The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-02
SOLDIER BOYS
SUNDAY.
It Was as Quiet as Week
Day With the Regu-
larlSOldierS.

hearts ana relatives OF th9 guardsmen. but
the usual lightheartedIess incident to an
encampment was noticeable by Its absence.
In Its place there was a suppression Of
spirits which told plainly that the men
were there for war duty, and that this
might be the last time the soldier boy
would see his dear ones. During the day
officer and private could DO seen with q
wife, mother or sweetheart by his side
walking slowly along talking in quiet sub.
dued tones OF sitting quietly in front Of
the tent.
When the tattoo was sounded at $50
this evening and the time for leave taking
came.Ihere were many touching and path
etc farowells.
The scenes In the officers quarters and
company streets during the entire day
were decidedly interesting The women
who call to see their warriors certainly
Ing, though most Of them brought some
sort of added relish with them. They rev.
eled In the sight of great wagon loads Of
bread and big platters Of moat, but they
bewalled tho absence Of butter, depl ored
the dearth OF tent lloors.and wondered how
In the world those poor fellows managed
to sleep with nothing but blankets and
straw under them.
Service WAS held by Chaplain Munson
during the day. but not all the soldiers at.
tended. 1t was the first service Of camp.
The chaplain took his text from Joshua
xiv, IA. Nov therefore fear the lord.
Serve him In sincerity and truth"
CHAPLAIN MUNsoN's SERMON.
In his Introduction the preacher said:
1--WE are assembled here under the shadow
OF the old glory, members of First Della
ware Infantry, to take part In q service,
the like Of which has not boon seen in our
land for thirty years or more So long
has peace reigned that the people really
thought war was to be one Of the forgotten
arts, as far rs we were concerned We
have been called from paths of peace to
tnke up arms and learn the science OF
war. Tho conflict we are engaged in is q
peculiar one. l do not recall that in all
history there has been such another. 1t is
not m international strife, war Of con-
qnest. but for justice to the oppressed,
prompted by the teachings of Christian.
ity.
Two in tho army and navy are honored
and favored to BIO engaged in this conflict.
1t is IN honorable service In Europe
Kings and Queens thrones are upheld
and the titled class defended. The armies
of this country uphold he government of
the people, by the people and for the peo-
pie. No earthly services is more honorable
or better The service of God is much
better and higher service. In closing
Chaplain Muuson prayed for blessing
for he soldiers and sailors and for strength
that they might fight manlully in time Of
trouble.
There was Iaxity Of discipline for tho
benefit Of men whose friends had come 10
camp and there was little infringement
of discipline on the part of others whose
friends did not come to see them, and who
sought company outside the guard lines
only, however, to faIl into The hands of
the provost guard and be escorted back to
camp.
Captain Carter of Company A. was Of
fcer of the day. Guard mount was tho
only drill Of tho day. During the morning
Colonel Wickershum, Lieutenant Colonel
Stevenson, Mayor Townsend, Colonel
Boyd Colonel Stacey and Adjutant Dunn
ms ected the men.
The muster Of tho new men into the
United States service will begin by Tues
day.
Lieutenant Foreman Of Company A who
on saturday acted as assistant to Colonel
PostIes ut the rifle range, will have 500
yard range built Tomorrow. At the tar
GET practice yesterday some of tho mon
made Il splendid showing. This is par
ticularly true Of the new recruits.
The regimen'al fife and drum corps has
received n box of good things from an I'M
known friend and wish to return thanks.
A corporal and squad made raid on tho
two barroon' in Middletown last night but
did not find any of the euardSmcu there.
Tbs boys arc recovering from the colds
and many arc getting fat.
About 800 whvelmcn from Wilmington
and Newark were present.. The Whining
: v,In lI,h IA, h,, u
Most Of them scattered around the camp
and Sp mt the day with the club lEel III
Company a.
TN" ques ion Of what will become Of the
National Guard Of the State is being agi-
tatnu, ana plans will probably be made to
form neg Guard. Less than 20 OF the
Gulrd.mcn remain in this city, and the
highest ranking officer is Captain John NJ.
Curtis, who Is securing recruits. The
Laurel, Wyoming, Milford and Harring
ton COmpnne, remain almost intact. and
these, with tho new com panies which win
probably be organized here, will compose
the guard which may DO needed for home
drf'nsa
Adjutnnt Dunn and Lieutenant Bootes
~ expected to be mustered into national
duiy to-day, but Lieutenant Bootes says
they Will not volunteer vuless guarantee
IL given that all the staff officers will DO
mustered into service.
Private Lynch. OF Company Z who had
left the camp, was captured by Lieutencnt
Hogur, If Company q and the latter was
uWhrtied 50.
ANIsIT TO CAMP
Mr.. EDITOR:-Thore ha, been so many
conflicting reports ha5 our soldier boys at
M!Idlelown were suffering from mis-
management, exposure and hunger, the
undersigned Fathers took the Sl3
train on Friday morning, April 29,h for
Middletown. On sur arrival at the sta
ton, we met Sergeant Reed who gave
us n soldiers welcome. We of course were
anxious for nows from the camp of the
boys welfare. We began to question the
sergeant about food and comforts of tho
camp He took us to tho Commissary
Department and showed us what was
given out for rntion that is what we call
bill of faro. 1t consisted u ham, fresh
beef rice, coffee fresh bread sugar, pota-
toes and beans, all first class and all right
Then | inquired tho way to Camp Tun.
nell and started. The road leading to tho
camp, because of the lnCesSant rains was
very bad. 1t was the only thing correctly
reported. 1t was n mean road but by
keeping over in tho fields we got there and
was not so very muddy after all. The
campis pitched in fairly high ground and
ID in good condition when you consider
the great rain storm and snow. When
VIC arrived at the guard line the guard
commanded US to halt, word we have
beef familiar with before. We stated our
business ami he called out Corporal of
tho Guard, Post 4 !" when the little cor
pOral came we informed him we wanted
to SEQ Capt. Carter Of Co. A, who was
well acquainted with one Of orr party Mr.
Lamborn. sllo he5itatcd at first making
this inquiry, do you want to take my
boys hUlnef'
Being satisfied on that question wo were
admitted and taken to the tents Of the
boys. They were comfortable and well
fixed for soldiers. The boys were in fine
spirits and fine set Of young men, and
va don wonder that the captain did not
want to loose one Of them, They were
buys OF good character and of good famil-
les. and some Of them young business
mon As far rs we could learn, the whole
National Guard We're good men and
worthy Of confidence. OF course we will
coniino our remarks to Company A. We
we've delighted with the courtcsios of tho
commissioned officers Colonel Wicker
sham, Lieutenant Colonel Stevenson,
Captain Carter, Lieutenant Cotton and
Foreman. Thuy made us feel welcome
When the dinner call was sounded and the
boys foil in for rntOns it reminded MS of
other days The rations served consisted
OF bread beef fried potatoes, coffee but.
Ter rca and milk.
This Is without doubt good dinner
for a soldier We joined them in the dis
tribution and enjoyed the fare hugely and