The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-05

This, however, I did not find it neces-
sary to use, as Major w. A. S. Bird,
judge advocate general to Major Gen
erai J. w F. Hughes, met me
at the gate of SOden's grove, where more
than a hundred tents dotted the green
sward, cleaning white in the September
sunlight.
was Immediately assigned to = tent
in the officers row, and was introduced
to General Hughes staff, including Major
Atkinson, Quartermaster general; Major
Klbourne and Major Fred Lewis, being
already acquainted with Majors Bird and
c. n. Nelson.
1t was then I also had the honor of
meeting Major Haskell of the Twenty
fourth United States Infantry and Cap
tain Cavenaugh of the Thirteenth; Gen
eral Cor bett and General Barker, both of
the K. n. g., and Major Drew and Adju-
tant General Fox were also at division
headquarters.
Division headquarters is a row of tents
in the extreme northwest corner of the
encampment ground.
"Old Glory" floats from a tall pole
about 100 feet to the southeast
Further east. just beyond a small
ravine. in a long line, are the tents of the
First, Third and Second regiments, in the
order named
At the lower or south end of the parade
ground. as it is now known, is the pride
of Emporia's heart, the base ball ground,
and when l arrived at least 5000 people
were watching what turned out a very
poor ball game, while balloon was be-
ing made ready for ascension at one
side.
This did not strike me as being exactly
military, but l supposed it was all right.
As the game closed the bngler called
to dress parade.
a bugle call has always had a peculiar
attraction for me, which is enhanced
many fold since I've spent two days in
camp with the Kansas National Guard
1t was the first dress parade and
seemed to me to be a most creditab ole
performance. and as Major Haskell and
captain Cavenaugh approved this opin-
ion it must have been So
1 cannot describe it, but the soldiers
and officers march and counter march
and pass in review before the officers of
the camp and day, led by their own
bands.
The Second comes first, and it is with
no little curiosity and interest that |
watch them when General Fox says:
"This is the regiment that has heard oil
your interest in camp life and wants to
adopt you as daughter of the regi-
ment'"
As the men pass the reviewing officer
they salute by carrying arms.
1t is all very pretty and inspiring, but
the prettiest custom to which my atten-
ton was drawn during my camp ex-
perienoe is that of saluting the colors
and it is indeed a beautiful idea
During parade the reviewing officer
and every body else for that matter, re-
members "hats eff" and resting on left
shoulder while the colors pass, whether
the color bearer salutes or not As
soldier passes through camp, on what
ever mission bent, he goes through the
same ceremony and never passes the
flag without saluting.
1t is the duty of the sentry to ses
that this rule is observed.
Immediately after Tuesdays dress pa
Eade the sunset gun sounded the sigma
and the colors dropped from the staff al
over camp.
do you hear that gun Miss Becky?'
said Major HASKELL; "well," Iaughingly
S'the sun can't go down till it is fired"
But the sun had gone down some min
utes before and bathed the colors BLOOD
red in its fading light "Dress parade,
Major Haskell explained, 'fs very hare
to have exactly on time, especially tht
first day; and then that balloon going VI
in the middle of the parade of the las
regiment, was very distracting to th'
men; we must change that tomorrow"
As he spoke the moon was casting it
soft beauty over the camp, and the tent