The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-13
PRAISE FOR CAMP ATKINSON.
Col. Reilly Thinks It an Ideal Camp
ing Ground.

NNAf - NuAn d
ing Ground.
Col Peter Reilly, who spent Thursday
afternoon at Camp Atkinson in company
with other officers Of the First regiment.
was very much impressed with what he
saw there, both with the excellent location
and the splendid arrangement Of the camp.
Col. Reilly said yesterday that he consid-
cred the site an ideal one, and he
believed 1t should be adopted as a per-
manent camp at least for the cavalry. by
the state.
Every arrangement for the comfort
OF tho men had been carefully consider
ed, said Col. Reilly, tents were pitched
In magnificent grove Of old pines, which
auOrQed ample protection from the hot
rays OF the sun, while Offering no obsta-
Gle TO the free circulation Of whatever air
might be stirring. The mess halls and
bathing houses for the men, conveniently
arranged and in regular order, were all
that could be desired. was struck with
the perfect order in which the camp was
arranged, from the commandments head
quarters tent and the tents OF his staff,
then his squadron commanders tent and
stan officers and their tents. then the
troop commanders tents. with their sub
e+A~N- "a HAAANNAof anu tlAEAA TIC ADtB1 AIAAAo
showing their respective streets. The ar
rangement Of the camp came more near
toward what is prescribed in the army reg
ulations than any camp l have yet at
tended.
The drill or parade ground he said.
rs all that could be desired, being a per-
feet plan, and sufficiently large enough TO
maneuver at least fun brigade Of cav
airy with ease. Let me say here that /
could not help in my mind of making a
contrast between that parade ground and
our parade ground at Camp NOrthen. To
those who have been at Camp Northen.
they will remember that the ground is
quite uneven-there being two prom
met hills on IL and between
them there is quito a depression, SO that
while the troops in passing in review,
when they reach this hollow. only their
arms or their heads are observable from
the customary stand of the reviewing Of
ficor.
know that in the reports of the camp
commanders from time to time this defect
in the parade ground" said Col. Reilly,
has been referred to. with a respectful
request that 1t be corrected, but up to the
present nothing in that direction has been
done, but to return to Camp Atkinson,
visited the rifle range, and found that to
be perfect In every particular.
Camp Atkinson was selected this year
for the cavalry encampment because of its
convenience or its accessibility TO the sew
raj troops composing the Fifth cavalry,
which are located in the counties of Burk,
Screven, Efhngham, Chatham, Liberty and
Mcintosh, as the state made no appropria-
ton for the transportation of their horses
1t was argued that the troopers could ride
to Camp Meldrim from their respective
homes, which they did, and relieve this
great state of ours of the enormous ex-
pense which would have been placed upon
her of transporting the horses by rail.
While witnessing the display yester-
day, another thought came to my mind,
for the reasons given above 1 was of the
decided opinion that il should be adopted
as a permanent camp ground for the cav
airy and the artillery Of the state. Out
side of the Fifth regiment of cavalry, we
have but one other cavalry command in
the state, the First battalion composed
of the Governors Horse Guards,
Atlanta. The Richmond Hussars
of Augusta, the Troupe Hussars and the
La Grange company
"Of artillery we have but two batteries
in the state, and for some years past they
have been required to go into camp with
out horses. Consequently they could dc
nothing but instruct their men simply in
the manual of the piece; If they have their
horses, the instruction could be extended
to field movements, which is quite impor.
tant. 1t may cost little to transport the
horses of the First Cavalry battalion and
the Atlanta Artillery TO Camp Meldrim
but 1 am sure the benefits to be obtained
from such an arrangement would more
than Offset the trifiing expense which
would be incurred. At any rate. feel if it
could not be done otherwise, there should
be a curtailment of the expenses in some
other way that this object might be ac-
compllshed.
These are my views and 1 give them for
what they may be worth
A pleasing incident of Col. Reilly's visit
to Camp Atkinson was that he was in ro-
duced to the captain Of Burke county
troop. At first Col Reilly did not recog-
nize the gentleman, but on looking at him
for little time recognized him as one
of the representatives from Burke county
who rendered him valuable assistance on
the floor of the House in getting through
the bill making the first appropriation
ever made by the state in the interest OF
the volunteer militia of the state, and
which established the annual encamp-
ments. During their services in the House
Capt. Davis and himself became very firm
and strong friends.