The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-04-29
Patriotism vs.. Mud.

CAMP WILMER, April 26.-The memory Of
magnificent send off given the boys Of Com
pany by their friends in Hartford still
fingers with them. The AgiS will no doubt
fittingly describe the display Of patriotism at
manifested ON that occasion. We at this end
of the line are trying to merit the continued
good opinion of the orators who addressed us
on Monday. On arriving in Baltimore We
marched to the 9Th Regiment Armory and there
awaited the arrival of Company X, OF Rock
vile, and Company q of Annapolis. We then
marched to the Druid Hill entrance to the
Park and took the electric cars for Pimlico,
where we arrived before nightfall. The 4th
and 9Th Regiments, which had preceded us,
were already on the ground, we made our
way across the vast mass of mud which met
us at every turn ard vertably slid into posi-
tion along our Company street, which is in
the centre of the field, and opposite the Grand
Stand. Here we found that board floors had
been laid, and by the wise forethought OF
Capt ForwoCd, canvas cots had been pro
dismissed we began selecting our, as yet un-
tented camp homes, III punches of fours. We
now anx;ously awaited our tents which had
not vet been distributed. Here and there
could be seen details of other companies hurry
ing and scurryiDg, slipping and sliding with
canvas bags containing their tents and soon
the sound OF the improvised mauls were heard
falling upon the tent pegs, as they sank into
soft mud. Company d however, did not have
the good fortune to get theirs as quick as
wished, although detail was in waiting to
receive them, so we adjourned to the base
ment of the Grand Stand and with hot cup
of coffee, and good sized "spud," some bacon
and bread, we comforted ourselves inwardly.
After this substantial rcpast we were in good
condition to tackle the tents, which had put
in appearance in our absence. This we did
with all the speed which combination OF eX-
perts and uoVices allows in drizzling rain.
At last we had local habitation with roof
and found ourselves in a much better condi-
ton than our immediate neighbors, the COM
pany from Frederick, who did not get their
tents until somewhere about midnight, and
many OF whom had to seek the seclusion OF
the Grand Stand, where those of them who
were fortunate enough to forage an armful
of straw bivouced for the night. Four OF
our Company had to perform guard duty on
our first night in camp, and today Corporal
Gilbert, with three others of D,help to keep the
path along the posts in a more markedly mud
dy condition. Mud and rain, rain and mud
are the compliments which nature bestows,
most generously upon our camp, and II the
condition continues it will not be necessary
to 20 to Cuba to become acclimated to a
rainy season. Our Company drills have not
vet been INDUCED in, because, although his
tolic Pimlico encircies us, we none claim to
be mud horses. Company ID is fortunate IN
having the right kind of officers: Capt. For
wood, Lieuts. Rouse and Morgan, and LIST
Sergeant Sias Smith. are constant in their at
teutiOn to the comfort of the men under their
charge. while Capt. Bateman and Commissary
Howard Anderson furnish ''Spuds" galore for
the inner mau. None of our men are yet on
the sick list.
The following are The hours of service in
camp:
Heveire-First call, 455 A. NJ. Reveille 5
A II Assembly, 05 A NJ, Sick call, SIS
~ Il.
Breakfast call, \. NJ.
Fatigue call-Old guard police Z A. M.
Guard Mount-First call, $50 A. NJ; AS
sembly of details, s So A. NJ; Adjutant's call,
Il NJ.
Dinner call, IL N.
First Sergeant's call, l P. NJ.
Supper cali, q ?. NJ.
Rcgmental first call, ?. NJ.
Parade Assembly, 705 P. NJ.
Adiutant's call, 10 ?. NJ.
Tattoo 10 2. NJ; can to quarters 1o.45 T.
NJ; Taps / ?. NJ.