Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-23
At CAMP RICHARDS.
A Dull Day Tor the Cadets-WiIi Break Camp
This Morning.

There is, or rather used to be, some
time in the dim past, an expression
occasionally heard which runs like
this: las lonesome as a motherless colt
| in pennyroyal pasture" and surely it
would require no great stretch Of the
imagination to picture to ourselves how
lonesome a colt might be under those
| dismal conditions
/ That is just how Camp Richards ap-
F., peared TO the Journal reporter, as he
drove slowly across the field in the
drizzle. Tuesday afternoon. 1t is WON
derful what difference the weather
makes in the appearance Of things in
general. and Camp Richards in par
/ tlcular. TO be sure, the tents were
there. just as white as when the sun
shown on them during the past week.
and the flag Heated just as calmly from
the staff on the parade ground. as it
had under sunny skies. but still there
was an indiscribable something about
the scene that brought to mind the
above quotation.
Tuesday was, in reality. the last day
in camp. although the boys DO not
leave for home until this forenoon.
| Preparations for departure were I'M
derway, however. and a big load Of
chests and other articles that could be
spared We're sent in. Tuesday afternoon.
in order to make the final breaking up
| easier for the boys.
Owing to the stormy weather no at
| temps was made To have any drills
during the day, and aside from assist
| ing to load the baggage train. the boys
were left to do just as they wished
And they were having lots of fun Some
of them were feeling the effects of their
trip to Silver lake, inasmuch as they
had badly sunburned backs. and Dr.
Tucll was called upon to apply vase
| line and talcum powder to several.
Lieutenant Cunningham was obliged to
go to town in the afternoon to see a
physician so badly was his back Bills
tered.
Gen. White. in speaking of the bis
tered backs. said that he never saw
the boys line up any better than they
did at dress parade. Thursday evening,
| and the reason was that hardly boy
| in the company could do otherwise
than stand erect, even if he had wished
| to assume an easier attitude, on ac-
count of sunburn.
The boys all say that they have had
one of the best times of their lives, and
| would like to remain longer. but at
| the same time they will be glad to get
home. There have been very few cases
Of nostalgia lately and Melvin Frost
is the only one at present affected with
| the malady. He lately manifested
symptoms. and it was hoped that he
could be persuaded to remain in camp
until Wednesday morning, but the
trouble developed steadily until Mon
day night. when he gave up and went
home. Gardiner Heath was affected
with the same trouble, but he has sue
ceeded in fighting it off, and is now
numbered among the stayers.
That the life in camp has been bene-
fetal to the boys there is not a doubt.
Aside from the benefits of the mill
tary training, they have grown rugged,
and in many instances plump in the
open air life, and when they come home
today. those who have not seen them
for two weeks will readily see the diff
ference.
Drummer Williamson left on fur
Tough. Saturday. and has not yet re-
ciated at dress parade. Monday. His
| furlOugh was not given at his request.
and in order to get him out of camp his
| father was obliged to pay him quite
sum of money as a bride 1t is not
known definitely just how much the
| young man received. but it has been
quoted as high as dollar and half.
Sergeant Metcaf has not been in
camp for several days, for reasons of
his own. and Jack Hyde has been act
| ing first sergeant in his stead.
| At rifle practice during the encamp-
ment, Arthur Rand holds the highest
| score-13 out of a possible %. and has
| not been defeated. Wayne Savage has
| scored IL, and Roscoe Dunn. II.
1t was rumored, last week that the
| Hallowell Cadets would make a night
| attack on the camp. and precautions
We're taken to guard against surprise.
| Outposts were established every night
and the most trustworthy boys placed
| on the picket line but the enemy came
| not, and peace rested nightly over the
scene. The boys were prepared for all
contingencies, and had the down river
youngsters put in an appearance. they
| would have been accorded the warmeSt
reception they had ever realized since
| the days when they counted the spots
in the carpet while lying face down
| ward across the maternal knee.
| This morning. the boys will bid fare
well to Camp Richards until next year.
and return to their home They will
arrive in the city at about II o'clock,
and will march from the gas house.
down Water street and across the
bridge to the armory where they will
be dismissed. That they have had a
good time need not be said, and GER
tainly thanks are due Mr.. White for
the efforts he has put forth to make
their vacation a happy one. and also
one whose benefits will be realized by
the boys in years to come.