The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-25
BACK FROM CAMP.


-EBC6N @D
the Universal Opinion -Roys Thor.
ou.hIy Pleased and treaty Bene~
Etted-want wrIghtsvilIe for Next
Encampment
The Wilmington Light Infantry re-
turned from camp yesterday with coll
ors flying and conscious of having es-
tablished an indispensable record lor
g~entlemanly conduct and soldtery aph-
ity, in spite Of the many obstacles that
some home folks" threw in their path.
The arrived shortly past noon
via the Will. ,ington and New Bern rail-
road and at once marched to their
handsome armory, where they were
dismissed, but before they were
dismissed Captain Charles II. White,
the genial commander, took occasion to
express his qualification at the excel
lent manner in which h company had
acquitted itself while in camp. He COM
plimented the boys highly and told them
that he felt indeed proud of being cap
tain of such a crack military organiza-
ton. He concluded his remarks by an
uOuICluS lIdL oClSCdhN NAoAAP "SD'
Davis had been appointed adjutant of
the Third battalion of the Second reg1-
ment, which appointment Sergeant Da-
Wis richly deserved, as he was a thor
ough military man and had ever been
faithful in the discharge Of duty.
Upon dismissal OF the company the
popularity of Captain White n Adj
jutant Davis was exemplified by the
vigorous manner in which both were
cheerer by the to a man. Ad-
jutant Davis was congratulated on ev-
cry hand on his appointment by his
comrades, who were highly jubilant "
the fact that one of their number and
such a popular and competent n had
been selected for the position.
ENCAMPMENT SUCCESSFUL.
From what we can learn the encamp-
ment was a big success, resulting bene-
ficially alike to the rank and file. Cap
tain White says it is generally conced-
ed that his company, our Light In
fantry, was the best drilled
in camp, and as an evidence of this out
of six of the colonel's orderlies four
We're selected from the ranks of the
Wilmington Light Infantry. The boys
also made their mark for decorum, as
not a one saw the inside of the guard
tent, unless on duty, during the entire
encampment. They, on account of
their strict attention to duty and gen.
eral cleVerneSS, were great faVOriteS
with the officers. One member of the
company, Private Allen Higgins, was
taken sick and had to be sent home, &C
companied by Private Samuel Hall, Jr.,
but with this exception the men kept
well and hearty.
The Light Infantry was the first
company to arrive at the camp. They
reached the scene Saturday night, a
week 6 yesterday, and were confront
ed with dismal prospects, as there were
no tents at the grounds, and they had
to gather up their baggage in the dark
and make the best of a bad bargain.
Naturally, they were somewhat dis
couraged. but they managed to pull
themselves together and get as COM
Portable as the situation would allow,
and later a every reason to rejoice
that they were the first to arrive, as
the other ten companies Of the regi-
ment reached the camp together, and
with such a large number Of men
scrambling around after baggage and
places to quarter confusion reigned SUI
Dreme.
The tents arrived late Saturday night
and were pitched the next day, and
then things commenced to get ship
shape. Monday drilling was inaugural
ed and kept up, greatly to the benefit
of the companies, until camp was tbrok-
en-, which was yesterday morning at 5
o'clock. The perfect discipline that
prevailed was eVinced by the regiment
breaking camp exactly to the second
of the hour appointed. The camp was
aStir at $3.50 o'clock and the men went
systematically to work getting ready
to leave A few minutes before the
scheduled time the companies i'm per-
feet order boarded the waiting train
and precisely at 5 o'clock the train
pulled out.
The advanced detail of the Third
vpOinnnf a rri un6 OF fhn IN ENriInx,
night and early yesterday morning and
last night the regiment went into camp.
The boys enjoyed the camp life very
much, both from a business and social
standpoint. Most of the gaiety, Of
course, was enacted at M~orehead.
where there was dancing every night
and Thursday and Friday evening
there was a military a i
The boys complain of the name in
which their position was taken advan-
tage of by vendors, merchants and
others, who charged them e~xorbitant
prices for their wares.
THE BANNER COMPANY.
The Light Infantry made a record
that the citizens of Wilmington should
feel proud of, for in spite of the fact |
that they were handicapped they went |
in camp and justly won the title of the
best drilled company of the regiment. !
Colonel w. B.. Rodman, who the boys |
say is a perfect gentleman and an Of |
ficer of great ability, was loud in praise :
OF the efficiency and behavior of the |
Light Infantry. Then, too, Whining
ton was represented by three staff Of
ncers-Lieutenant Colonel w. A. John
son, an officer of widespread populari-
ty. Regimental Adjutant Bradley
Wooten, who enjoys the we'll merited
reputation of being one of the best
drilled men in the Old North State, and
Battalion Adjutant Champ Med. Davis.
The appointment of Sergeant Davis
as a%djutant is one case where merit
won its just reward, as the position was
unsolicited by Sergeant Davis or his
friends. 1t was a complete surprise
to all.
the appointment was made by Major
ii. {. Bragaw, of Washington, an ex-
ceedingly clever officer, and is one
richly deserved by Sergeant Davis, as
is Well versed in military matters.
and is a young gentleman of great pop
He has been one of the Light
.Infantry's most efficient and faithful
and was among those who re-
to his country's call to arms
in the late war and went away with
$50