The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-05
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Camp George r. Meade, Middletown.
Pa, Sept. 4.-The Thirteenth regiment
is now settled in it's new camp site
within the confines of it's own glorious
state and the boys are in no way dis
pleased over the change. They left
Virginia, where so many of them suf-
fered with few pangs of regret. The
health of the boys has been good since
reaching here. A good supply of ice
would be hailed with great JOY by all
the boys.
The trip north was one which the
boys will remember for many years to
come. At the Dunn Loring depot as
they were taking the cars assigned
them, a large delegation of the coun-
try people around had gathered to give
the Thirteenth a send-off. During our
stay there the Pennsylvania troops
were undoubtedly the most popular in
camp; and, of the Pennsylvanians, the
Scranton boys were the recipients of
the greatest amount of friendship and
hospitality on the part of the people of
Virginia. While the boys have many
unpleasant recollections of life at Camp
Alger during those one hundred and
eleven days which they spent there,
still they left Virginia with very high
ideas of the kindly, hospitable spirit of
its people.
The reception which was accorded the
Thirteenth at Washington simply took
the boys by storm. During the after
noon they had worked hard. and, after
a two hours ride to Washington be-
hind an engine which sent forth vol
umes of soft coal smoke and the win
dows all raised, they all looked more
like miners than anything else, and
when the train stopped on Maryland
avenue, opposite Potomac hail. they
were leaning out the windows and ask
ing the passersby where they could get
something to eat. To their surprise
and satisfaction they were marched
across the avenue to the hall. and were
seated at tables on the second floor,
where they enjoyed not only the neces-
stiles, but even the luxuries of life.
HAD A GOOD WASH.
Soap and towels were furnished, and
many of the boys had the first good
wash which they enjoyed for some
time. Then they were ushered into the
dining hall, and will not soon forget
the supper which they enjoyed at the
expense of the pension office Ladies'
Relief association. Nothing was to be
desired in quantity or in quality. and,
to add still more to the comfort of the
men, several Of the ladies were thought
fully posted at intervals and famed
them while they ate supper.
Two or three Of the boys who We're
sick and did not leave the train, re-
ceived special attentions. The mem
bers of the Thirteenth regiment We're
as delighted as they were surprised,
and certainly did not fail to duly ap-
preciate so much true womanly kind
ness on the part of the ladies of the
pension office. Three vigorous, heart
felt Pennsylvania cheers attested their
thanks, and for blocks around brought
the people to the depot.
At Baltimore the Union depot and
the massive bridge at the end of it
presented a scene of rare interest and
beauty. Inside the gates there was
not a spare inch of room, and on the
bridge all traffic was suspended. Hun
dreds of little children, girls clad in
white, We're given the front places, and
behind them We're thousands of men
and women who smiled, waived hand
kerchiefs and cheered. Coffee for the
ilSHl was SeTNeu, anu dS lnt lIdll
pulled out from the depot, the patriotic
fervor of the people reached its height.
1t was a splendid ovation.
From Baltimore to Middletown it was
the same story, but the demonstrations
We're on a smaller scale; and even in
little hamlets, contrary to the usual
custom, people We're up and cheered us
as we passed along till as late as Il
~ 'a1n nt ier1,t h.
crossed the line and the boys were
notified that they were in Pennsylvania
three long, sincere cheers We're given
"for Gods country"
THEY REACHED THE CAMP.
At Harrisburg the train crossed the
river, passing thence by way of Steel
ION, and was finally landed on the
switch a few miles above Middletown,
on the lines of the Pennsylvania rail-
road at 2 o'clock this morning. Through
the dense fog which clung close to the
ground they could see by the light of
the moon the long rows of tents in
the distance, and observe the sentries
pace up and down their lines. In a
little while the lights in the cars were
put out, and all slept as well as they
could.
The new camp is the delight of the
boys. Through the thoughtfulness and
consideration of Colonel Coursen the
men were ordered to drop their heavy
knapsaoks at the depot, and to march
TO the camp, three miles away, in light
marching order Several rests were
taken on the way, and it was well that
the men were not overburdened, for.
the long ride, the night scent in the
cars, very light breakfast, the heavy
roads, and steep hills would have -lade
il hard march for the regiment. As
II was no one fell out of the ranks,
and the trip was one of pleasure.
This is the Eden of PENNSYLVANIA,
and, unless appearances are entirely
deceptive, 1t is an ideal place for a
camp. About three miles from the
Susquehanna, and situated in the very
midst of a country richly blessed by
nature, it is a beautiful camping
ground. 1t is two miles distant from
the town of High Spire, which is con-
nected with Harrisburg by a trolley
line. To the west and south and east
the scene is varied and beautified by
jutting peaks of the Blue Ridge noun
tsins. which are covered with a pro-
fusion OF rich foliage. In all other
direction the eye takes in the wide,
level macadamized roads. Tor which
this region is so well known, lordly
clumps OF trees and limitless, highly
cultivated farms now yielding gener-
Gus returns for the intelligent labor
bestowed upon them.
The homes OF the people. like
"a