New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-30
THE STATE CAMP CLOSED.
TWENTIETH SEASON A MARKED Sue
CESS-IMPROVEMENT IN THE Ma
TIoNAL GUARD.

the closing of the camps twentieth wear But the
excellent condition Of the squadron of cavalry. the
three batteries OF artillery and three infantry
regiments that occupied camp during the brief
season evidence evolution in the National Guard
during that period which is quite remarkable
Prior 20 1872 the regiments the States military
establishment seldom. il ever. drilled outside OF
their arnories. There were occasional marches
with the pitching Of a camp somewhere but the
outings were more or less picnics where no sys-
teulatc instruction given. The need for II was
felt, however. and finally through the efforts of
Acknowledgement Townsend, who was most enthu-
siastic and energetic in his endeavors TO build I'D
the guard aided by Governor Cornell a portion of
the present camp site was leased and in the sum-
mer o. 1852 the sd Regiment OF Brooklyn was or
oered into camp The season then, as II has been
for the last three years was only four weeks long
and many Inconvenience had 10 be endured which
have since been unknown. In the annals of the
regiment among other things there is said to be
recorded the fact that # rained every day Of that
first week. and that there was no reprimand for
the sentry who. - the custom was then called out
the hour OF the 14isht but in this couplet:
Twelve o'clock. and all is well:
Inc WIND is east, and il rains like hell,
But the rain was one of their least discomforts,
for the camp was not as thoroughly established as
now.
There was some system that first year and the
orders prescribed that the annual should be
held II camp. But thorough system in the methods
Of instruction developed only gradually ana the
tendency among the men at first was TO get all the
fun possible OF the tour OF duty The means
employed were varied, but depended largely upon
the intellectual calibre OF the men constituting
command, Mostly they took the form Of goats
6ogs, cats and ducks, which. brought into camp as
mascots, received as much. If not more, attention
than the study OF tactics or they degenerated into
mild forms OF hazing and horseplay. Perhaps the
greatest exponent Of the fun In camp was the
ludicrous and expensive mock parade OF the It'll
one OF the funniest and spectacular af-
fairs ever seen in camp while the social side is
doubtless best exempihed in a hall the 22d Regi-
ment gave one year in the mess hall. Fireworks
also had their place every Friday night Of the sea-
and the immense throngs Of visitors attested
the popularity OF the camp.
SYSTEMATIC INSTRUCTION DEVELOPED
But meanwhile, among the higher officials the
purposes OF the camp were lost sight Of and
systematic instruction was slowly being forced TO
the front and fun and frivolty 10 the rear The
instructions the regiments were receiving in the
mounting Of guards. the patrol and protection OF
camp and property the daily routine and the dis
cipline maintained were showing beneficial results
even under an imperfect system. and staff officers
particularly were learning their duties The line
Of instruction all this time was left principally
10 regimental commanders, and the good accom-
plished in the weeks tour depended largely upon
their efficiency.
But under the regime of Adjutant-General Porter
this was changed. a military man OF long expert
ence, he brought the camp and the work done in IL
under his personal supervision. The novelty OF
camp life was beginning 10 wear on, and by
restrictions and limitations were placed on the
men. The Friday night fireworks show was dis
continued, the exploding OF giant crackers under
sleeping soldiers cot summary punished, ~
the responsible person could be found, and so on.
until nearly all the oldtime fun and methods Of
hazing were eliminated On the other hand guard
duty placed under the supervision Of a special
officer, and brought a high standard. rigid in
spection OF camp and quarters was made every
morning, and things unniHtary were ordered
moved and finally drills reduced 10 such q
systematic schedule that cards were issued in
prescribing the kind of drills that should be
undertaken each day OF the week. These cards
were printed before the mp season opened, and
every incoming regiment received a set so that
what regiment did Monday Of this week
other regiment would do Monday Of next week.
II Il happened, as il did occasionally, that one reg-
nent was more proficient than another. the drills
prescribed the cards possibly finished by
the middle OF the week. Then the colonel al
liberty 10 drill his regiment along lines OF his
own choosing: otherwise he had discretion in
the matter Nor he ever recognized as post
commander except in the absence Of General Porter
from camp.
While every initiative on the part Of reginental
officers was taken away by this system, IL had its
proper place in the guards evolution 1t pointed
OFT the value OF regularity in work, created
q higher standard in drills made officers more
careful in study OF the drill regulations and
accomplished results in other directions that make
the work easier now. But II id4Ieo III SlF'-4S
regiments practical work, although thar might
have come had General Porter lived. for the Ma
tional Guard was his constant thought and STUDY
WHAT CENTRAL ROE HAS DONE.
After his death there a series OF reviews and
military pageants until the reorganization Of the
guard and the appointment OF General Roe as
Maior-General commanding. Since then the ten
dency has been TO combine the practical and
theoretical TO the great advantage OF botn 4
general pan OF the summers work is laid out in the
first general order OF the year. and regmental com
manders put in command OF camp with the
Ightest kind Of supervision. careful inspection
Is made Of every detail by competent staff officers
and reports are submitted and sent with comment
and criticism TO the commanding officer for his
information purely. in spirit OF faultnnding
or adverse criticism In this way the largest kind
OF responsibility rests upon the colonel OF resl-
ment and he necessarily develops when under the
old system development was Impossible The re-
suit has been in last three years. distinct gains
IN sodierly qualities among officers and men, while
both instead OF being glad the camp tour is ended
go home wishing they might stay another week or
least could come TO camp every year instead OF
every other year.
The men OF the TIN Regiment, which occupied the
camp the third week OF the month. said. in going
home. that their OF duty this year had been
the most successful ever spent at Peekskil. and
that they had learned more Of what the require
ncnts OF the soldier were than at any other time
n their history. Squadron said The same thing.
and the 9Th Regiment not only said II but most
thoroughly looked in the last drills and parades
they took part in here before going home The
which dispersed to-day, also was anxious Tor an
ita letters marks the close OF the present season,
while the results show that the sEstet9 hO~ ~
guard.
DETAILS OF CAMP LIFE.