The San Francisco call., 1896-11-23
First Brigade.

EtrsC Brigade.
SAN BERNARDINO, CAL, Nov 49,
The war is over, the battle won and Com
pany K, Seventh Regiment, is home again,
safe. sound and happy. The emergency
call came last Saturday November 14), at
1:45 P. N. In just one hour and forty-fve
minutes forty-tive men had reported for
duty, some of them having been sum-
moned from distance of six miles, and
were in line ready to march. Every man
was in heavy marching order, with
blanket, canteen filed with water, haver-
sack containing one days rations, con-
slsting of bread, meat, beans, coffee, salt
and pepper; knife, 1ork, spoon, tin cup
and meat-ration can, twenty rounds of
ball cartridges and his rife, as per instruc-
Iions from superior headquarters.
The streets in and around the armory
were crowded with people asking ques-
tions, wondering what 1t all meant and
many of them commencing the boys for
their prompt response to the call. The
old Grand Army men were everywhere in
the crowd, some of them coming into the
armory to watch the boys making their
preparations and best of all cheering the m
as they marched away-where, none of
them knew or hardly asked.
Promptly at $3.50 P. NJ. the command was
marched out to the street by Lieutenant
Sloat and turned over to Captain Goff
Fours right. march; the men swing into
place and the company Is Off Down E
street and out into the open country over
a dusty and very sandy road for nearly
five miles, then up through Richie Can
yon for three miles to the Heron ranch
where they arrived at 6:25 P. NJ. No time
was lost in pitching camp. Four men from
each squad were detailed to procure wood
and water and four to pitch the tents. At
7o'clock every tent was in place, fires
lighted and supper well under way. A
temporary guard was thrown out immedi-
aIely upon arrival. and every man buckled
to his work with will. Company G of
Redlands arrived about 7:15 P. NJ, and M
of Riverside at P. NJ. Guard was mounted
as soon as all the companies were in camp
and every one settled DOWN to rest and
sleep at 10:45 P. M, when taps were blown.
The regular routine of camp duties was
taken up In the morning. No time was
given for recreation, but all stood up to
their work like soldiers. Camp was stru ok
at 2:45 P. NJ. 1t was an inspiring sight.
At the last note of retreat shot was fired
as q signal to strike tents, and in Just five
minutes every tent was own, rolled, tied,
and with the poles loaded In the wagons.
1t was quick work, but old K can do quick
work when necessary.
The homeward march was commenced
at 2:55 P. M, ana in Just TWO hours and
nine minutes Company K was IN its
armory, having covered the eight miles
without mishap or accident of any kind
and every man carrying his entire equip
ment as on the outward march. Not a
word of complaint was heard from any
man during the outing, and the fact that
forty-one of the forty-five men who made
the trip reported 1T roll call on Monday
evening is the best evidence that the men
were in first-class condition upon their ar
rival home
The emergency call was success SO far
as Company K is concerned, and there Is
no doubt that it will eventually re-
dound to the benefit of the entire guard.
1t has certainly shown how badly they are
in need of blankets and overcoats, and it is
to be hoped they will be furnished with
out unnecessary delay. As a walkist Cap
tain Golf can take the belt.
Camp Berry developed any number OF
good cooks, for cook must be good who
car eat his own creations.
Lieutenants Sloat and Seccombe came
up smiling at every watering place.
Corporal Irving says the muddy river is
not in it with this trip.
Private Lyster forgot his white vest, so
could not mash queen bees.
Major J. w. f. Diss. inspector First
Brigade. camped with the men, and his
seport will be anxiously looked for.
Major Frank G. Prescott was in COM
nand of the camp, with Lieutenant Highly
as battalion adiutant.
Second Brigade.
The Second Brigade was not included in