The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-24

tons were the chief attractions at Camp
Thomas. The appointment CT Colonel
Grisgsby as brigade commander of the
first brigade made Colonel Lloyd the
reSimental commander, and his stern
discipline continued the work that had
been so successfully inaugurated by
Colonel Griggsby. The Third cavalry
was equipped and drilled, ready for the
field, 80 days before the Roosevelt regi-
ment was recruited. To see this latter
regiment take the field, while the
Third was compelled to remain in the
pest-ridden camp at Chickamauga, was
bitter disappointment to the young
soldiers, but they bore it as soldiers
should, hoping that their turn would
come some day
The Griggsby Rough Riders were at
tached to the First brigade, first d-
vision, first army corps-their COM
panies had been the first recruited and
their men were all drilled and equipped
for the field. Their grizzled command
er, Colonel Griggsby. was a veteran
soldier. splendid commander and q
born fighter: yet they We're compelled
to remain inert in camp, While the
glory that they felt should be theirs
was taken by regiment that had been
month later than theirs in getting
ready for the field. The hospital report
of the regiment shows that, prior to IT'S
muster out, So men died in the service.
There were several deaths after the
muster out, the exact number of which
cannot be obtained at this time. Thus
the regiment lost more men from AL
geritis than the First Montana infan-
try lost in the field.
1t was said by scores of correspond
ents who wrote concerning the army
at Camp Thomas that the Griggsby
regiment was the best in the camp,
and that the Montana squadron was
n nDirp 1,
the best in the crack regiment.
It's horses were the best in
the entire cavalry brigade and
It's men ranked as the best rifle
shots. The horses were from Montana
stock and it's men had been accus-
toned to draw bead on deer and elk
from boyhood. They were accustomed
to camp life and knew how to take care
OF horses. Captain Higgins, the rank
ing captain of the regiment. is an ex-
peri and enthusiastic horseman and his
services and example did much to main
tam the high standard that was es-
taplished IN horseflesh byt the Montana
squadron Lest this statement as to
the superiority of the Cowboys be
taken as empty buster, the following
extract is printed taken from the
chattanooga News on the afternoon of
the grand review that preceded the
muster out of the 10000 men at Camp
Thomas:
Colonel Griggsby was the first to
pass the review stand in command Of a
cavalry brigade. As the buglers passed
in front of the reviewing officers thew
poured forth their best strains. They
marched to the left of the stand and
kept up their music until their COM
mand had passed.
Colonel Griggsby's COWBOYS next
passed, and a glorious view it was.
Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd was in COM
mand, and as they passed in front of
General Breckenridge the noted gentle
man raised his hat high above his head
in salute of the noble westerners
Griggsby's men are all fine looking
ones, and mounted they look extreme
ly we'll To see their line coming to-
ward the reviewing stand reminded the
old soldiers of the dark days of 81.
THE cowboys all looked superb. AS
they passed General Breckenridge was
heard to say It's a pity these brave
boys could not have had a chance to
show Spanish soldiers what kind Of
material they are made Of
During their march in front of the
reviewing stand General Breckenridge
almost continually kept his hat from
his head, as did Governor Atkinson,
who sat on his right
That was an honor that General
breckenridge accorded to no other or
sanitation. 1t was the involuntary
tribute of great soldier to soldiers
ne knew soldiers when he saw them.
There We're hany incidents that oc-
CURED during the camp life of the cow
boys that opened the eyes of the east
erners as to the character of their
western comrades, 1t had been expect
ed that the cowboy regiment would be
mace up of long haired, whooping, il
Nterafe fellows, and the fasteners had
prepared 70 have not little fun at the
expense OF the boys from the north
west. mat they We're disappointed
soeS without saying. The regiment es-
Eaoiishea reputation for gallantry and