The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-17

of the war among the soldiers. Now and
then some reference is made to the pend
ing struggle over the Pearl of the Antilles
but there Is not near so much talk as
would be supposed. Certain il Is that the
men are not fearful of being ordered away
and some Of them are anxious TO start at
once.
The camp Is Just little over week
old. but Il is getting down to hard work
The work of organization is about finished,
that Is, the rougher part of It, and the real
hard work is only just beginning, The
present order provides for three drills of
an hours duration each day. These squad
drills have been crude on account of the
Ignorance of most of the men of military
duties. The recruits are progressing rap
idly, however, and Il Is hoped to be able
to drill the men in companies In a few
days.
The quartermaster sergeants are the
hardest worked men In camp. and II Is
probable for this reason that they rank
next to the first sergeant The commits
sary sergeants have to look after the
feeding of the companies, and IL Is no
sineoure TO see that eighty men are prop
erly fed and provided for three times a
day
Col. A. n, Lawton of the First Regi-
ment is one of the busiest officers. He
keeps In close touch with his subordi-
mates and meets them In daily conference
at 1850 o'clock. At this meeting the COM
pany officers are instructed so as to Sc
cure uniformity in discipline and camp
government.
The lowering of the flag at dusk Is
one of the prettiest ceremonies OF the
camp Assembly is sounded and the men
gather In their company streets with their
of In xsfat he 1nw s.Ia
"The Star Spangled Banner" and the flag
Is lowered.
The Macon Volunteers IA one of the best
equipped companies A large percentage
of the original members of this command
enlisted and nearly every man is uniformed
The company has a private mess, which
Is paid for out OF a sum subscribed by
the citizens of Macon, and the volunteers
have lots Of delicacles that the other COM
panies do not get.
There Is a fine comradeship among the
soldiers and particularly among the Saw
annah boys that the officers are glad to
see Petty selhshnese Is unknown and
the boys divide with their fellows good
things received from home
While the tents are not crowded 10 an
uncomfortable degree, some of them con-
tain more men than should be put in one
tent. All OF the board floors which are used
by state troops during state encampments
are distributed, but they do not go around
half the camp. and the half without floors
are covered thckly with straw. Blankets
seem to be plentiful, and each man mas
enough to keep himself warm. The boys
say the straw does not make a bad
bed. The nights are cool, which makes
sleeping pleasant, while warm nights
would prevent the men from sleeping in
their crowded quarters
The men have plenty Of time to them
selves and all sorts OF amusements are in
duged in. Some OF them play ball on the
drill ground; some OF the Savannah boys
brought up an indoor ball and bat, and are
teaching the indoor game to the country
recruits. Reading Is a popular pastime,
while some Of the men, more ambitious
than their fellows, put In their spare time
in study.
All over the camp, upon benches, tables,
under trees and wherever can be found
resting places, can be seen men writing
home to loved ones. There are mail bags
at the head of each company street for
the men to drop their letters in. When
ever the mail arrives from Griffin there Is
q rush for letters. Those who get them
go off In a happy mood to read them,
while the disappointed ones console them
selves with the hope that the next mail
will bring a letter There are some men,
however, who never inquire for letters.
They are those men who are far from
home, probably without friends who care
enough to write
There are many men among the troops
who have fought In former wars. For in
stance, the Cadets have several veterans
of other wars. They have a man who
fought with the French foreign legion In
Madagascar; one who was In the Chinese
navy and was present at the taking Of
Port Arthur; another who saw service in
the Argentine Republic. that land of con-
tinual revolutions, and several men who
have served In the German army.