The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1901-08-03
ENCAMPMENT OF THE
FIRST REGIMENT

'hO ooupherH anu ILLINOIS central rail-
roads was pleasant and was enlivened
oy the music of the regimental band.
AT ltta Bena large crowd of admiring
citizens assembled at the depot to see
their soldier boys off. And as this
company marched to their coach to the
time Of a lively march, they were Justify
cheered. At Winona the coaches were
transferred to the l. c. tracks to await
the 1870 southbound train. This left
several hours to loaf around in that en-
terprising little city. Winona is all
right but she has got some mighty
slow citizens. Some of them didn't
know that this state had National
Guard, and asked some of the BOYS If
war had been declared against Spain
again. The 1890 train brought in the
Holly Spring. West Point and Oxford
companies. When our coaches were
coupled up 1t made a train of twelve
cars.
We arrived at Durant at 1:30 p. M,
and the city was full of soldiers who
had arrived in the morning. A line OF
march was soon formed, and with Col
onel Levy and his staff, mounted, in
the lead, 400 soldiers took an "ankle
excursion" to the camp grounds at
Castalian Springs, three and half
miles west of the city. The march had
no sooner started when heavy rain
poured for about twenty minutes. This
settled the dust, cooled the atmosphere,
making the march pleasant one. The
boys sang, cheered and guyed every
body they passed.
Better camp grounds could not have
been selected, and all were pleased
with the arrangements. OF course. at
first, things did not run smoothly, but
in days time everything was running
with a military precision that was
worthy all the praise given the com
manding officer. The daily program
was very often,relieved of monotony by
receptions given to the sponsors, OIL
GERS, etc. just ask the band boys
about these receptions, and ask them
how drunk the Colonel made them on
ice water at one OF these very delight
full occasions. Everybody said that =
more jolly or good natured set than the
boys of the First Regiment Baud can
not be found, and the band boys are OF
the opinion that, in some instances,
this good naturedness was imposed
upon.
Saturday was sham battle day and
the visitors to the camp grounds on
this day numbered up in the thousands.
The plan of attack was nicely executed
and every movement was in ltnll view
of the spectators. At the final charge
a very heavy rain came up and all the
soldiers were called from the field.
The following Monday was Governor's
Day. He was received at the camp by
a salute of seventeen gun fired by
the cannons, the Governors salute, and
the band playing "Hail to the Chief"
At dress parade in the evening, the
troops we're inspected by the Governor,
and then passed in review before him;
The Governors and Sponsors balls
were very brilliant occasions. The
handsome evening costumes of the
beautiful women, together with the
nattily groomed officers and soldiers.
intermingled with the dress suits OF
civilians, presented gorgeous specta-
Gle and a scene of granduer seldom, If
ever before, witnessed at the Springs.
The First Regiment Band furnished
the music for these occasions and Tor
the regular nightly dances
In oil there were nine companies on
.ho Grounds and all were we'll trained
:. i;itarv tactics.i The Greenwood
oomnanv S. R. Keesler, CAPTAIN, took
t.ort rank in numbers, manouverings,
and in the manual OF arms but enen
Nv are the pride of the city OF
Cnoenwood and when every citizen
-. snch an interest the very best
results are always reached rms com
ros oiven the high honor of re-
paDS; S;m The flag for the regiment at
ceIsiu ar of the presentation of the
cele ceotol oolots. This ceremony is
one of the pretttest IN mlilIary uoins . .
and thrills the heart OF every pa'rio'l0
American. al ,bese honots
'.a"d wv ~ N others, the band boys, nn-
accotuc ~ caeneralship of Frankerino De
qer en1 the Ebum" drummer, organ
LeonsAs ..a3 Montgomery Guards. To pro-
lieu Sne ais cdrrectly you must call into
nounSo ~ Irish T Ibrogue. Every member
use .ne l.sa was as ( HGinerial" and the pri-
Dus on ss tLelnrofessor. 1t was supposed
Vats rr y, irish company, but all were
70 % or IIawiEh names. When it came
given oigahticians'' every member OF
cow 1sr5 " Mas perfect ''milimation-
the SST Tha lNontgomery Guards made q
ISL. lss,..;,,entaj reputation for themselves
aS pes thew will long be remembered oy
she sh Colonel and his staff. ,..,.ho
1nT T,he HI Generosity and hospitality oil tne
,.;anns lnS II Durant was all that could
~ 5ssirbd. The merchants cnargeu
DC De seThorbitant prices, and their &C &C
no no, ,vynodItting powers unequaled. in se.
CONN., COM more orderly body Of soldiers
eurn a,,ar bIld an encampment. The tlrsl
nesS nq.es,sin,1nt of the Mississippi Natlonal
61ssrd ~ Ind the good people OF Duran'
Ala themselves proud.