The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-18
The Volunteer Troops do Not
Suffer for Lack of Sermons.

Columbia, May 15.-Suoday has
been a quiet aud uoeventfal day in
camp The South Carolioa volunteers
had warm day of it. They we're
allowed all possible liberty. Those
who did nos attend church services were
pu. oo guard duty. The men at the
upper aud Auditorium camps attended
divine services at the Auditorium,
where Chaplain Bassey conducted SER
vices. The companies at the Fair
ground camp we're cent to tie various
city churches in the moruing, and at 4
o'clock this afternoon Chaplain Bussey
conducted services 10 the Agricultural
Hall.
Sunday is a welcome day in camp.
except to those who have to 60 on guard
duty. The men generally take things
easy, lounge about their tents. brush
up, take baths, shave each other, sing.
play and Chat with each other or
the visitors so anxious to have the
pleasure Of talking to soldier boys.
The throng of visitors vas as large as
last Sunday. if oos larger. Every
etreet car was crowded to its utmost
capacity, every vehicle and bicycle in
the city vss bound nor,hwa.d. going to
either The Fair ground camp or the
Highlaud Psrk The great pleasure
of the excursion was marred by the
volcmes of dust aud the heat, but that
rade bu, little difference to those going
to see the Csrol;oa troops The soldiers
we're glad to see the visitors, very glad.
but they will be more delighted when
they are in their uniforms aud look
little more like real soldiers just now
it is badly mixed aggregation Of dress
There are men 10 line with haadker
chiefs around their nscks, others with
celIuloid collars, some few have found
obsolete paper collars, many are wear.
ing flannel or .biled" ehirts, aud fe1
are having their laundry work done
With toe Chinese Count So it is With
the uoiforms sud clothing; it is about
as varied 40 assortment as could very
vel! be fouod on the clothing bargain
counters. The men are all anxious for
their uniforme. The qaa'ermas'er's
department has not beard word aboa:
tho uoiforms, and there ie 90 intimatioo
as to when they will be received. A
complete complement Of uniforms have
to be sent here to properly equip the
troops frou this State.
SWAPPING COMP PANIES.
There is prsnouscsd and emphatic
protest aoou. men leaving one company
and going to auothcr. Tas practice
has been going on fer some time. and
seems to be oo tbs increase. 1t is ez-
oessively aggravasiog, aud soue of the
captains ere open in their complaint
and say tha. the enticipg Of men frcn
one company to another is the most
truisfol source of discomfort and demon
alizaticn. Companies With their quotas
pearly made up have lost meu By their
going u ether companies. The worst
trouble, however. is that where coupa-
MICS are weak in nonbars the men are
tempted TO join other companies which
are ebout to muster TO- aad tbs certain
~ .; heiag III nsserei in and tee com
alencemena of pay has been 80 iadcce
ueut to maoy. Last nigh' Major
y:ioup,on tried to have en- example
,naae auG sent for youog uan who
bad joined Zoe Dse;:asto Guards aud
who had gone 10 tie R;ch:aoa Veina
,erls Tae young nsn said &c had
e,.nrd 30 esi.st1na apt With tic Das'!ag-
ioa CEN paw. aud preferred 70 renaln
w:::h ,oe Rieh,pd Volunteers, aaS
there seemed to be 90 way
to make him return to bis original com
maud, which does not GOV need bin
The Ricaland Volunteers. on the other
.hapd. lost eight men IN bunch. who