The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-17
CAMP RAMSEY A MEMORY
NOTHING REMAINS OF THE
VOLUNTEERS RENDEZVOUS


About Nine Last Night-The
Final Day Was a Busy One From
Dawn to Dark.
pines.
Camp Ramsey is now a part of the
history Of the war with Spain. The
movement of the troops began at II
o'clock yesterday morning, and by 9:15
in the evening the three regiments Of
Minnesota volunteers were on the way
to the front.
Duty called and the flower and youth
of the North Star state, which no nCbly
responded to the country's need, Is now
rus hing to the front. Friends and
homes were sacrificed to the unque nch-
able patriotism, which is the nations
bulwark. Mothers babe their sons go.
husbands left wives and children, while
lovers parted in sadness, but deep in
the hearts Of the Minnesota volunteers
were the loyalty and patriotism which
founded the nation and preserved it
again in season of peril, an inspiration
which will win battl-s anew and raise
UP many a brave hero, though others
may. perhaps, find soldiers graves in
far off land. But with all it's heart
pangs, it's uncertainties and dangers,
the prospect Of active participation In
the war did not cause one of Mime
sofas brave sons to WAIVER. Their
country neeIed their services perhaps
their lives, and all was cheerfully laid
upon the nations altar with a consec-
ration to duty which must ever stand
a memorial to the patriots Of the great
state of Minnesota.
Fer three weeks the troops at Camp
Ramsey had been anxiously awaiting
the call to the front. and when the
summons came the brave volunteers
shouldered their muskets with the spirit
OF '76 and 81 stirring their hearts to
every sacrifice demanded by the stern
reality Of war. With cheers they re-
ceived the orders sending them in bat
tie array against a foe, loathsome to
every American Heart, and easerness to
be off was manifest in the bearing Of
every one Of the boys in blue" from
colonel to the camp cook S assistant.
No more propitious conditions for
enlbarkatiOn on solemn mission and
for last farewells could have prevailed
The day was perfect. Old Sol smiled
benignly upon the busting camp, set
ting agleam THE scene of activity and
embracing the soldiers in gentle
warmth, tempered by western breeze,
which unfurled the Stars and Stripes
in a splendor of promise from every
masthead. Intent upon the fulfillment
of, a stern purpose, but inspired by the
thrills Of patriotism, the soldiers whist
led and sang throughout the work of
breaking camp knowing little of what
the future might hold in store for them,
only that athey were called upon to
serve their country, and that in SO do
ing. they were performing the noblest
duty given to the citizens of the great
est of all nations.
But the soldiers themselves were not
the only ones concerned in the days
events. Mothers and fathers, sweet
hearts and wives arrived at the
grounds almost with the sounding Of
the o'clock reveille, to say the last
good byes to their loved ones and.
throughout the day, lowered about the
soldier boys like ministering angels.
For these the devastation of war had
already begun and each oft repeated
word of parting was a tug at the heart
strings which brought tears to womens'
eyes and caused the veteran fathers
lips to CULVER with suppressed emotion
Many Of the women about the quarters
had hidden God speed to loved ones
departing for war thirtyfive years ago
and how many of those dear ones had
never returned. These thoughts filled
the minds of many gray haired
woman, as with arms clasped about
the neck of her only boy, she chung to
him almost Historically until his COM
pany was ordered to fall in, but
through the tears beamed a wealth Of
pride as the young soldier marched
forth with his companions.
Everywhere throughout the camp
were visible the affectionate ministra-
tons of those who were parting from
friends and relatives. Officers wore
boutonnieres pinned on by dainty
hands and many Of the privates carried
to the trains large bouquets. In the
different company quarters, early in the
day before the dismantling begun, the
remembrances of wives, mothers and
sweethearts were in evidence. Flowers
were about in abundance and souvenirs
wrought of tricolored ribbons adorned
muskets and haversacks.
The companies held informal recep-
tons during the day and the quarters
were crowded with sightseers. The
people have become imbued with the
war spirit and those who had none at
camp to bid farewell, went out to wit
ness the breaking of camp, prompted
by patriotism, perhaps, or may be
nothing more exalting than idle curios-
ity, but their presence lent enthusiasm
to the occasion and even such as these
joined in the hearty cheers which greet
ed the departing soldiers as the trains
pulled out Of the depot sheds.
That the departure Of the troops was
accomplished without more confusion
than marked the exodus was remarka-
Bile. From dawn until the last train
left the camp was a busy scene Some
of the companies that were not sched-
uled to leave until toward the las,.
drilled about the grounds during the
morning, the commands Of the officers
and the rapid maneuvers of the men
adding to the general excitement
About regimental headquarters all was
hurry, but the busiest officers were the
adjutantS. Provision for getting the
men aboard the trains, the packing Of
equipment and rations, together with
the responsibility of seeing that none
were left behind through misunder-
standing, kept those in command Of
these departments on the move until
train time, but through all of the hustle
and scurrying, not one mishap or mis-
carried plan was reported.
The first troops to break camp were
those of the Twelfth regiment, under
command of Col. Bobla-ar All the
men were up at the sound of reveiile at
5 O'Clock and after hro,[, fart hale -,