The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-12
THIRD REGIMENT
IN CAMP A WEEK.
They Have Learned Much About the
War Already.
VIRGINlAN S GROW ClANNlSH.
When on Outpost the Men See Regular
Army Duty and in Every Way Live
as IfThey Were Really in the
Enemy's Country.
VIRGINlAN S GROW CLANNISH.

end of the first week at Camp Aiger
finds the boys of the Third Regiment In
good health and good spirits. after hav-
ing gone through the hardest soldering
since they left their homes month or so
ago.
Camp life here has furnished fair
sample in many ways Of what may be
expected should the regiment be ordered
to some point far distant from washing
ton.
There are many features OF life In
United States military camp well worth
mentioning but one which Is or speclai
interest to the people OF our state is the
cOmradeship which exists between every
Virginia soldier at Camp Alger.
While there were no cross words passed
between the boys OF the different COM
panies and regiments during our pleasant
stay in Richmond yet there was not the
association between the men which Is
found here.
In the capital city every one or nearly
every one found some friend or friends
who made their stay an enjoyable one
and the boys did not find It necessary to
seek otner companies for companlonship'
SOCIAL TIES.
Here the Virginia regiment being en-
camped of to itself with thousands or
strangers from other States gathered on
each side is like a small village where
everybody is friends with everybody else
and the boys have been drawn closer and
closer together until now the regiment
is more like n company to the soldler
BOYS VINO visit one another continually
and often obtain permission from their
company cooks to have their guests dine
with them. This state OF affairs mas con-
tributed in no small degree TO making lie
at Camp Alger less monotonous, though
Il, RunninR
the blockade, which was favorite oc-
cupation at Camp Lee is a dangerous
thing to attempt here and the soldier
who attempts the same is liable 10 get
lost i'm the woods or TO land in the guard
house unaware of the closely drawn line
of sentinels and out posts on every side
of the camp many of the boys risked
their liberty for the pleasure OF going 70
Dunloring Falls Church ami other near
by points but with few exceptions they
all ran into the clutches OF the vigilant
sentinel. who. II he was slack in the per
Torrance of his duty, often let them pass
by unmoIested but who oftener sterniy
called for his corporal. from whose hands
there was no means Of escape.
OUTPOST DUTY.
These outposts are composed OF two
complete battalions, taken from the Diff
erent regiments in camp and are station
ed about half a mile apart. Each sta
ton has at il fourteen or fifteen privates
and two or three sergeants and corporals
whose duty IL is to relieve the men.
The outpost sentinels are sent out with
twenty-four hour rations which consist
of hard-tack as the main article Of food.
They carry with them their blanket and
rubber pouches. the latter OF which IS
used as a tent for sleeping under. Meth
er of the three battalions Of our regiment
has as yet been ordered on this duty
but doubtless our turn will come shortly.
The discovery in the last day or two OF
a beautiful brook about mile from
camp has been boon to our boys who
have found many deep pools where an
elegant bath can be enjoyed and every
evening after supper a crowd starts for
the creek coming back after sun down
feeling much better for a dip in cool,
running water.
ON THEIR TIN TYPES.
The tin type establishment has afford
ed the boys OF the Third much amuse-
ment and they have had pictures taken
in every Imaginable posture. The pho
tographer has stationtd himself In a
large tent near our camp. Lieutenant
Raines, Of Company A, has with him
three or four small dogs which are the
pets Of his company and which are
highly valued by their owner
The boys OF Company H. miss the pres
ence OF Penwiper the big Danish hound
belonging to Captain Rowe. which the
latter left at home when the regiment
passed through last Sunday. The com
pany Is now without a mascot but Will
find one in n short time.
THE MAsCOTS.
The cat ana dog, mascots belonging 10
Captain Masurier's men, were brought
ID frh nd eraf -
ting along finely the two having struck
up strong friendship. Peter and Paul,
the much talked of bull pups of Com
pany d. seem TO find as much pleasure
at Camp Alger as they did at Camp Lee
while the Two roosters OF Company /
crow as loudly and as often as ever
COMPANY II has a whole kennel of dogs
of various descriptions and the ntmber
seems 10 increase each day so it Is
reasonable 10 suppose that dogs will be
missing in the country around here soon.
The prize mascots Of the camp are
claimed by Companies c, q, and i. in
the shape of a very small chicken, a
good natured turtle and a small speck OF
a dog. The chicken has been with Com
pany for long time and there's still
no perceptible increase in its size though
II stays in the kitchen, eats plenty and
looks lively and well
The chick Is not boned up but seems to
know where it's friends are and remains
WITH them.
SLOW BUT SURE.
The turtle of Company g. is unlike the
chicken in one respect ard that is that
he is fast growing bigger every day.
He makes his home in the kitchen tub
and generally stays at the bottom though
he accommodating gly sticks his head out
when wanted by. any OF the boys. The
last OF these three mascots Is the tiny
white terrier Of Company f. Despite the
smallness OF his stature he takes care
OF himself very we'll and has vigorous
way of letting his owners know when he
wants anything. Company l. has perhaps
the prettiest mascot in camp in the shape
of a lovely little water spaniel the pro-
perty Of one of the boys, and In addi-
ton they have two other dogs
ROOSTER CATCHES RABBIT.
Company b is also the proud possessor
of a rooster and OF their dog they tell
marvellous stories. took look at him
to-day and though he is not much larger
than an ordinary rabbit his owners claim
that he has caught twenty-four rabbits
since his stay in camp, four OF which,
they assert, he has brought and present.
ed TO the cook. / give their story for all
II is worth Company +. like Company
X is without a mascot but being so near
their home, Alexandria, the boys should
have no trouble in providing themselves
with one.
The boys are fond Of their mascot pets
and II would go hard with the person
who would make an attempt TO harm
| one of them vahr1feHf
ro WE'LL NOT A SUCCESS.