The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-29

the onion At dinner this is the bill of
AlaIes bakers bread, in great hunks, and
without butter; boiled potatoes, served in
the skins; broiled or fried fresh beef. and
colfee. This is substantial diet, doubtless
much better than they will average during
their future camp life. The food is not
cooked or presented in Delmonico style The
cooking IS done over trenches dug in the
ground, in which long sticks of wood are
placed, Over the fire and across the trench
IS a sort Of an iron framework and upon
this the great pans are set for the meat and
the boilers for the potatoes. The food has
10 be prepared so much in advance of meal
time that it cannot be always kept warm.
The meat is piled up in great pans, and is
cut OH into hunks of dimensions suggest
ed by desire TO carve rapidly and easily.
Conee is served three times a day. 1t is
known as very Strong goods" The Off
GERS mess is a very different affair. There
they have substantially whatever they are
willing to pay for. but still there is much TO
The greatest kick at Camp Alger is on
account Of water This will probably be
corrected before long. A number OF wells
are already being sunk and farmers have
been engaged to draw water from neigh
boring springs: But the privates are COM
planning that they have to wash their dishes
IL the same sunken barrels in which they
wash their faces in the morning. They
VIII become accustomed 10 that sort of
thing Drinking, water has to be brought
from springs in barrels.
Life about the tents is an illustration of
Yankee skill and resourcefulness. OF course,
She men have no chairs or bedsteads. They
have to lounge about in Turkish fashion, or
occasionally get rest sitting on a pile of
boards The Uses they have made for the
products of the surrounding forests are
many. Great boughs- heavy with foliage,
are cut up and spread on the ground as a
sort or hoortng for the tents. Sun protec-
tors are made by putting up four tree limbs
as vertical poles, and another four across
foliage. This makes a good fair weather we her
tent, and such are erected over the cooking
establishments, and in some instances for
the horses. In their leisure hours. which
are not many, by the way. the men read
some and write more Newspapers can be
bought and an occasional book is seen, but
letter writing seems to be a great avoca-
ton One regiment sent out ZOO letters by
actual count the first day they were in
camp. Very few of either officers or men
nave had time to come over to Washington.
They see few congressman who go over to
see the show, and make a few felicitous re-
marks on the virtue of patriotism, but the
troops have come to realize that they are
not here on pleasure excursion and can
not expect to see the sights In a rainstorm
and during the night these tents are not
the most spacious quarters imaginable.
Seven men usually sleep in each tent. Thus
camp tokers say they suppose it is the in
tention of the Weather Bureau to get the
men used to the rainy season of Cuba.
me soldier at Camp Alger is looking both
forward and backward. He did not like his
state camping ground very well while he
was there, thinking it was dull and slow
and unwarlike, and was eager 10 push for
ward, bat now he assures you that things
We're Immensely more comfortable than
WHeE6 lie Is now. III course, ne does not
want to retrace his steps. but he would like
TO go on one stage further, in his opinion
life is very tedious here. The worst news
he can hear is that the prospect is good of
Remaining in Camp Alger six months. He
does not know that new place like Chat
tanooga or Tampa would be any improve
ment but he feels that he would welcome
1t as at least a change.
Among the privateS who are grabbing
their cold boiled potatoes on tin plates and
sitting down to eat on piles of lumber or
brush are young men who were in college
or prepared to go, and some were just
starting in a business or professional ca
Teer; there are young cergymen, school
teachers. school superintendent, bank tell
ers and the like, and all from pleasant home
surroundings There was great rush to
get into this company up in my town, and
we were all bidding for the chance" said
one disconsolate youth; now l guess we
wouldn't press quite so hard" But such
quotations as these should not be inter-
preted as meaning that our soldiers lack
courage enthusiasm or patriotism. They
have all these in large and sufficient guam
titles. but 1t is also true that life in the will
derness camp is not agreeable to them, and
to the extent that they anticipated that this
would be a pleasure trip they are disap-
poined. 1t is no lark. The day begins with
breakfast at in the morning, and there is
almost a steady succession of drills and
parades till night, and this is hard work
and no play.