The age-herald., 1898-09-25
AN AFTERNOON
 AT CAMP FALKNER The Lazy Life of a Soldier When Routi 6 Is Abandoned. SUCH AN AIR OF ABANDON That twas Hard to Realize That It Was Really a Military Camp
 Government Rations for
 Ten Days.
SUCH AN AIR OF ABANDON
BY ANNIE KENDRICK WALKER.

BY ANNIE KENDRICK WALKER.
 There has been so much written of the severe discipline of army life that it IS hard to believe that there could come a day in the routine when army regulations were abandoned.
 It was one week yesterday that the First Alabama regiment went in camp at East Lake Army regulations were then rigid ly enforced. Yesterday one could have seen the indolent side of army life. The restric- tions are so lax now-a-days at Camp Falkner that life is almost luxurious in comparison to past discipline when the clear note of reveille might have meant march to the sea. The military regulations are now carried out in desultory man. ner. Yesterday it was a struggling little tented ely that went the even tenor of it's way. The guards on duty strengthened their broad shoulders and looked thorough ly important when one looked their way, but there was no necessity of such formali- ties. The general appearance of the camp would give those who are not familiar with camp life and those who were indifferent to the monotonous routine, some idea of the 1mpatience that the men must have felt awaiting the summons to go forward. The men who are detailed at Camp Falkner have at least the knowledge that in a stated time there will be an end of camp life They are not living on an uncertain ty, and the monotony can not be as tedious as in the days at Miami. The prospect of going to the front created the elements of excitement than that are, of course lack ing, but with this feature eliminated the Ire IS less wearing on account of the relax discipline that now prevails. The sun shone hot through the streets of the camp but it was not the tropical heat that brings levers. The men were resting beside their guns. In some respects there was such an ar Of abandon over everything that it was hard to recall a picture of camp life at it's best. There were no reglmental bands and one was forced to be content with many traditions of camp life The subtle traces. however, remained. The tents that had been brought intact from Miami, lined the streets, and looked strong and stout and aWoke all manner of recollections for those who told the stories of camp life through the tropical summer. Just outside under meath the shade of the trees many of the men. seated on their camp stools, were re- calling the incidents of campaignng The life is fresh in their minds. The names of comrades are familiar, and they recall camp experiences with a certain degree of dignity that impresses one. You feel that 1t must have been vastly important to oc- cupy so conspicuous a part, and that it was not by any means an nglorous thing to encamp on the gulf coast for weeks. The first call for volunteers, the preparing for the journey the day of goodbye, were recalled yesterday. The trip to Mobile the removal to Miami, the brief sojourn at Jacksonville and the homeward journey It is familiar story, but to each of the men these summer months are full of re- collections that with the passing of the years will take on perhaps richer mean- ing than they have in the vividness of the present. As it is, the September days at Camp Falkner are passing so quietly that the very hospitable habit prevails among these sun-burned, comfortable-loolxing men of the First Alabama of entertaining the visitors with many interesting experiences of camp life
 There are not more than 40 men at Camp Falkner. not including the officers. There has been no hospital established. The men who are taken ill are conveyed at once to the hospital at the armory The young private who was shot during the week is however. at Camp Falkner He was re- ported yesteNa3 to be doing as well as could be expected Among the ranks of the regiment is an Trishman who judging from his remarks, frequently contributed a bit of humor.A glance at this particular indi- vdual revealed at once his nationality and everything thah he said was so irresis- ihy drol that those who were familiar with his hunor, enjoyed it quite as much as the late arrivals. In his broeue be told some amusing stories of camp life. When tt came to army fare he grew very serious but said that Uncle Sams "hard-tack" was far superior to that of the English army According to his statements. cold water makes the "hard-tack" used in this coiln- try palatable, while hot coffee will not im- prove the excessively dry taste of the bread provided for the men in the English service Over at the mess hall the government sup plies were being handled and catalogued so to speak. The supplies that reached the camp yesterday were supposed to last ten days. The number of pounds of the differ ent commodities was something appalling to some housekespers. who would not con- sume much in a life time The follow ing menu was made out yesterday and gives a correct idea of the governments proportion for ten days:
 Bacon. 1894 pounds.
 Flour, 6,263 pounds.
 Rice 557 pounds
 Tomatoes, 5,25S pounds.
 Coffee, 4S0 pounds.
 Sugar, S31 pounds
 Vinegar, 4S0 gallons.
 The men of the First Alabama in camp now are enjoying the luxury of their meals being prepared on a handsome range that has done duty at the state encampments It is kept in the mess hall, and is again being called into service for the men at Camp Falkner.
 The supper which was served yesterday about o'clock was above the average. We were at the mess hall just at supper time. The signal rang out clear through the far. Down the streets of the camp the men came in groups. As 1every one knows the kitchens are usually at the end of each