The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-20

Uniforms Distributed During a Very
Hot Day.

Uniforms Distributed During a Very
Hot Day.
The sun roasted Camp Mount to a turn
yesterday, and the men kept well in their
quarters to avoid it's merciless rays. The
fair grounds contained a regiment of men
languidly existing only. The guards sought
the most restful postures, some leaning
against trees and some reclining on the
grass. 1t was too warm for them to be-
come exasperated at those who tried to get
through the lines; they drawled out their
calls for the corporal of the guard Those
OF the men who received uniforms before
the time for company drills put them on
and buttoned the blouses up to their
threats. They were proud enough of the
bright, new uniforms to defy the heat In
the quartermasters department alone were
there busy men. INCREASINGLY through the
day equipment was dealt out to the soldiers
and the voice of the man checking up as
the uniforms were handed over the counters
sounded without intermission. At head
quarters yesterday was day for yawning
and lolling on the veranda, where a cool
ing breeze found its way once in a while.
The colored soldiers were the first to re-
ceive trousers. The joy of at last having
full uniforms was doubled when they dis
covered that their white comrades did not
get trousers when the rest of their cloth
ing was dealt out to them. Later in the
day, however, another consignment of trous-
ers arrived, and there were enough to fit
out everybody. On the other hand, the
white soldiers received leggins and "swag-
GER campaign hats while the colored men
did not 1t was high time the clothing
equipment was arriving. Some of the boys
feet were on the ground" and the rest of
their clothing was in all degrees of dilapi-
dation. Coats and waistcoats were not per-
mitted, and the men have gone about in
their shirt sleeves. Consequently, the new
blouses were hot and smothery." Never
theleSS they were kept buttoned up, for
were they not Uncle Sans uniforms?
The company drills in the afternoon were
conducted under the trees on the west side
of the grounds The men showed they are
coming around under this daily training to
be more and more like experienced soldiers.
Major Peterson said 1T would be great
some camp of instruction Immediately. In
camp with trained soldiers green men pick
up much military knowledge by associa-
ton. Major Peterson was out inspecting
the companies and worked with them.
Watch the details" he would say. They
are little things but they di go leng way way
heads up. Do not glance about you while
you are in ranks Do not swing your arms.
Do not talk laugh in ranks. The good
soldier not only knows what right by fours'
means, but he knows how to be steady and
careful in ranks"
To the south the colored soldiers were
drilling Their officers called the commands
with true military indistinguisha bleness.
Each command ended with a HUH" that
could be heard all over camp.
In the afternoon a few visitors entered
the camp and wandered through the quar-
tiers. Scattering parties of soldiers and
girls chatted under the trees.
1t was too warm to talk much. 1t was
too warm to speculate on the destination
of the regiment. 1t was too warm to wish
they could get crack at Porto Rico" 1t
was too warm to do anything but the inn
perativo duties and then sit quietly some
place in the shade and catch the breezes,
few and far between.