New-York tribune., 1901-07-14
DEVELOPHENT OF STATE CAMP
SHOWN BY SET OF MAPS JUST MADE FOR
THE ADJUTANT- GENERALS
DEPARTMENT

Peekskill. n. y. June l3 (SpectaD-Tbere has
just been finished for the Adjutant-C;eneral.s De
partment of the National Guard a set of mans
OF the State camp property which are most com
plete In their details. Everything about the nrern
ises is shown, the courses and distances of the
boundary lines. the situation of the regimental
camp and the groups of tents outside of It, the
various buildings. the sewerage water and lighting
systems, and the contour lines of elevation from
tide level in Annsve Greek to the highest point
on the parade ground. Even the formidable steps
which every coming by the rowboat ferries
must climb to reach camp. are plotted and the
contour lines show that they lead I'D to an eIeva
ton of 10 feet.
The State has not been without a map all these
years put the one in its possession was out OF
date When compared with the earlier map the
later ones tell interesting story and show that
the development and improvement in the camp site
have been as marked during its ownership by the
State as has that Of the National Guard organiza-
lion during the same period. When the original
tract Ito distinguish the first purchase from the
later acquisition, the rife range property
into the possession OF the State there were great
indenting gues along the bluffs, formed by the
wash of many rains point of rocks at the north
of the parade ground jutted far ont into the field,
approprfatng too much territory needed for
drill purposes: the remains of an apple orchard
on the eastern portion OF the parade ground
equally in the way; the grounds themselves though
comparatively level, were less irregular.
while north of me roadway which leads past the
hall and out Of camp the ground. full OF
irregula rites, fell away into the north valley,
was only an Indifferent piece OF property for the
drills then In vogue. The gullies gradually
filed portions of the rocky point blasted
away from time to time. until there is little
croachment of II the parade ground at the
present day: the last vestge of the apple orchard
was removed; the road leading up along the
western bluff into camp wdened and drained,
with a railing constructed the outer edge, and
retaining walls OF stone on the inner, and the
northern parade ground filled In and turned
into use proving a broader field for military
lutions than that of the regimental camp,
where evening parades and ceremonies still
held Further improvements OF this character also
embraced a grading of the parade grounds, which
the new map shows have been well done that
variations in the level differ by not much
than foot depressions being occasioned for the
most part by the collection of surface water
the grounds during heavy rainfall
Other improvements of a more substantial and
sanitary nature were not overlooked The water,
sewerage and lighting systems also received atten-
ton New wells sunk in the valley the
brook-as close as might be to the centre of the
watershed-and one of the most interesting of the
series of maps is that OF this location Alto
gether fifteen shown, extending over about
though the first and last I'm the line known
dead wells" no water being pumped from them.
From the wells the water is pumped into the old
tank the hillside and into of about
twenty-eght thousand gallons capacity erected
alongside of II by General Flagler several years
ago. Thence II is distributed the entire
grounds. With abundance OF water there
baths in camp. Before the erection OF bathhouse
the soldiers had gone the creek and river, but
with its establishment creek and river bathing