Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-02
FOURTH VIRGINIA.
Description of the Savannah Camp
New Orders Issued-PersOnnI.


SAVANNAH, GA. October d.-(spe-
cal)-One who hasn't had the opportu-
nifty to observe for himself, has no idea
of the great space over which the camps
of the Seventh Army Corps are spread.
Many who have never visited such camp
think that an army of eleven regiments
is a big crowd of men massed together,
much like the same size crowd Is assem-
bled on the big day at our State fairs,
packing themselves together in tents at
night everybody within one bugle call,
and all acquainted with one another.
Frequently l have had friends to inquire
Of me about Smith, Of the 161st Indiana,
or Johnson, Of the First Texas, or Brown,
{ the Rough Riders from Wyoming, evil
IDENTIFY thinking that / know everybody
in the Seventh Army Corps, when really
| don't know one fourth OF my own regi-
nenti But many of the soldier boys who
don't think that honesty is the best
lolicy'' in such cases, Will be well enough
)osted to say. Certainly / know him.
went TO college with him five years" or,
It is girl who inquiries, and for whom
he is setting his cap, he answers: Yes,
know him; the poor fellow is in the
guard-house now"
THE CAMPS.
The camps of the Seventh Army Corps
near Savannah, are laid off somewhat
like a city, although more scattered each
regiment being penned up separately, so
that the boys of one regiment rarely hold
any communication with those OF an
other, except when they happen to "snag"
provost. The fact is. that roads. pa
backgrounds, marshes, dense thickets,
etc. intervene between the regiments, so
that the corps is scattered over miles
and miles Of ground.
This fact was very wildly impressed
lpon my mind the other night. when
set out on my return from town at mid
night and turned into the wrong road
[ struck the New Thunderbolt road, in
stead of the old one. / walked on and
on, passing regiment after regiment. sig
nal corps, mule corrals. etc, for miles
when / finally came to the conclusion
hat l was off the track. After founder
ng around in marshes and wading creeks.
became desperate enough to inquire OF
every guard of every regiment and
everybody else / passed, but no one
knew where the famous Fourth Virginia
was. At last a well-informed lieutenant
showed me the light of General Has
brouck's headquarters, only half a mile
away: but alasl that was over an i'm
passable marsh and canal, and so l had
TO make a circuit Of five miles, arriving
at camp a little ahead OF reveille and
walking sixteen miles.
CHANGES IN CAMP ROUTINE.
According to general orders, city time,
IT the seventy-fifth meridian time, will De
used by US Morning drill is to be from
}:45 to l0I5 A. M; afternoon drill from
8 TO 4:30 p. NJ; dress parade at $50 p. M.
md supper at p. NJ. Another new fea
ture of the orders is that requiring
the companies TO fall in under arms al
reveille, and at retreat. The division
commander is TO prescribe the kind OF
drills for morning and afternoon.
SEVENTH ARMY CORPS TO LEAVE
AT AN EARLY DATE
The following paragraph also appears
in these general orders;
II is expected that the troops of this
command will be sent on service outside
of the United States at an early date.
and the Intervening time at this camp
must be fully utilized 10 bring the mill
tary bearing appearance, and instruc-
tion of all officers and men to the high
est standard.
Thorough instruction in extended or
der. outpost duty, and guard duty is
specially ordered.
The Savannah Volunteer Guards have
very courteously and Hospitality sent
cards to all of the officers OF the Four
virginia, extending to them the privilege
OF their clubhouse during their stay in
or nesr Savannah.
THOMAS'S TRUE SNAKE STORY.
CORPORAL Clarence Thomas, OF Company