Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-12-03
NEWS FROM CAMP ONWARD.

NEWS FROM CAMP ONWARD.
Sergeant Deal Tells What the Troops Are
Doing In Savannah.
Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
CAMP ONWARD, Savannah, Ca,
November 27.-Thanksgiving Day has
passed and gone, and it will be MEM
orable one for many reasons but to the
soldiers of the Seventh army corps,
principally for the fact that the ladies
of city of the size of Savannah under
took the mammoth task of feeding 12,-
600 hungry soldiers, and succeeded so
well that, although there was naturally
not the great abundance left after the
feast as was the case in Columbia, yet
there was enough for every one and to
spare. 1t was truly great and gener-
Gus offering of loving and sympathetic
hearts and they deserve no end of
credit.
Otherwise the day passed as usual.
Although it was general holiday, there
was very little drinking and disorder,
presumably becauseit had been too long
since pay day. The foot ball teams of
the First Texans and Forty. Ninth Iowa
and of the First North Carolina and
Second Illinois, met in match games,
while the men generally took q rest
from the daily routine of camp life.
Yesterday we turned in the Spring
field and received in return the new
Krag Jorgensen or United States maya
zine rifle. To most of the men it was
like getting new toy but some, how
ever, did not see go much cause to re-
joice, for the rifle is very complicated
and intricate and will no doubt prove
very difficult to keep clean for men in
camp, while the old Spring6elds are
comparatively simple aud easy.
1t is very much superior gun, and
many have declared their intention of
keeping theirs when the regiment is
mustered out. All are now eager for
another trip to the rife range. When
the regiment was there before, it was
too close upon payday, nerves were un.
steady, and although there were some
6ue shots the general average was poor.
The target was the representation of
man looking over an embankment, with
head and shoulders visible, and the
range was 200 and 300 yards. At 200
yards the men fired without rest. At
800 yards they fired kneeling, resting
their elbow on the knee. Each man
fred five shots at each target. A bulls
eye counted FIVE, ranging downward to
two for mere hit, and 0 for miss.
The best shot for the Second was
made by Corporal Jennings, of Com
pany D, he making 40 out of posi-
BILE SO. Everyone, however, believes
that he can better his previous record
and is eager for another trial.
The first division was reviewed
and inspected by Major General Keef-
er, its commander, in the Park Ex-
tension in Savannah last Tuesday. The
division was formed in line Of regiments
in column of companies, the Second
South Carolina occupying the right of
the line and leading the review. The
regiment was favorably mentioned in
the Savannah papers next morning.
General Lee was out on his handsome
grey, but did not take part in the re-
view.
The very cold weather of the last
few days forms quite contrast to the
sweltering heat we encountered in
Florida; but the men are pretty COM
fortably fixed up now for winter in
Savannah and home next spring as
many still believe will be the case.
The tents are all foored and walled
and many present an interesting study
of ingenious contrivances to save
space and promote comfort. Each
company has building about 12x10O
feet which they use as kitchen and
mess hall, and in unpleasant weather
as kind of club room.
The contracts for the hospital build
ings have been let, and they are to be
begun at once. They are to cost, l un-
derstand, over 100000, and will be
finished, l suppose, after we leave.
This was the case in Jacksonville, and
is merely an illustration of the enor-
nous extravaganza and waste that
characterize the movements of an
army.
There are still about rs absent from
the regiment on account of sickness at
Jacksonville ; but the health of the reg
iment and the corps is unusually good.
There are none of the daily new cases
of typhoid fever, the principal sickness
being measles and mumps.
Friday morning, a squad of men
were started on so mile forced march
in order to test some new condensed
food, about two spoonsful of which
constitute a meal. They will march
about 20 miles day, in full marching
order, carrying knapsack with.cbange
of clothing, ETC., haversack containing
dishes, knife, fork, cup, spoon and
rations; blankets, poncho (oil cloth),
shelter tent, canteen, cartridge belt and
rifle-in all about 60 pounds.
Payday, the great day for the habit
ualy broke soldier, is now close upon
us, and about $500, 1000 will be paid to
the soldiers here, three -fourths of
which, it is safe to say, will be spent in
and of that very large
part will 60 to the barrooms. In a
few days the majority will be "broke"
again, for the volunteer soldier seems
to consider it his duty 10 get rid Of his
money as soon as possible, and then