Evening star., 1898-04-29
AT CHICKAMAUGA PARK
Gen. Boynton's Views Of the Big Camp of
Regulars.
No Finer Body of Troops In the
World-ROOm for Fifty Thou
sand Soldiers.

Gen. Boynton, who has returned from
Chickamauge to report to Secretary Alger
in regard to the conditions at the camp, So
far as they affect the National Park, said
to Star reporter today that the prompt
action Of the Secretary in directing certain
speedy preparations has made Just the
difference to the arriving troops between
a very comfortable and a very urcom-
Portable occupation Of the extended camp
grounds, and all soldiers there are thank
ing him.
while Col. Lee, Quartermaster of Gen.
Brcoke's staff, is a most efficient and un-
usually energetic ofncer, and while Gen.
Brooke gave constant personal attention to
every detail of the immense work on his
hands," said Gen. Boynton, they were
both shackled in the. outset by red tape.
This required advertising. followed by
legal waiting, awarding contracts. and
then sometimes not. getting what was
wanted at fair prices. Meantime the troops
would have suffered had 1t not been that
Secretary Alger found means to supply all
immediate wants. Congress cannot too
soon unite the hands Of its officers in the
field. Fortunately. the troops al! came
with thirty days, ratiens.
A Fine Body sf Men.
mo finer body Of troops has ever been
assembled in this country than the regu-
lars who form the army corps at the park.
The many years worlksofS the War De-
partment in improving the personnel of the
army, beginning under Gen. Schofield,
brought about a marked revolution. It
Is now a body of native and naturalized
Americans OF the best physique. every man
certified to mastering officers as one of
good character and standing among his as
sociates; well drilled, well set up by regu-
lar exercise-in person, equipment and
hndyy
Gen. BroOke's Personal Supervision.
''The best Illustration of Gen. Brooke g
fitness and energy is found in the fact that
for days. and for several Of them in the
rain, he stood from morning till night with
his staf, experimenting and expediting the
unloading of the troops and supplies and
establishing them in camp. Such personal
attention as he has given to these details
1s not common among major generals.
The colored troops have excited great en-
1husiasm. They are in every respect the
equals OF the white regiments for effec-
tive work, ard in drill and general appear
ance. The stories of disorderly conduct
nave been greatly exaggerated. There have
been a few inexcusable. affairs, but nr
me re than arise in every command from
the bad conduct. of a few-the cause, in
every case, being liquor.
Room for Fifty Thousand.
'The camps are well drained, and fully
supplied with wood and excellent water. A
few writer's, new to war, have found muddy
ce mps after hard rains and telegraphed
that the soldiers were camped in the mud
and sleeping in water. Camping anywhere
in this country in the spring of the year
Is not by any means dusty affair But at
the park the soil Is gravelIy and the drain
age excellent. There are thirty miles OF
roads through the camps which are hard
and smooth. There is abundant room in
the park to give $1,000 troops regulation
camps"