Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-06-01
At POST POWERS.
Continued from page ~

since the departure of the LIST Regimnt.
IN consequence there has been an en-
tirely different air about the camp.
While the sun was making a brave
struggle to break through the clouds.
Monday, not single man in camp had
the slightest idea that the sun would
come off the victor. In fact so serious
did the struggle look at times that it
seemed probable that the orders for
the battery to go to Fort Popham
would be revoked and the men were to
be detailed to assist the sun in its
struggle against disagreeable weather.
Those who We're on guard, Monday
night, about II o'clock. saw that on ac-
count of the progress the sun was
making in the fight the assistance of
the battery would not be needed and
the word was passed along the line
that it would still be many days be-
fore camp would be broken.
Day dawned bright and clear, Tues
day. and never did the men hail the
advent of pleasant weather with
greater pleasure. During the time it
has been raining everything around
the camp has had sticky feeling.
While the camp stoves have kept
everything under cover warm, yet
there has been dog day air about
the whole place that is decidedly pre-
mature.
The result of the dampness was 20
drive the men indoors as much as pos
sible and with them went any quantity
of small flies. On account of the rain
the men could not take down the tents
and drive the pests away. The alter
| native of trying to drive them out by
running the stoves at full blast met
| with very poor success. The same de-
| sire to get in out of the wet that took
| possession of the men was transmitted
to the flies and breeded and grew until
it filled every part of their being. Be
fore the storm was half over these flies
overcrowded the tents until it was 4
question which should be left in pos
session, the flies or the men.
The weather finally came to the as
sistance of the men and before the sur
had been up an hour the tent occu-
pants raised the sides of the tent
While the wind was busy chasing away
the rain laden clouds rushing
through the tents in its haste, it b.
came aggravated with the flies for be
ing in its way and as revenge sWent
the pests before it down into tho
woods.
With the disappearance of the file:
things at the camp began to assume Z
more cheerful aspect. The flag who!
the day before had been floating a
half mast now began to wrinkle itsel
in smiles as it made an attempt t.
straighten out at the top of the ilas
pole
The men getting an idea of VIVA
might follow should the wind be al
lowed to sweep through the tents
commenced a delayed spring house
cleaning. Before 10 o'clock in TIL
morning the ground near the tents wa
! covered with blankets, pillows and bed
ding of all kinds. Tent stakes wcr
moved farther back, and with tn
elevation of the sides the tents We"
given a better chance to air out thai
, they have had for days.
The germ of the house cleaning spirl
once having found an abiding place
began to develop with wonderful
rapidity. Men moved all their belong
! ings out into the company street an
before noon everything had becom
sweetencd and purified.
Some even went so far as to scru
the floors of their tents and as the re
suit more than one amateur washer
: man was seen Wringing out a mop an
digging out the dirt in the corners Wit
about as much dizziness as though n
were handling a sail boat.
Up to noon, yesterday, no one ma
the slightest idea when the men Woul
break camp. The departure of the III
fantry is felt more and more, an
especially during these pleasant day
when the men would have been at Worl
drilling. On account of this lonesome
ness the men are more anxious ina
ever to get away. 1t makes but yer
little difference where they go. Any
where. as long as it is not at foS
powers. Some are inclined to take IN
+ life in a very philosophic manner an
saw they would much prefer BEN
here TO being stationed in piac
where they would have to dodge span
isb bullets or fight against mosquitoe
or yellow fever.
There is no question but what III
cbanga in the weather has MADE
ereat change in the feelings OF III
men. Those who a day or two az