Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-02
BACK IN OLD CAMP.
The Fourth Virginia Regiment
at Savannah
| BEAUTY OF GEORGIA PINES.
Their Appreciation Of Commonplace
Things at Home.
VERY LITTLE DRILLING NOW.
A CustOm-HOuse Farce-Heavy Duty
on Donkeys and POnies-A Protest.
The Mustering-Out Order-PersOnai
Notes of Interest.
A CustOm-HOusc Farce-Heavy Duty
Notes of Interest.
Correspondents of the Dlspatch)

| CAMP ONWARD, SAVANNAH GA.
March 31.-As the volunteer who has just
returned from Cuba wakes up in his new
camp near Savannah, he has TO rub his
eyes, shake himself leave his tent. and
gaze at the Georgia pines long and steadi-
| ~ to assure himself that they are not
royal palms. Then he has to trudge
around in the sand at his tent door TO
convince himself that he is not stuck in
the mud of Camp Columbia.
Commonplace things in the States
| now have an attractiveness which was
| never observed before. The pine trees,
which are more valued than mahogany
I'm Cuba, loom up on all sides with many
a nod of friendly welcome to the return
cd travellers, who hadn't seen u forest
since leaving last December. The
weather-board and log cabins of the
plantation darkies prove quite a relief
after gazing for three months on the
gayly-cOlored plaster houses and thatched
bohois of the Cubans. A great deal Of
pleasure Is found in walking up and
down the wide pavements of an American
town, where it is not necessary to step
into the driveway to allow another pc
destrian to pass, and where a fellow may
read English signs and talk to people
who won't shake their heads and say:
"No comprehende."
One Of the members of Company NJ,
who Is envied by more than one of his
comrades and admired by senoritas in
Cuba and fair maidens in the States for
the many gifts which Apollo has be-
slowed upon him. yesterday ruined one
of his best firtations by approaching with
his customary winning manners a pretty
senorita who had smiled upon him and
absent mindedly asking, Senorita, Obla
Ingles?" Thereat she "about faced" and
ito the rear marched" evidently divlning
that she had either wasted her smiles
upon a foreigner, or one who had tarried
long over his cups.
However, some of the evils which we
escaped are matched nip and tuck by
those in Georgia. The boys bade fare
well in Cuba TO the mosquitoes and fieas,
which knew no difference in person, rank
or place in the performance OF their
functions, TO renew their acquaintance
with the Georgia gnats. which may be
found in regiments, brigades. ana corps
anywhere at any time In this section
They seem 10 have a peculiar affinity for
soldiers, and bite anywhere on the
hands or face is n much coveted morsel
for them. No time seems to suit them
so well for their operations as guard
mount or dress parade, when the SOL
der is helpless, so far as raising his
hands Is concerned. AS a consequence
of the annoyance from this pest dress
parades are now infrequent
The routine OF military life IS some
what easier now than IL was during the
time the Seventh Army Corps occupied
this camp last December. when the
troops were being trained for service.
Little or no drilling is INDUCED in by any
OF the regiments stationed here, the only
duties being those OF guard and keeping
the camp in order.
When the Fourth Virginia arrived car
penters were already on hand building
Kitchens and floors.
The camp is fitted up with wall tents
for four men each, the same which were
used at the camp last fall
Soldiers are given the freedom Of the
town without any stringency about
passes, and so far no undue advantage has
been taken Of IT, All OF the Virginians
have found hearty welcome at the homes
of the hospitable friends whom they had
IN, ab =
found in settling with Savannahs daugh-
ters the old scores so successfully begun
by the first volley Of Cupid's darts, but
so abruptly interrupted I'm their incid-
ency by the embarkation last December
Companies G, ID, |. *, and n, who ar
rived last night with regimental head |
quarters and the band heaved long sigh |
of relief as they came into camp this |
and settled into the tents which |
had already been pitched FOR them by |
their thoughtful comrades.
The custom house officials made as great |
a farce of examining the possessions |
Of the men as the quarantine officials did |
in fumigatlng them. The latter ever
looked all clothes worn by the passengers, |
while the customs officials incurred the /
displeasure OF the men by overlooking |
some baggage altogether, and being very |
IiBlu III Inspecting AAeAA p'A''irits7 ~ /
others After he had allowed ,he vari-
nus mascots and pets. which consisted OF
parrots, dogs, cats, pigs, snakes,
ETC., TO pass unchallenged, the men were
very much surprised when he called a
halt on the two Cuban donkeys ard the
little pony which were the fayorites OF the
whole regiment. great protest was |
-aised thereat. The price OF these In
cuba Is not more than s. apiece, but the
,xorbltant official charged $50 duty on
Zach. making total OF $50. So the little
nascots, which nearly all the officers
md mem Of the regiment had ridden,
we're left in his charge until the tariff
IN soldiers donkeys is reduced.
The mastering out OF the troops iere
progresses slowly, on account OF The limit
d force OF mustering-out officers en-
,aged in this work. The Maine artillery
Vere finally relieved to-day, and the inen
ire now on their way home. The .2d
Sew York to-day turned In ali Of their
ifies and other ordnance stores, and row
walk guard duty with sticks. They Will
~ mustered out on the 18th of April. ard
he Second Louisiana on the 18th. followed
~ the First North Carolina a few days
ater. Further dates have not been ar
anged yet, but IT Is thought that the
fourth Virginia will be gotten OUT CT SER
ice on the 18th OF April.
Private William Crump. OF Company II.
Oh, WAS suffering with an attack OF