The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-20

South Framingham, camp of Second
brigade, Aug. 19.-The camp of the Sec
ond brigade was finally opened today,
and before taps were blown to end the
first days tour of duty, Brig. Gen. Ma
thews had won for himself a warm
place in the hearts of every one of his
men. He has made plans for an en-
campment that are strictly military to
a detail, but yet allow the men certain
privileges that tend to offset the strain
of duty.
The heat has been intense at camp
all day, and many of the old-timers
vouch for the statement that today has
been one of the warmest days ever
known at muster. No cases of pros
tration by the heat have been report
ed at the hospitals. The men are en-
joying themselves, although some of
them have got considerable work this
early in getting into camp.
Today Gen. Mathews sent a letter to
I Col Edmund Rice of the Twenty-sixth
volunteer infantry, modifying at
Plattsburg barracks, New York, invit-
ing him TO review the First brigade
Thursday at camp. There is not the
slightest doubt but that Col. Rice will
accept, as he is to be in Boston on that
day on business in connection with his
regiment. Tonight Gen. Mathews told
The Spy man that he was a personal
friend of Col. Rice, and felt certain the
old veteran would accent
Col Rice is anxious his regiment
should go through Boston on its way
to the Philippines, according to Gen.
Mathews, as the rank and file is made
up of more than 500 New England men.
1t will be treat to the boys at camp
to see Col. Rice and especially members
of the Sixth regiment, as he had COM
mand of it in Porto Rico.
Last night Gen. Mathews issued a
call for all commissioned officers
of his brigade to assemble at the Y.
M. G. A. tent at 7.S0 o'clock. True to
* the call of the commanding general, the
"non-conS' filled the tent to overflow
and listened to some sound advice on
their duty towards the men under them
in addresses by Gen. Mathews, Col
Clark of the Second, Col. Darling of
the Sixth, and Maj Duchesney of the
First battalion of light artillery.
N Gen. Mathews arrived at the tent a
short time before the hour set for
the talk, and sent for the other regi-
mental commanders. Brig Gen Ma
thews, in addressing the men, said in
part:
ut is your duty as non commissioned
officers, to look after each man placed
in your charge, and see that he does
his duty. The Second brigade has just
completed tour of duty. it will be
hard to beat. But we must do it, and
not be first in name. but in reputa-
ton"
In introducing Col Clark, Gen. Ma
thews said that a man was about to
address them of whom every citizen of
Massachusetts had right to be proud.
He had done his duty well, and was an
honor to his country.
@ Col. Clark aimed his remarks wholly
at his own on-commissioned officers.
and took occasion to criticise his own
regiment for the dress parade it went
Through this afternoon. The colonel
made mention of a number Of glaring
errors, and laid it to the large number
Of new officers in the regiment.
Col. Clark was cheered to the echo,
both when he arose and when he sat
down, and clearly demonstrated his
popularity with the men.
Col. Darling of the Sixth was the next
speaker, and he too, received a good
share of applause.
He also criticised his own regiment.
He eulogized the regular troops who
had Oampaigned with the regiment in
Porto Rico. In closing his remarks,
Col Darling said that the Sixth regi-
ment had already lost $50 men and six
officers to the Twenty-sixth volunteer
regiment and one company in the
Sixth had alone lost 20 men.
" In quoting these figures Col DARLING,
stated that he did so to show what q
useful institution the state militia was.
Mai. Duchesney was introduced by
Gen. Mathews as q gallant old soldier
OF the civil war, and his remarks were
Witty and to the point. He pointed to
his own case as an example for the non
CONS, and showed what perseverance,
end military exactness had done for
him In the civil war, when he rose from
q private to a captain in four years
term Of service.
Gen. Mathews closed the evenings
exerclses by reminding the men he had
given them a few extra hours at night
In which to rest and he hoped thew
would take advantage of IL and do what
they could as individuals and non-com-
miasIoned officers to make the brigade
sscondSto none.
No Visitors will be admitted to camp
tomorrow without passes. At 3 a. m. all
regimcntal battalion and unattached
commanders will inspect their com
mands and the men will dress in blue
fatigue uniforms. Services will be held
at the option Of commanders.
The Light Infantry, Co. C, Of the Sec
ona regiment, was the first Worcester