Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-29
LIFE In CAMP LEE.
EOw THE SOLDIERS PASS DULL
TINE AWAY.
TAKE TIE BEST OF THE SITUATION.
NotVvith standing Their IrISsome Du-
ties, the Men Enjoy Themselves,
and Their Escnpades Lend Test to
the Existence They Endure.

Camp-life. the soldiers who are now
CHARTERED at Camp Lee have found out,
s. not all pleasure. Though the boys
have fun, they have also many hard
ships 10 endure. and it is an assured
fact that before they 90 TO the front they
viii be well seasoned for campaign in
Cuba or most anywhere else.
Camp Lee does not differ in all respects
f-on any other military camp. The SOL
lars therein quartered are under the
control Of the War Department; indeed,
they are on exactly the same footing as
tts regulars, and the same military dis
Cf.ae IS observed among them as in the
various forts and barracks which Uncle
sam maintains throughout this country.
TO the young man fresh from the Office,
and from his comfortable home, where
Sc vas tenderly cared for and looked af-
Ger by mother, sister, or wife, the re-
srarts Of camp-life and the hardships
;aa- such a life imposes are at times irk-
some. But taken as a whole, the boys at
camp Lee are a jolly set. and while they
become rufIied now and then at some eX-
operating occurrence, they are apparent
l content with their lot, and IL not con-
'srt are resigned and ready 10 accept the
Iag..able without grumbling.
FELLOWSHIP IN CAMP.
There are something over 1900 men
gaItered at Camp Lee, and they come
t0m every part Of Virginia and from al
most every walk in life. But there exists
among them a spirit Of comradeship
which more than anything else contri-
t-..s 20 the pleasure Of the life they are
living. There appear 10 be no petty Jeal-
,-s.es among the men: and there IS
il'a. absence Of quarrelling and pickering.
Twenty men sleep together in one tent,
t-. they don't quarrel as 20 the room
each shall occupy. All OF this IS allotted
ts'1r. bedtime, and each man upon un-
Crossing occupies mis- designated place on
Pc f9or II is true that the space is
Very limited. and sc Is said Though the
Dispatch will not vouch for the truth OF
80 chat when one OF the men wants 70
'-'1 over all have 10 turn with him IN
order that he may do so.
THEY SAVE THEIR LIGHT.
BE that as II may, the men have a good
tus in their tents at night. The order
.,- lights TO be extinguished Is given at
te. o'clock each night, and when the SEN
'h.' passes through the various streets
q che camp and gives the command
Nights out" every lantern is extinguish-
a. But the boys are by no means ready
i-r 3o1. They are not sleepy, and hence
90 not 20 10 sleep. They realize, how
ever that % lie in their tents and talk,
..ay must, n their comfort Is 10 be per-
,'.i have something 10 smoke. IL would
dangerous to strike a match after the
oafr 20 extinguish lights is given, for a
,o-f'-martial might follow, so before the
.'-''rg Is extingmshed some one OF the
lls' lgHts a cigarette "a plentiful supply
these "co1in tacks" is kept in every
''lJ. and the cigarette is not allowed 70
So out until the last man Is ready for
Sleep.
~ soon as one smoker burns 70 the
pA1t where II will have 10 be surrender
20 another is lighted. and the result Is
.al The men. as they lie In their tents on |
u''F straw covered floors and talk. are |
an times provided with something 20 \
,,Ao1e, and no chance OF court-marual |
'" aisobedience 10 orders r. run.
RUN THE BLOCKADE.
Since the various regiments have been