The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-16
The New Forty-sixth
Regiment Breaks
Camp.
A SIGHT THAT is RARELY SEEN
U. S. Volunteers Camp at
birmingham is
No More.

NO MOrG.
Early this morning occurred the
most picturesque event that has yet
take place in the history of the new
Forty-siXth regiment at South Franz
ingham, an event which was OF more
interest to watch than anything in the
routine of military life, yet which is
least often seen, principally because it
takes place in the gray Of the early
morning, before the sun has risen and
while most people are getting their
soundesr sleep.
Yesterday previous to breaking camp
this order was given the various COM
pany cooks:
Get your kits ready to pack as soon
as possible in the morning, and nave
breakfast ready at o'clock"
To the men, lined up for retreat roll
call, th5 order was read by the orderly
sergeant:
"Reveille will be at in the morning.
AS soon as you get up roll your blank
cts, pack your blanket bags, Ill your
canteens and haversacks, and be ready
to fall in in heavy marching order at
five minutes notice. The mess call VIII
be sounded at o'clock, and the tents
must be packed as soon as possible.
The men fell out and gathered in little
groups discussing the probabilities Of
the order. The old soldiers among them
soon rolled themselves in their army
blankets. and bothering their heads lit
tie about the morrow, prepared to get
what sleep they could before the early
call The new recruits who are about
to enjoy a new experience, could not
get to sleep so easily. They guess
and wonder what it will be like and
| in consequence of their nervousness get
little of the sleep they need so badly.
Finally, long after taps" has been
sounded. the sound of conversation dle
away. The camp Is still, and save FOR
the morotonous pacing Of the sehtrleS,
appears deserted.
A SIGHT SELDOM SEEN.
Sharp and clear on the crisp morning
air rang out the stirring notes OF the
reveille I'VE can't get 'em W, we
can't get EN- UP, we can't get en- up
in the morning; we can't get EN- up,
we can't get 'em up, we can't get EN-
up at all" 1t seems to the weary SOL
dier as though he had been scarcely five
minutes asleep, yet he must tumble INTO
scurry forth to take his place il line,
buttonng his clothes as he goes. The
roll is hastily called, and the camp al
once assumes an appearance of activity
and hustle.
Every man must roll mis- blanket, hrts
folding it the correct number of times,
and insert it in his blanket bag, placing
at the bottom his spare Shoes and iii
the folds OF the blanket his blue shirt,
i 4 lnf ffFaIn
Then the knapSack is fastened together
and the shelter tent and poncho, or
rubber blanket neatly rolled and
strapped on top.
Meanwhile the cooks have not been
idle Long before reveille their fires
were going, and they were fastening
preparations for the morning meal. The
slices of bacon are suffering in the
pan, the bread is sliced, and the fra
grant commissary coffee is bubbling
away in the huge iron boiler.
At o'clock the hungry men come
trooping to the "cook shack with APP
petites whetted by the frosty morning
air Tho crisp bacon, fresh bread and
steaning coffee are soon disposed of, and
the men wash their dishes and replace
them into the haYersacks. A days ra-
ton of bread and corned beef is issued
to each man and packed away in his
haversack Then the cooks pack up
their provisions and utensils, and get
things ready for the wagons.
BREAK CAMP"
Immediately after breakfast the vari-
Gus tent squads began to loosen the tent
pins and unlock the guy ropes. The
floors are carried away and packed in
the building whence they were taken.
They will be left behind and hence
e