The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-11
Where They are Chartered and
How They Fare

The Departure Of tie Sumter Light Iofan-
try for Colombia. the enthusiasm of patriot
ism and the pain and sorrow of parting from
family aod friends that attended the dspar-
ture are still vividly present in memory, grief
is still auassusged and nothing needs to be
said of the departure save TO say to the peo-
PIE of Sumter that the members of the Sum-
ter Light Infantry appreciated and will ever
remember With feelings OF pride and pleasure
the farewell and the God speed the people of
Sumter gave them Thursday morning On
the trip there we're many cad hearts, not 8
few eyes were misty ard there were husky
voices that cheered when the train lett the
depo: aod the crowd that surrounded H.,
bat when Coluneia was reached The soldier
boys were ready to fall in and Keep step to
the tap Of the drum.
Moi. Henry T. Thompson was at the depot
10 take command Of the companies from the
Fourth Regiment The companies were form
I'd at once and the line Of march to the camp
eaken up The battalion was preceded by q
band OF music, the Darlington Guards lead
ing tue line, the Naming Guards next and
the Sumter Light Infantry, 80 strong, briog-
ing up the rear. "Our company" tho not
in uniform and without guns, made hne
appearance and it was the general comment
that finer looking hody Of men bad not
marched MP Main Street since the troops were
called together. The average height of the
men was above the ordinary, the men in the
first two or three sets Of fours being SIX feet
or more in height. Sumter has u company
which the town sad county have rignt.to
feel proud of, aud the future will prove that
it has the right men in it 10 make record IN
active service TIE large number CT Citadel
graduates, and graduates of other military
schools in the company gives 1t cbarac-
ter and spirit that will coon render 1t a
thoroughly organized and discipliotd unit.
The updrilled and untraioed recruits will
soon catch step with the meu who have had
The advantages of thorough military train-
ing The very appearance Of the company
yesterday was gratifying, and The future has
DO forebodings for it.
The company vas assigned quarters 10 tne
machinery hall, second floor at the Fair
Grounds, and as soon as cots and blankets
are furnished, they will be fairly comfortable
The recruits are furoisbed rstioos from
building in another portion OF the GROUNDS
end each conpany ls marched up TO toat
building 10 body. each man receiving bis
rations On lin plate. The company is then
marched back te quarters to eat. When the
plates are cleaned out the company is march
ed by with the empty plates. Everylbiog IS
dooe with order aud system, and the boys
we're beginning on the 6rst day to learn some
thing about soldiers life.
The Fair Grounds Camp is under the com
mand of Lieu. Colonel rillmsn, with Moi.
Thorn psoo second in command. Col Aisloo
has commano OIL both campe, the one at
Hyatt's Park aud at the Fair Grounds. Mi.
STOKES and Asj Earle are at Hyatts PARK.
The officers are making every effort to pro-
vide comfortable quarters fc- the troops and
10 furuish wholesome food in abundance, out
ut present there is unavoidaoly some hard
ships 10 be endured. The physical e1amioa-
ton of recruits is very rigid, it icing iden-
tical With the requirements for enlistment IN
...e -@:.!er army, and large number OF those
who have enlisted will be rejected. Beyond
question the roll OF the Sumter Light lntan'ry
will be reduced below the minimum nuA Der
required, and it will te necessary that recruits
De loucd to fill Up the gaps 10 the company
ANY mau who desires 10 enlist can hnd
nee IN the Samter Light Iofantry during
toe De1t few days. Applications should be
made at once to Capt. L. s. Carsor, Fair
Grouods Columbia, 5. G.