Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-06-01
LIFE IN CA1P.
Details OF Camp Life as Viewed by One of the
Soldiers of Company L..
CAMP SMITH, May %, 1898.


The First Montana regiment OF vol
unteers will leave tomorrow for San
Francisco. Arrangements have all
been completed for transporting the
soldiers to that point via the Oregon
Short Line, it is said, and by h etime
this missive reaches you we will be IN
route for Golden Gate harbor. The
change will be welcomed by all as a
relief from the monotony OF two
weeks of rain and clouded skies.
There is much speculation as to the
time the regiment will remain quar-
tered at the Preside in san Fran
cisco. Not n few think we will beor-
dered for service in the Philippines
with the least possible delay. but per-
sonally | do not subscribe to his
view. In conversation with Battal-
ion Adiutant Brown, a few daysago,
he stated to me that Lieut.. Wallace
had expressed the opinion that the
b~est-drilled regiments of those mo-
bilized at San Francisco would be as
signed for immediate duty in the Phil
ippines, and that the remaining reGi-
mcnts would be reserved as the army
of occupation. This theory is plaus
IDLE. Whether the First Montana
will be among the first selected is
problcmatic. As yet we have had
but few opportunities for regimental
drill, owing To the inclcmcncy of the
weather, but have already developed
a high degree OF proficiency. 1t may
be that other regiments from the IA
rious western quotas of volunteers
will show up to better advantage
than the First Montana. but it is use
less to discuss this question until we
have arrived upon the ground.
The few fine days that w haveh had
have been utilized to the utmost in
drill and various military evolutions.
The different companies have been
formed into battalions, in command
OF Il major. Company / has been as
signed to the third battalion, in
charge OF Major Miller. This popular
officer is an old and experienced ma
tional guardsman, having arisen
through various gradations until
promoted by the governor to the
highly honorable and conspicuous
rank of major in the volunteer army.
His ~capability in handling a battal-
ion of men, consisting of four COM
panies, is apparent to the veriest tyro
in military matters, and he is certain
to make IA record of which anv army
officer would be proud. i am in
formed that Major Miller will pres
emily forsake the infantry for a higher
rank in the cavalry, but am 10th to
believe the report true, as his trans
fer would be a matter of universal re-
greet among the men under his COM
mand.
Last Saturday evening the regi-
ment was drawn III on the parade
grounds in the form OF battalions for
the purpose OF receiving the regi-
mental flag presented by the ladies OF
Helena. Representation speech was
made by Miss Sanders, a sister of
Senator Sanders, and was tittingly
responded to- by Col. Kessler. One of
the Butte companies was detailed to
carry the flag, who bore away the
trophy in triumph to the music of the
regimental band. 1t may be said, in
passing, that this musical organiza-
ton has just recently been formed,
and constitutes an attractive feature
OF the Montana contingent of sol
diers. William Shugart, Fred Hall
and one or two Others from Company
j are members of the band. On this
particular occasion the band dis
coursed excellent music and added
greatly to the impressiveness OF the
presentation ceremonies.
Company l is beginning to make an
excellent record for itself. Lewistown
should be proud of the intrepid sol
dier boys which she sen forth to bat
tie for the country's honor. Com
pany l has been noticed, both Off
cially n otherwise, in many little
ways, the press comments being par
ticularly flattering. 1t would require
more space than l AVE at my COM
mand to mention the individual
traits and characteristics of the men
whose names appear in the roster of
our company, and it is noted by the
observant that almost every
GELS in something. Sergeant dutch"
Barrows and Private Ritch are the
fun-makers of the company; they
fairly set the mess table in a roar
with their comical sayings, and they
are always playing curious pranks.
Quartermaster Sergeant Cheadle is
the recognized oracle upon all mat
tiers OF civic and military concern;
Corporal Pfaus and Sergeant Stod-
dard are hail fellows, well met"
and dispense their hospitality with a
lavish hand; Sergeant ShauIes is a
masher; and First Sergeant Barton,
among his other m~ultitudinOus du