The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-22

street. Three tents are placed right to-
gether, back to front and the rear ends
of the first and second tents make one
continued passage way. At present
two men sleep in each tent. but it is
proposed in due time, if we are left
here long enough, to have some new
tangled heating apparatus placed in the
middle tent, whose occupants will go to
the end tents-one 20 the front, the
other to the rear.
This idea is new. and, therefore, sub
ject to much adverse criticism, many of
the boys claiming that il is anything
but an Improvement on the old meth
od. As it is now. when the tenants in
the rear wish to go in or out they must
pass through the other two tents and
in this consists the chief Objectionable
fcnlurC of the new idea. However,
when the tents, which are specially de-
signed for this peculiar arrangement,
shall have been received, things may
run more smoothly and work with
greater satisfaction.
WATER AMPLE AND PURE.
The water supply is excellent. and
there is an abundance of the purest,
crystal water. About 500 yards from
the Thirteenth's camp are three large
dams. From distance water. natur-
ally and already good, is pumped into
the first of these, and from this it
passes through two first-Class filters
before being used. as it passes into the
second and thence to the third, which
is connected with camp by pipes laid
two feet under ground. These water
works, which belong to the city of Au-
gusta, cost over $500, 900, and are the
finest in the state. For the time be-
ing the government uses the supply,
reCompensng the city treasury. There
is the greatest satisfaction and secur-
ity felt in the thought that the water
is as pure in quality as it is exhaust
less in quantity.
1t does not require a long stay here
to appreciate the fact that one lives in
the South. Not only have the roads
here been constructed by chain gangs
Of ColOrcd men, but even the water
mains connecting the reservoir with
the several regimental camps have
been dug by ColOred men who are serv-
ing time either in the state or county
prisons. Some Of the more dangerous
of them are attached to a heavy ball
by iron chains, while others have
chains binding their hands to their
feet, and which would prevent them
from making any headway in case they
attempted to escape. In order to fur
ther discourage any such tendency, be-
sides the section boss who walks be-
hind the men and superintends their
work, there marches an armed guard,
who carries a revolver and a double
barreled gun loaded to the muzzle, and
who, not only would shoot to kill but
who. in any case and especially if there
were any attempt at escape. would
reckon a negro's life as cheaply as a
huntsman in the North would estimate
that of rabbit.
When a white man has to do such
labor they never put him in company
with negroes. The color line here Is
drawn very scrupulously, and one need
not be here long to observe that fact.
As far as could be found out on in
quiry the state and the city are using
these convict laborers to do the work,
paying them, and receiving compensa-
tion in return from the government.
The troop of the Third United States
regular cavalry, which is here. is the
center of no small amount of interest.
Among the number are many recruits,
who have to take vigorous lessons
daily in horseback riding. They are
taken out on an oval field, where they
give some interesting examples of the
true art of managing a horse. They
have many spectators present at those
exercises.
LIBERAL RATIONS.
The rations so far have been satis-
factory despite the fact that camp
life here is yet new and, in a measure,
unsettled. Liberal supplies of good
bread, and of fresh meat reach here
daily from Augusta, and those COM
plants which are usual at newly
formed camps are almost entirely
missing here, When the weather
clears and routine is more fully estab-
lished. everything will be very salts
factory Despite the ups and downs
of the past few days, the health of
the boys continues to be good and
this is happy omen for the future Of
this camp.
Sergeant Albert Sloane of A, and
Frlvates George Phillips, of c. Will
liam KinbaCk. of D. A2er Baxter Of
q, ana Arch Bisbce. of B, were the de-
tail which preceded the regiment to
this place, and laid out the general
plan of the regiments camp They
dill excellent work, and had every
thing in readiness. They deserve
credit for their work.
Camp, which for the first few days
after our arrival here, was in a tur-
moil and in very embryonic state,
has at last assumed q definite, regu-
lar outline. 1t has now two parts to
1.-THE western, composed of tho
Eighth and the Thirteenth Pennsyl-
vania and the Fifteenth Minnesota;
and the eastern, comprising the Thir-
ty-htth Michigan, the Tenth Ohio and
the First Maryland. These are tho
Third and First brigades. respect
lively, OF the First division of the Sec
ond army corps, and are separated by
n wide road on each side of which
skirts an open, unoEStructed belt of
land. The Thirteenth's neighbor, the
Fifteenth Minnesota, is now comfort
! ably settled and they are busilv on
! gagged in the work Of making their
surrounding conditions as pleasant as
possible.
The members of the Thirteenth nave
adapted themselves to camp life In
/ Georgia with remarkable facility
! Though they arrived here and pitched
| their tents in the midst Of constant
/ inhospitabe rain storm which seem
| ed without beginning or end, they
| nevertheless, with ar earnest good
/ will and with experience born Of lona
| campaigning, soon reduced things 4
/ order. Three hours after the men had