The age-herald., 1898-07-19
FIRST ALABAMA
 IS INSPECTED GensFll Guild Compliments Them on
 Their Camp. BOYS AT TARGET PRACTICE Some Excellent Records Are Being Made
 at COCOaDut Grove. ARE STILL ONE BRIGADE SHORT In the First Division of the Seventh Army corps-The Immune Regiment May Not Be 0ldered to Miami on.
 Account of Bad Water. E
ARE STILL ONE BRIGADE SHORT

Higdon's Headquarters, Camp First Ala bama Volunteers, Miami Fla, July 1S.- Inspector-General Guild of Major-General Lees staff has just completed an inspection of this division, and with it the First has nothing to regret, for the regiment came off with flying colors. Colonel Guild (in- spector-general ranks as such) was very rigid in his work, yet it was all transacted in d manner that made every soldier feel better for his visit.
 My plan is to encourage the good things the men have accomplished under difficult ties, and not to condemn so much their shortcomings" was one of his cheering re- marks.
 Every company was strung out in line in the company street. Every man. every gun, every tent, together with the culinary departments, fell Under the view of the in-
 Jector. He made recommendations for the better welfare of the camp, but 1t was all coupled with encouraging words for the many excellent traits and hard work of the men, Some of them were questioned as to military tactics, and in almost every in- stance the answers were singuarly con else and correct.
 ny he put the question. "Is there any ex- ception for running regiment into ann bush without skirmish lines?'
 "No," promptly responded the corporal, standing at order.
 There are two men now in Cuba that have been promoted to brisader-generals who cannot answer that question: was Colonel Guilds reply.
 He evidently referred to Woods and Roosevelt, whose first bitter experience in ambuscade warfare probably taught them a valuable lesson.
 ipe irpa fa1 onel Eiigdon and Lieuter it. Ckionel Me Donald very highly on their splendid com mand In fact, the entire division stood the inspection well. Some equipments es- pecially in the way of canteens and meat pans, are badly needed. On these careful notes were made, which will hasten the war department in providing them.
 AtTarget Practice
 The troops now have target practice reg ularly. It took four days of hard labor at 7coeoanut grove to prepare for this, but it is expected to bear ample fruit when the troops get in the field. The men go out to practice in details, and some of the rec ords of the First Alabama quite cred itable.
 The detail from General Greeley's signal corps has the work of erecting a telephone system well under way. Signal stations will be, established from headquarters to the different camps that orders can be transmitted with great rapidfty.
 Major General Keifer and staff have completed an investigation of the bay. A launch was chartered and seundings were taken in the bay, well as at Cape Flor ida, the point of entrance. In the bay the average depth was found to be between twelve and thirteen feet, and so the report has been made.
 With this information in hand, the scheme for authorization is to carry the troops and supplies lighters or small side-wheel  them on the transports. The bay Is almost ass smooth as dancing floor and the At lantic at Cape Florida is not disturbed ex- cept during extreme tropical storms This insures the safety of the precious cargo.
 One Brigade Short
 One brigade is still lacking to fill this the First division of the Seventh army corps The information here is that in probably two weeks and possibly after a part of the troops here have been embarked other reg iments will be brought to this camp. It was first thought that the immune regi- ments would be ordered here, but since they have been ordered to garrisonsSanti- ago this is out of the question. The pro- gramnie may be abandoned altogether ow- ing to the general condemnat ton of the camp caused by the water and surrounding conditions.
 Several regimental surgeons are of the  to destroy the hundreds of small stands that have sprung up in a day would do mora for the health of the camp than the removal of the troops.
 At these stands all kinds of cold and unhealthy drinks are sold. besides every va riety of tropical fruits, the consumption of which is so roundly condemned by the medical authorities. The health of the soldiers is the question agitating the minds of the officers most, and it is beyond doubt that these stands are a menace. A passer- by can readily detect the offensive odor of decayed fruit he goes through the streets After hard drills the men will eat almost anything, and they go to these mushroom merchants. buy stale water melons and other fruits. AS result they are made sick. Like the Old "Forty-Niners' This tribe flocked in here by the hun dreds. bringing their tents and a small supply of saIable stuff with them. Some have rigssed up their places with discarded soaes of schooners and all shades of tempt ing and injurious goodies and offered through odd signs and otherwise to the weary soldiers.
 To these transient vendors, travelling phe- tographers are next in number They have flocked in and put up their tents like side shows to a circus. There is great compe- tition. and the soldiers are enabled to get likeness in military garb to send to their sweethearts almost for the asking. There are all kinds of curio shops and the prin- cipal street running through the camp ot the First resembles the hackneyed midway | plaisance The noise is here and the only ! missing link is. the voice of the accom- | plished spieler. But his place is in a measure supplied by dirty-faced boys who l yell from revielle to tap. lice cold lemon | ade, here's the place to get your money | back and other phrases of the street | vendors vernacular.
 l There enc sees blue coat with violin | another with banjo or guitar and a third l doing dance for the amusement of the l crowd. Further up where some more en | terprising stand keeper has rattle-traI | of & piano the sweet clear voice of a sol | d,er lad swelis the afr with some popular ! melody. Further on one sees the huge l sign of Donohue. the veteran photographer