Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-05-19
From the front.
cHfcKAMAUGA PARK, May 10, 1913.
III J1o1,,

Mr. EDIToR KNOWING as do OF tn
interest taken by the people in the report
of the war between Spain and the Unite'
States, and of the feeling of patriotism
manifested everywhere, herewith sent
you sketch OF what a small part o
4 Uncle Sans regular troops are doing il
historical park Of Chickamauga Here OF
the very field where ragged one of tn
i fiercest battles of the war of 1858, ar
encamped some eight thousand troops 0
the regular army, some of whom are SON
of the very men who fought like demon
on this very field, few short years ago
but no feeling of bitterness exists between
the men encamped here now. There i
only one feeling, and that is voiced /
Thousand times each day, in such cries, a
Down with Spain,"" and America forev
re.n There is no need for the regulars t.
shout Remember the Maine" for tn,
Maine is never forgotten, aud never will b.
as long as the American soldiers is il
| existence, and there is not man on tb,
grounds but is wi ling to brave tn,
climate of Cuba, to avenge our comrades
even though we have to tramp through
Spanish blood, for they were our comrades
even though they did not belong to oul
regiment, and we will avenge them though
many of US may die in the doing Enthu
siasm is kept alive by the playing o
patriotic airs by the splendid military
bands of the different regiments As
write, the eighth United States Infantry
B md is playing a concert, and judging by
the applause of the listeners, would say
\ it is meeting with a hattering ovation
We have music continually through tbs
day, and even the birds of the park are
being so enthused with the strains Of
martial music, that they have organized
| themselves into glee clubs quartetts and
such like, with special choir for Sunday
work. But joking aside, even war has itE
pleasant occasions, and a soldier seems tC
see the funny side o! everything. We
have lovely camp here in the sunny
southland, and no sickness in camp The
soldiers of the United States are strong,
healthy lot of fellows, aud almost perfect
10 physique. We all realize the misery
suffering and horrors of war, but we can.
not help feeling that we all want to meet
the Spaniards in a scrap, and | can say 10
all confidence, that they will not have q
lot of sleeping seamen to murder when
they meet Uncle Sans well-fed, we'll
clothed and highly intelligent troops in q
battle face to face.
The confirmation of the report oil
Admiral Deweys victory, no DOUBT, gives
the whole world an exalted idea Of the
| fighting qualities of the boys who wear
| the blue. Life in camp is vastly different
to garrison, or fort life. There we have
all of the comforts and Injuries of home
and every opportunity TO indulge in our
foxr ito nd IN VIC r,lo M
interest, within the surrounding country
There we haye our libraries, and our
billiard and pool rooms, and always first.
class gymnasium, if there is room for it.
There our tables are set with the best Of
| china ware, and silver plate. Everything
is scrupulously neat and clean. There
also we have our hot and cold baths
| within the building in which we live, but
in the field such convcniences must be left
behind. Instead each man has his KNAPP
sack, or blanket bag in which is packed
one wooden blanket, one suit of under
clothes, one blue flannel shirt, one pair Of
campaign or heavy shoes, two pairs oil
cotton or wooden socks, and tooth brush
and on the top OF the blanket bag, is
rolled and strapped the overcoat and cape.
The blanket bag is sometimes carried on
the shoulders and back of the men, end is
held in place by straps, but is more often
carried in the wagons which always
accompany the regiments. The whole
outfit weighs about forty pounds, and
when it is carried on the hack, each man
carries one half of small shelter tent, OF
as theg are commonly called. dog tents
Also four small pins, and two poles, each
about two feet in length, and as each man
must also carry his rife, weighing about
nine pounds, and belt containing 8 me-
times fifty, and sometimes one hundred
rounds of fixed or ball ammunition, il
can be easily seen that he has load
The.bands always get out of carrying the
blanket bag On the plea of not being able
to play the instruments, on account of the
bulk of the blanket bag. but happen to
know that they can carry it, and play
too. But musician is never addicted TO
work of any kind, and he always con-
siders his instrument enough for him to
carry, even though it be the little four
ounce picalo. With the blanket bag is
carried the haversack, which resembles the
game bag of Jersey sportsman when out
shooting birds out of season. It's capacious
nav is a receptacle for a field kit,
tobacco, pipe, newspaper, or novel, some
times ball.
A field kit consists of two Ito plates,
like saucers. but of oblOng shape, which
snap together when shut, and to one OF
which handle is attached which folds
neatly over both parts and which also
snaps into place when the dish is shut.
There is also a cup made of heavy block
tin, of half pint capacity, and steel
knife, fork and spoon. The haversack is
carried on the left side, and on the right
hangs the canteen, large round flask
made also of tin, and covered with can
vass This contains water, or some other
fluid that may be preferred by the owner
thereof When the knapsack is carried in
the wagons, the men march 10 light march
ing order, which is with the haversack,
cauteen and 0vercoat and shelter half,
rolled and carried on the right shoulder,
and under the left arm The shelter hall
dog tent, or pup, as it is called, is half OF
a small tent, and jointed pole about four
feet long, and three small wo den pins
Two men button their shelter halls together,
fasten them up with the poles. and down
with the pins, and they have very
comfortable little tent to sleep in.
Here at Chickamauga we have our large
roomy tents, but when the expected orders
comes to move, they will be left behind.
The men are being well exercised by hav-
ing parades, reviews and drills, but never
theless, they find time TO play base ball, go
fishing and swimming. or TO chase squir-
rels through the trees with sticks and
stones.
The park is beautiful place, about ten
miles square. 1t is well wooded, and has
good supply of fresh water. It is about
ten miles from the city of Chattanooga,
Tennessee, and the roads leading to and
through the park, are pc, feet for riding,
driving, and cycling. Everyday we
have large crowds of visitors who COME
from Chattanooga and the surrounding
country, and on Sunday the people that
visit the park, number many thousand.
They come some on foot, some on the
trains that run to the park, some on horses
some on cycles, and others in all sorts oil
rigs, from the numbering farm wagon, to
the nattiest traps, drags, and the ever gay
tally-ho's And when the bugle calls us
| to fall 10 line, and the command right face
forward march. falls upon our ears, .ve will
march out of Chick maugua with a frm
purpose, and an uDfattering tread, but
with feeling of regret. at leaving the
many warm hearted friends we haye made
since being encamped at Chick manga Park
Since enlisting in the American army az
military band musician, ! have spent
seven pleasant years in the service of the
country, now ! am ready and willing TO &c
with my comrades TO any place that duty