New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-20
GUARDsMEN PITCH CAMP.
THE STATE TROOPS BEGIN THEIR AN
NUAL TRAINING AT PEEKsK1LL.


A VALUABLE PRACTICAL SCHOOL. WHOSE ONLY
DEFECT IS ITS INADEQUATE SIZE
AND DURATION.
The state Camp of instruction. which was
formally opened for the season yesterday by the
7th Regiment, is one Of the features in connec-
ton with the citizen sodery regarding which
there is no difference Of opinion among the men,
bers. The camp is looked upon as valuable
school, and the only points upon which complaint
is heard are that its advantages cannot be en-
joyed often enough by the various commands
that the grounds are too small and that the
tours must be short.
When the movement to give the members OF
the National Guard a limited amount Of camp
duty every year suggested. and when the
measure took form under Governor Cornell. the
camp crude and incomplete thing. 1t Is
doubtful whether the first years did much good
beyond laying the foundation for efficient work
Under the direction of General Josiah Porter the
camp improved every year. and the results Of the
training received there made themselves mani
fest in the better discipline and the more soldier
ly bearing Of the men, After fifteen years the
reservation at Peekskill is looked upon as a
model camp OF instruction. although its manage
ment during the last season severely criti
cised by officers who constantly on the
spot. but powerless TO right the wrongs. The
most severe critic was Brigadier- General Fred
erick c. McLewee, Inspector general on the staff
Of Governor Morton, who accused the officers in
command Of conduct which was detrimental to
good discipline and conducive to bad results In
the Guard. General McLewee's criticism result
ed. as is we'll known. in his dismissal from the
service a few hours before the expiration Of his
term and after nearly twenty five years service
in the National Guard. The note of warning
which he sounded. although it cost him his COM
mission, has been needed by the present admin
istration. and it is believed that the post COM
mander this year will profit by the errors OF his
predecessor General +. A. McAlpin.
THE NEW POST COMMANDER.
The post commander will be Adjutant-General
fillinghast who has had no experience as COM
mander Of a large body Of men. His highest
office before being appointed by Governor Black
70 the one he now holds lieutenant in one
Of the separate companies of Troy, n. y lie VIII
be assisted. however, by some men who have
served in camp for years and thoroughly
familiar with the routine. officers of the Ma
tional Guard think that if he will allow them to
do the work the camp will be well managed. Ma
1or Horatio p Stackpole. of the 10th Battalion,
will be the post adjutant, and Colonel Joseph d.
Story will again act as post quartefmaster, com
missary and ordnance officer. Major r. NJ.
Harding. 74th Regiment and Captain II. c. Lyon.
T4th Regiment, will be the inspectors Of drill.
Major n. r. Thurston, 22d Regiment will act as
guard instructor. and Lieutenant A. r. Robert
son. 74th Regiment and NJ. w. Crosby. LIST Sep
arate Company, will be assistant guard instruc-
tors. The War Department will be represented
by Captain r. F.. Hardin, 18th United States In
fantry.
y Inspector
of Drills in the camps of 1895 and 1896, and
Major Frederick r. Lee. who filled the place of
Inspector of Post during the same time. Will not
be in camp this season. Many officers think that
II was a mistake on the part Of the Adjutant-
General to appoint other officers to the places
which they had filed satisfactorily and at no
cost to the State beyond their subsistence
The duties which Major Lee performed last
year will be assumed this year by the various
officers Of the day. 1t will be impossible for the
officers to discharge the duties of Inspector
properly-they will not have the time-and the
shortcomings OF the camping troops are not likely
10 be criticised so severely by one of their own
as by an independent officer. This is the first
year in the history of the State camp that there
has been no inspection officer from headquarters
OF the State Reservation.
Major James 3. Burbank, L. S. A., will also
be In camp again this season.
The camp was opened last year by the Sth
Regiment on June q. and was closed on August
10 when the artillery arm of the service finished
its tour Of week.
Whatever the work in camp may be, however
bad the weather, the men always enjoy the out
ing and manage TO crowd much amusement into
the short camp season. The reservation the
Hudson is so beautifully situated and makes
such fine picture with it's streets of tents great
mess hail. parade ground and the panorama of
the Hudson, that those who come there in the
service OF the State dislike to leave when the
relieving regiment marches up the dusty hill
from Roa Hook.
KNOWING VETERANS AND RAW RECRUITS.
There are men In camp to-day to whom the
place is an open book They have been there
often and know all about the camp and its sur
roundings They can find their way blindfolded
10 the Y NJ. c. A. tent TO the place on the
camp border where contraband merchandise Of
the moist kind is dispensed, and still they see
picture is doubly interesting. and from the time
he steps from the train at Roa Hook until he
hears taps" and the weird echo from the tow
ering Dunderberg the first day in camp is a
series Of inspiring experiences.
The camp work proper begins tomorrow, and
that man must be up and doing TO keep abreast
Of his comrades may be seen from the following
official schedule:
First call for reveie. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 4:55 "a m
Assembly for rolcai. Immediately after revelle
s'ck caH ~ @ ~
EoIcal III