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


GERS mess in long tent, where two long
tables had been improvised with three
long boards on each. It was early and
the quartermaster had not yet secured
the table cloth made of long strips of
muslin, which he had in use later.
Three tallow candles fastened by melt
ing a part of them and then sticking
the smooth end to the table by the help
of the warm tallOw, furnished the light
for each table, which was adorned beside
in brand new plate, spoon, knife and
fork and twin pepper and salt stands.
The colored man who waited on
the table served everybody with a large
tin plate on which was a piece of beef
steak and two potatoes boiled in their
jackets. A quart tin cup. also new,more
than half filed with coffee, completed
| the menu, which Captain Cavenaugh,
who sat next to me informed me an
| swered the requirements of the compo-
nent parts of ration.
Major General Hughes is always busy
and is not even prompt at mess.
After awhile he gets around and joins
in the merry conversation.
Some of the old timers tell how natu-
raj this looks, and then Adjutant Gene
raj Fox asks me if it doesn't seem strange
to be the only lady, but enjoy the nov
city as best may.
"You will meet Mrs. Weiser, wife of
| Major Weiser, field officer of the Second,
when we go over there" he says.
After supper many even of the officers
| change their uniforms for something
lighter, and a little party of US stroll
| over to the headquarters of the Second.
! There l am introduced and warmly
| greeted by Colonel P NJ. Hoisington,
| who says "we are pleased and honored to
receive you as daughter of the regi-
ment."
AS I try to express my gratitude for
the honor shown me, l suggest that sis
/ ter or even mother might be more ap-
| propriate, as some of the boys look very
| young, but General Coroett says that is
| all right you are the daughter, | am the
| father of the Second"
Then 1 am introduced to Mrs. G. II.
| Weiser of Eureka, whose husband is
Major Weiser of the Second, and am in
vited to share her tent She has never
been in camp before, either, and is en-
joying it as much as am.
The night is perfect with its delight
full breeze and it's bright moonshine,
which render the big electric lights all
over camp almost unnecessary, and the
| temptation to sit out in the heavy dew
and talk, in spite of the mosquitoes, is
| irresistible.
Already the sentries have made cur
tains to their hats of their handkerchief
and we who have the use of our hands
are fighting the pests.
"We must see the eclipse" says Cap
tain Cavenaugh, $50 let's walk around
camp little first" Colonel Hosington
| says, "Daug hter, of course you'll camp and
mess with us, and we gladly extend you
the freedom of the camp" l thank
him and accept the invitation and
then we all rise and stroll leis-
urely by the officers tents on the
west and the privates' on the east,
toward division headquarters again.
Some of the latter have the
curtains drawn ana their occupants are
outlined in shadowy silhouettes on the
canvas. In others the candles are not
lighted and the men can be seen lying
about on the grass telling stories. smok
ing or singing.
In the southeast corner the strains of
''Tenting Out Tonight On the OLD Camp
Ground" float up from a guitar accom-
panied by a strong masculine voice.
81 like to hear that old air." says a
member of the party. "There, ma jor,
that is modern enough to suit you bet
ter" says another as a quartette passes
US singing "The Band Played On
Just in front of US is an unusual com
motion; shouts and laughter, and as we
draw near we see young man being
tossed far into the air on tent fly on
which he is caught as he comes down,
''He is being initiated" says Adj utant
General Fox, "but don't be scared, you'll
be spared that"
should hope so. AS the sentries salute
the officers Captain Cavenaugh suggests
that l take notes, as Pm to be furnished
| with a cap and must learn to salute my
superior officers.
Just then a young man comes up and
salutes by placing his arm bent at the
| elbow square across his chest, and I'm
told that is sergeant's salute.
Curious crowds of citizens are loiter-
ing here and there, and it is suggested
that military discipline will be stricter
tomorrow.
At division headquarters we find Gen
eral Hughes still busy, but he later joins
us as we sit around near the tents and
listen to Major Haskell, who has seen
many years of service in the regular
army and tells of it in the most delight
fully entertaining manner
Then the eclipse comes on and is dis.
cussed and admired, and at an hour
which is a bad example for soldier we
start back for the Seconds headquarters
Major and Mrs. Weiser and l, though
General Hughes insists that occupy
the tent he has reserved for me.
But l belong to the Second and Mrs
, Weiser is the only lady I have met yet
though l learn later there are four in
camp with the Third.
We find nearly everybody quiet about
our tent, which is about ten by six feet as
: near as l can judge. though Pm not {
l good judge OF measurements.
There is a cot on each side and on each
} cot blanket and pillow.
} A small stand, Mrs. Weiser's trunk anG
my valise complete the furniture, if
} except a tin basin and a canteen which
learn next morning make a necessary
and appreciated combination. If you
| have never been limited to a half can
| teen of water in which to perform youl
morning abiutons you have missed the
rich feeling you might enjoy the frs
time you turned on the hydrant aftel
anoh an