The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-09-05
AFTERMATH.
Current Gossip of the Recent
Guard Encampment.

Several bits of gossip and news in
connection with the recent encamp-
ment of the Fifty-Fir5t and Fifty
Second regiments of the Iowa Nation
al Guard held at Council Bluffs have
been in the air since the return of
the guardsmen to their homes and
some are of general interest.
The question of permanent camp
for the state guard is being carefully
investigated and there is no doubt
but that some action will be taken by
the next assembly. The expense of
a camp maintained for one week is
no small amount. The saving to the
state by having a camp at some GEN.
trail or convenient point would be
considerable. There could be enough
saved in the course of five years to
pay for the establishing of a permG-
nent camp. The advantages of a
camp of this sort are not to be over
estimated. All officers agree that
the encampments are of too short
duration. Much better results could
be obtained in the schooling of the
guard with a two weeks camp in
place of the single week of rush and
hurry that is now taken. There is
much for the, guardsman to learn
and weeks time is too short tor a
careful study of duties and obliga-
tions of camp and field. The sug
gestion has been made that barracks
be erected in the permanent camp
and the use of the tent dispensed
with. Accommodation for a full
regiment of officers and men could be
erected and the camp of one regiment
could follow another in desired order
making a summer military school
that would be of inestimable value to
both officers. and men. Continuous
contracts for provisions and supplies
could be made at permanent camp
that are. not now possible and the
saving lin this direction would be
great. The location of such camp
should.be central and the expense of
transportation for the several COM
panies of the regiments thus brought
to a minimum. We also suggest that
the camp be located at some point
where mosquitoes do not thrive. The
camp should tbe at some distance
from a city. 1 There should be little
interference of social annoyances
permitted. Ample drill space should
be requisiteGand above all things
there should be an abundant supply
of the best and purest of water. An
electric line could give easy commu-
nication-.witb the town when desired.
Such a camp would do much toward
the education of the state guard and
the nextiassembly should exercise it's
best Judgment in settling the question
for all time. The Iowa Guard is an
institution of which every Iowan
should be proud and have keenest
interest in. < It.can easily be brought
to that point where it will be the
equal if.not the superior of any state
guard in the United States. This is
the end desired by the splendid Off
GERS of the guard.and as help thereto
the permanent camp is suggested and
favored.
The excellent standing of Company
F. rFifty-First regiment, Oskaloosa,
in the guard was attested on the
breaking of camp by the personal
expressions of Colonel Lincoln.
When the company was presented at
the headquarters of the colonel seek
ing its dismissal from camp, that
gentleman took occasion to person
ally commend the company for the
splendid showing made in the camp.
He praised the drill work, the gen.
eral conductyof the men and the ex-
cellent department of.the entire COM
pany in and out of camp. The little
address was couched in no uncertain
language and there was not aguards-
man hearing the colouel's words who
did not feel we'll repaid for any part
he had played in the upbuilding OF
the company.