Evening journal., 1897-05-18
THEY MARCHED AWAY.
United States Regular Soldiers
Rode on to Elkton.
ATTRACTED THOUsANDgoF PEOPLE

ESTIMATED THAT 10000 WHINING
TONIANS VISITED CAMP LEA"
AT SHELLPOT, WHERE THE
REGULARS MANEUVERED-THE
MOUNTED BAND WAS WITH
THEM.
Wilmington people had a good look
at regular United States Army soldiers
in camp and on the march last night
and to-day. The detachment of troops
en- route to Fort Meyer. below Wash
ington, which arrived here early yes
terday afternoon struck tents at s
o'clock this morning and at 8 O'Clock
rode through town and will proceed as
far as Elkton, Md, to-day.
The detachment, comprising the
Sixth United States Cavalry and Bat
terry e. Light Artillery, encamped last
night on the banks Of Shellpct creek
and it was an interesting occasion for
thousands of Wilmingtonians.
From early in the afternoon until af-
ter taps, which were sounded at IL
o'clock, the camp was visited by thou
terest in soldier life, and especially
the way the men ate. The mess was
the principal ATTRACTION, as there was no
drill except the regular guardmount
at sunset.
NEARLY 10000 VISITED "CAMP
LEA"
1t is believed to-day that during the
army's short visit here 10000 people
visited IT, Shortly after o'clock yes
terday afternoon the crowd began 10
go out to the park. as it was announced
that the troops would arrive about 3
o'clock 1t was $3.50 O'Clock when,
with Colonel Sumner at their head, the
troops appeared on the brow OF Penny
Hill. A crowd of several hundred per-
sons filled the roadway and watched
the soldiers pass. The men were Gov
cred with dust and looked tired after
their long ride from Philadelphia.
The camp was pitched in the large
field just south of Shellpot Park, while
the headquarters was made in the ad-
| joining field on the south and over
| looking the whole camp. The camp
was named Camp Lea, in honor OF
Preston Lea, the landlord. Soon there
were over 5000 persons on the ground
WATERING AND FEEDING HORSES
The ceremony of watering and feed
/ ing the stock was watched with great
| interest. BY the time the horses haC
been watered and had been tied to Ions
| ropes stretched the length of the camp
/ the supply wagons had arrived, AT ,
bugle call the canvass, that had beer
lying on the ground, arose, and a few
seconds later the field became a small
white city
A few minutes after 6 o'clock tn
guard mount call was sounded and thl
troopers fell into line. The famous
mounted band, of Fort Meyer had un
packed its instruments, and taking Z
stand in front Of headquarters, pre-
pared for guard mount. The troopers
fell into line and to martial airs, rem
dered by the band, there we're variou!
maneuvers, until the guards had beeI
selected and the first sentinels went Of
duty.
ARMY LIFE AS IT is.
An Evening Journal reporter had .
talk with Captain Brent, of the SiXtl
Cavalry after guard mount last night
Most people have a very unfair ide;
of regular soldiers. They are looked
upon as lazy men who have nothing
10 do but make a show of themselves
| The facts are quite the contrary. The.
are the busiest men outdoors in tn
United States, and nobody does harde
work
There are three hours OF activ
drilling every day, about two hours o
cleaning up-especially in the cavalry
( where each man must have his owl
horse spick and span-abOut two hour
OF some kind of guard duty and an hou
of some kind Of inspection, examina
tion or accounting.
"The men must be regular athlete
and have robust health to do the worl
The army realizes this more than eve
and has fitted up gymnasiums at For
Meyer and all the Western militar
posts.
"There are but ten cavalry regi
ments ana ten of artillery in TN
United States Army, while German
has az least 100 of each.
Uncle Sam does, however, TAX
good care of his troops Some OF thoa
horses you see there are the finest SAD
Idle horses in the world. All In tha
/, column there we're raised especially 70
war horses in Kentucky, and cost SIG
apiece last year. If ! owned my hors
double that money wouldn't buy hin
81 nave been in the service twenty
five years next September, and wit
five more of service will be retired o
full pay"
- ARMY OFFICERS ENTERTAINED
Colonel Sumner, accompanied b
5 Iieutenants Ryan, Helberg, Summe'
! lin and Lott, and Colonel Ralston,
! the Third Regiment, National Guar
i of Pennsylvania, accepted an invit'
= tion of General James II. Wilson
take supper with him at his handson
q home, Just outside OF the city. TT
party was driven to Stockford by Gel
eral Wilson and the return was ma'
about 10 o'clock.
Nearly all the officers were invite
out to supper Lieutenant Harma
Surgeon Arthur and some others we
= entertained by Edward Lea, viii
= Andrew c. Gray entertained Lieutei
s ant II. b. Howe and others, OF q
n West Point graduates. The Wilmin
I ton Club had thrown open its doc
: to the officers and last evening mar