The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-07
CAMP OF THE cAVALRYMEN.
TYBEE. WILMINGTON AND MEL
DRIM WANT THE TROOPERS.

Col. Gordon VIII Not Decide for Some
Time Yet where the Encampment
VIII he HeId-The Companies of
the Regiment VIII Probably March
90 Camp.
Col. ". ". Gordon OF the First Regi-
ment Of Cavalry said yesterday that he
has not been officially notified yet Of
the action OF the military advisory board
in allowing the encampment OF his regi-
ment to be held at a point near Savannah.
The notification viii probably be received
this week.
Col Gordon has already had several
places offered for his consideration as
suitable for the encampment The first
communication on the subject was re-
ceived from President E. J. Kennedy Of
the Wilmington Island improvement Com
pany, offering the use of the spacious
grounds Of the company at South Point.
Mr.. Kennedy states in his communication
that there is an abundance of artesian
water at the point. plenty Of room for
cavalry maneuvers and assures Col. Cor
don that the members of the Wilmington
Island Improvement Company win do
everything in their power for the conf
fort and convenience of the troopers
should the encampment be located at
South Point.
Supt. Glenn Saussy of the Tybee railroad
has requested Col Gordon TO accompany
him on a tour Of inspection Of Tybee,
in order that he may demonstrate to
him the advantages possessed by Tybee
for an encampment Supt, Saussy thinks
Hnas
the place Col. Gordon is looking for.
There is a wide expanse of smooth beach
there, plenty of artesian water and with
the proximity of the Chatham Artillery
Club house, which could no doubt be Sc
cured for the occasion for use as head
quarters, the south end would prove
most desirable place. The surf bath
ing would prove no mean attraction.
Col. Gordon said that he was aware OF
the advantages Of Tybee for an enCamp-
ment and would make a careful investga-
ton. Maj. F. w. Meldrim was asked If he
would urge that the encampment be held
at Mcldrim.
mo, 1 shall not urge IT. he said. "Sev-
eral of the companies Of the regiment have
been axious for sometime though that an
encampment' should beheld at Medium.
The town is just about the center Of the
district in which the companies of the first
cavalry are situated and could be reached
by nearly every company by a short over
land march, thus saving transportation
of both horses and men, which IS quite
an important item. There is a plentiful
supply OF artesian water at Meldrim, a
sufficient level space for dismounted drills
and plenty of open ground for drills on
horseback. A great advantage is the rail-
road communications, there being several
daily trains from Meldrim to Savannah.
Any man in camp who was suddenly called
home by an emergency of any kind would
lose no time in getting home on account
of the location of the encampment. The
telegraph office is open day and night.
This would be Of great advantage to the
men and officers attending from Savan-
nah. Business men who We're called into
the city by matters demanding their I'M
mediate attention, could come into the
city on one train, attend to their business
and go out on the next train, losing only
a couple OF hours from camp. This advan-
tago would enable many men to attend
camp who could not otherwise do So NV
opinion is that Meldrim is the most con-
Vicinity situated point for the encampment.
l am not aware, though, that any PROPOSE
ton Will be made for holding the encamp-
ment there"
Col Gordon said that he thought the
march through the country just the thing
for the troops, and would prove a val
liable experience. THE majority of the
companies could reach any point around
Savannah in one days march," he said.
The Burke troop and the Wayne troop
could not do so. 1t would be a good two
days march for both these companies,
and probably they will have to be brought
down by rail. This would, of course, count
as part of the encampment. / want to
have all the troops in camp for one week,
though. If our appropriations is suffl-
cient and the conditions will allow of it,
I may possibly, after comforting with the
adjutant general upon the subject, decide
to order the march to the encampment in
addition to the time spent in camp, the
men to receive their per diem for the
time they are on the road as well as IN
camp. 1t is too far off to be forecasting
these matters, however, as the encamp-
ment is a good three months off yet"