibles, in white sweaters and with
out coats. caps or belts. marched toward
the drill field, which was surrounded by
scores of citizens. soldiers and ladies. the
latter being ensconced in the grand stand
Cheered to the Echo.
AS the Washington boys were discerned
approaching through the dust they were
greeted with applause. and, after executing
few maneuvers. were cheered TO the echo.
Considering the fact that the company had
just completed a forty-hour railroad Jour
ney the drill was a marvellous exhibition
Half the time the drillers were hidden from
view because of the dust, the above excel
lent doings have caused Fencible stock to
take big jump upward
The rain soon ceased but 1t left the at
mosphere 10 degrees cooler, which was a
company devoted the balance of the even
ing to sightseeing. Capt. Domer called on
the Fencibles' sponsor Miss Whittemore,
and her maids of homer.
Much regret is apparent in the company
because OF the absence of Lieut. Mortimer,
who was detained in Washington by sick
ness and telegraphed Capt. Domer that he
will be unable to join the team. This will
seriously handicap the Fencibles In the
drill Sergt. Tomlinson Is to act as second
lieutenant. Corp. J. p. Cromwell as left
guide. and change in the membership OF
the last set of fours must be made.
Capt. Domer had the boys on the field at
o'clock this morning, and the above
change in the makeup of the company
worked satisfactorily, applause greeting
each movement executed. In removing the
baggage from one car to another at At
lanta the handsome silk company flag went
astray. and that incident has given Lieut.
Mosher nervous prostration. 1t will prob
ably show up in time for the street parade
on Tuesday, however.
The Emmett Guard.
A most excellent reputation has preceded
the Emmett Guard. Capt. Walsh's command
is considered a dark horse and will not sur
prise many enthusiasts should 1t return to
Washington with the cup. The lads are due
at 205 o'clock this afternoon. and they will
III.
the intention Of the Fencibles to escort their
rivals into camp. but at the last moment
Capt Domer found that such courtesy could
not be extended, owing to insufficient rail-
road facilities A number of the captains
of state companies entered in the maiden
drill stated to The Stars correspondent that
they intend to protest against the entry Of
the Emmets in that contest. No doubt ex-
ists however, that Capt. Walsh and his
followers will win the first prize Of $50 in
that class on Friday morning next The
chief attraction today will be the presenta-
ton of sponsors. maids of honor and cha
IeroneS to their respective companies at 8
o'clock. The Fencibles have denoted the
company street as "Domer avenue" The
camp has been christened Camp Van Ell
ten, in honor Of the president of the drill
association.
Like Inauguration Week in Wash
inSton.
The local situation may we'll be likened
to a presidential inaugura ton period in
Washington, for already 1t is known that
there will be more visitors In the capital
city of Arkansas than the hotels and board
ing houses can accommodate.
A prominent feature of the drill, and in
fact the most prominent at present, are
the sponsors. The pretty daughters of the
regiment are very, very nervous They
nave already donned their company's colors
and tiny streamers of bright colored ribbon
nutter gally In the breeze as the pink roses
OF the owners hat meet the yellow roses
OF her neighbours while they talk things
over. They are acquiring quite a military
style. They say our boys" or my mem
in way that would make the mems hearts
jump could they hear it. As soon as You
meet one she tells you I'm a Fencible,"
I'm an Emmett "A Sealy" and SO on
special portion of the grand stand at
the drill ground has been reserved for the
girls and their chaperones. The sponsors
are always a great feature of encampments
and their influence upon the companies is
manifest They are generals in command
for the time being, and all men must obey
their orders. The men glance with a smile
at every pretty girl they meet In hopes
that she may be their sponsor or maid Of
honor, and the girls spy out the uniform of
every handsome soldier in the hope that he
is one of my men," The sponsors, maids
of honor and chaperones will be formally
presented to their companies at dress pa
rade this afternoon.
Inc stars correspondent called on Miss
Mary W hittemore, the sponsor for the Fen
cibles. and was entertained by that young
lady, her sister and Miss Bell, one of the
maids of honor for Capt. Domer's COM
mand. The girls seemed as anxious to
meet the visitors as the boys undoubtedly
were to surrender to the fair captors and
they proved themselves expert interropa-
tors.
Miss Whittemore is one of the wealtbiest
ana most beautiful young ladies of Little
ROCK, and she has made ARRANGEMENTS TO
entertain the Fencibles in a most elaborate
style. she and her maids of honor and