The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-05-11
Our Clarendon Boys in Camp.
South Carolina Volunteers,
Fair Grounds, Columbia. s. c.,
Nov 1903


The Manning Guards reached here safe
and sound about 1890 o'clock last Thurs
day afternoon We were joined IN Sumter
by the Darlington Guards and the Sumter
Light Infantry. Our train being crowded,
the two last mentioned companies came IN
on special.
All of Sumter seemed to be at the depot
and cheer alter cheer was given US. Our
boys responded with a yell which some
xaid the Spaniards heard in Cuba. The
Sumter boys and those lovely girls rushed
in to speak and say goodbye to their
friends from Manning. To their surprise
md disappointment only two could be
found-onr captain and lst lieutenant
who are. by the way, originally FROM the
country.
The boys, married and single. cannot
stop talking about those young ladies who
came down the line just before we left
and gave US their hand with words Of cheer
and comfort.
How do those boys feel whom We left be-
hind that are still members of the company?
Some We know could have joined US. We
gave up our all, why should they not have
done the same? This question must be
answered and settled by thei: own con-
sciences. Some Of the boys proposed to
send them mother-hubbards and bounets,
but this will not be done. lis said the
young ladies of Sumter are going to pre-
sent each young man IN that town with
this very important dress
We are quartered on the second floor Of
the main building at the talr grounds.
This is much better than expected. About
750 men are in these barracks. 4 large
number are camped out at Hyatt's Park.
Our lst lieutenant regrets that We were not
sent there His reason IS good one-a
Young lady friend OF his lives ont there.
Souvenirs that were brought over with US
from home are too numerous to mention
save one-a young lady gave her glove to q
Young man to keep until be returns. What
does this mean? He cannot explain it him
SELF
We had one battle yesterday; all were
wounded with two eIceptions-the captain
and Private Cockerill, each of these having
been vaccinated last winter. The boys all
say they would rather do double duty. But
such are the trials and hardships of the
Spanish-Americsn war.
We will all be examined physically next
week and those having defective eyeslght
etc, will be sent back home to their loved
ones. Not one man in the company will
rejoice if he is rejected.
New men are coming il dailv-tour new
ones to-day. Some of the boys say to those
who apply, Boys. we have the best looking
captain on the ground, besides he is Cit
adel graduate"
Everything Is now under strict military
discipline. Only few have been out ii
- To- Sor
Our boys, being uniformed, were given
guard duty to perform the first nigh
This, of course, is not pleasant in such a
rain as We had up here yesterday.
The boys tell rich one on Iom Stukes,
who is the life Of the company. He was
put on post and instructed to allow no one
to pass. Al old hen crossed his post; he
would not allow her small chicks to follow,
but informed some Of the boys standing
nearby to keep their eyes on her, as be
was now living on "stewed accidents.
All the boys are enjoying good health.
They will all attend divine services to-
morrow at the different churches in the
city.
We must have at least twenty more men
to hold the organization. Let every one
that has the interest of the company at
heart send us a man. We will lose few
men on the examination and will be al
lowed ten days to recruit up to eighty-four.
What we have to eat, the captain says. IS
Just as good as he had at the Citadel 50 our
friends can rest satisfied We will not starVe.
l will give you all the news every week,
and, of course, will expect few copies of
your paper
Yours truly