Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-09
AT CAMP KETCHUM.
The First Separate Encampment of Artillery in
the History of the State instruction
in Target Practice.

Mobile Register, Tuesday.
For the first time in the history of Ala
bama the artillery division of the state
troops is in camp at Frascati as a sepa-
rate battalion. Heretofore the three bat
terfes of artillery have camped with the
infantry regiments. By an act of the last
legislature there was a reorganization of
the troops and artillery and cavalry bat
talions were formed. These battalions
were empowered to elect their officers and
to serve as distinct and separate divi-
sions In accordance with many regula-
lions. 1I
The camp has been named William H.
Ketchum. This is a graceful tribute to
the memory of one whose name is in
delibly linked with the heroism of the
Alabama state artillery during the late
war. 1t is, therefore, fitting that the first
separate camp of artillery held in Ala
bama should perpetuate the name of the
gallant commander of Ketchum's bat
terry.
The First Artillery" as it is styled by
the act creating the battalion, consists of
Battery A, Alabama state artillery, Mo-
bile; Battery B, Montgomery Field Ar
tillery, and Battery C, Nelson battery,
Selma. pas
The batteries were ordered to be in
camp July 5, and consequently the two
out-of-town companies arrived here Sun
day afternoon. The Selma battery, with
twenty nine men, commanded by Capt. 1.
N. Eddy, reached Mobile by way of the
Mobile and Birmingham road at 1890 p.
M, and the Montgomery company came
in on a regular Louisville and Nashville
passenger train an hour later. The Capt.
tai City boys are forty-eight strong, with
Capt. S. T. Westcott in command.
Both of the out-of-town companies re-
paired to the camp ground Immediately
after their arrival and in true soldier
fashion pitched their tents and made
their own camp. Later in the afternoon
the Mobile battery went into camp with
big company. They, too, stretched
their tents without the aid of a quarter
masters corps of laborers.
Maj. A. "A. Clisby, who commands the
First artillery, has been i'll at his home in
Montgomery for nearly year and will
| be unable to be present In his absence
| the camp is in charge of Capt r. H.
| Scales of the Alabama State artillery,
| the senior captain of the battalion. The
act creating the First artillery does not
provide for staff officers, but the follow
ing have been detached to serve on the
staff of Captain Scales, who is acting
major during the camp: IL.
Capt. John F. Powers, ,commissary
| Lieut.. w. l.. Peters, Jr., adjutant; Lieut.
| c. w. Soost, quartermaster; Sergeant
| Gault of Montgomery, sergeant major.
Capt. James A. Abrahams, surgeon,
and Seargent Peters, hospital steward,
1 OF tile luldHtiy, nave fOidhlcCt GU
| their services and are also acting on the
staff of Captain Scales.x -.
| At z o'clock Sunday evening the camp
| had been installed and the first dress
parade of the red-uniformed boys was
held. After the reading of the following
| orders retreat was sounded and the
| brand new flag of the Alabama State sr-
tiliery was flung to the breeze and then
| lowered from it's standard:
| Headquarters First Battalion Artillery.
| Alabama State Troops.
| General Order No. 5:
| In memory of a brave soldier and a
| good citizen this camp will be called
Camp william H. Ketchum.
BY order of Captain Scales, command
| ing Artillery battalion. Alabama state
| troops. w. L. PITTS, Jr.,
| Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant.
| Headquarters First Artillery Battalion.
/ Camp William III. Ketchum July 8.
| The following calls will be observed:
/ Reveille s a. MI assembly, 5:15 a. M /;
| police, $50 q. M: surgeons, 5:45 a.. m;
guard mount, a. M; assembly, 6:lb a.
m; first sergeants'. a. M; breakfast,
| tbs a. M; battery drill, a. M; recall,
| a. M; officers school. 10 a. M; first SER
| geants call, IL M; dinner, p. m; bat
| terry drill, first CALL p. M; assembly,
| 5:15 p. M; retreat, first call, 6:45 p. M;
| assembly, z p. M: supper, 7;15 p. M;
| call to quarters, 10:45 p. M; taps. IL p.
m.
| Yesterday was devoted to instruction,
| and the men were given to understand
| that they are in camp for business Two
sessions of the officers school were held
| and there were several battery drills.
/ There will be no dress parade In the at
| ternoon. Captain Scales says that this Is
| not portion of artillery tactics. Bat
| terry drills will be held this afternoon and
| visitors will be. permitted to enter the
camp any hour during the day. The
| guard will not be very stringent and each
| company will perform its own park
| guard. Captain Scales says that with
| only about 100 men hesexpects to observe
| guard duties.
The camp is located on the ground re-
Gently occupied by the First infantry,