The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-16
IDEAL CITY OF TENTS.
A Picturesque Spot Chosen
for the Site of Camp
Foster.
GIVEN A HEARTY WELCOME
Complete Arrangements for Their
Comfort Had Been Made by
the Citizens.

UklAH, CAL, June 15.-"Welcome to
the Second Regiment Artillery N. g. Gu
This is the legend emblazoned in bold
letters on a banner across Perkins street,
and under which all must pass when COM
ing from the depot. Ukiah in time OF
peace has assumed a military air, and in
Iodd's Grove, one of the most beautiful
and coy places in the valley, just over the
corporate line, Camp Foster was born less
than twenty-four hours ago. The site of the
camp is the high school plateau, well
shaded with massive black oaks, madrones
and the soft and dark -green foliage of the
towering Douglass spruce. The Enclosure
gives ample space for everything pertain
ing to well-regulated soldier city and for
all necessary drilling and military maneu-
vers, all on level ground.
The topography of the situation renders
the place just such a one as q military
officer would select for successful opera
lions and as point of vantage. Behind
the camp, on the west, the mountains rise
quickly, and, covered with a dense under
growth and thickly studded with
trees, give background that makes the
location picturesque. In all other direc-
tions the ground slopes gently away, and
the position of the Second Regiment Ar
tillery is considered impregnable should
the enemy try to approach from any direc-
ton.
The mountains look upon Camp Foster,
Camp Foster looks upon Ukiah and Ukiah
looks upon the beautiful Russian River
Valley to the east, and stretching far away
to the north and south.
The camp has been honored by being
christened in the name of the enterprising
and genial president of the San Francisco
and North Pacific Railroad Company-A.
W. Foster. The committee of citizens that
has worked untiringly in making prepare
tions for the comfort and convenience OF
the soldiers consists of B. S. Hirsch, f. M.
Weger, J. G. Whelan and George Eff. Wa
ter has been piped into camp; a large
brick range built for the culinary depart
ment. substantial dancing platform
erected, wood and straw furnished, two
telephone lines built and the streets lead
ing to the camp thoroughly sprinkled.
Major Huber and Lieutenant Mangels.
with others of the advance guard, have
been here three or four days.
2 The white city under the trees is COM
posed of 125 tents, regularly laid out in
streets at right angles. From the top of a
lofty pole at the inner edge of the parade
ground and in line with piece of artil-
1ery which is formidable enough in appear
ance to suggest respectable distance, in
the rear floats "Old Glory"
The special train at s 80 o'clock brought
Colonel Mcdonald, his staff and the regi-
ment. The Second Regiment band fur
.nished strains of music which mnha ii zed
the fact that the soldiers had arrived, and
with martial tread the regiment proceeded
to the grove to spend the first night in
Camp Foster. John Meyers, the chef, was
all ready, and the first attack was on the
rations at the dining quarters. Tomorrow
the discipline of the encampment, with it's
drills and maneuvers, interspersed now
and then with the pleasant side of the
militiaman's Iife-the social dance and
the sports afeld-will begin in earnest.