The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-06-20
BROKE R j e. all / !. RECORDS
The Third Regiment Proved to be
Better on the March Than
Picked Regulars. L
Our Boys Returned Friday Evening
in the Best Of Spirits After
Their Long Walk. :. -. 7 - =. &.

! Company G arrived in Princeton
Friday evening, tired and dusty, but
otherwise little the worse for wear.
The boys had put in ten days on the
"hike" through the Mile Laos lake
country and in Brainerd, and although
the weather was not always what they
would have ordered, they put in their
time acceptably and we're. able to say
to their friends that they had had an
enjoya bic trip. =
Saturday morning they left Onamia
and plodded along over sixteen miles
of road to Vineland Part of this was
made over soft lake sand and there
were lot of tired boys when camp was
made. An hours rest, however, put
them in good spirits again and shortly
after dinner was devoured there was
all kinds of sport in sight. Sergt.
Boyn got his feet into Orderly ,Pratt's
box.cars and gave the boys a jig to the
tune=of mouth organs and hand pats
and when the order came to fall in for
battalion drill every man was himself
again. A strong wind blew from the
lake and the air was decidedly chilly,
but that did not eter some of the more
daring from taking swim.
Sunday morning the regiment
marched about mile to the residence
of D. II. Robbins, where the first dress
parade of the trip was given, the other
parades being simply in the company
streets. The ground was too small for
the maneuver, but it gave the ''rook-
les" an idea of what was expected Of
them and bore good fruit when Brain
erd was reached. Fifteen ''injun
miles, were made that day and the
regiment vent into camp
tance. beyond the store at uu. ..
The blind pig got in its work that day
with some of the tough companies and
at mi ht trouble was threatened be-
tWeslthe guardsand crowd OF, drunks.
The Auoka company was on guard and
the sympathy of the Princeton boys
was with them and had the toughs not
subsidized they would probably have
had taste of what the Rum river
companies could do in pinch.
Monday morning the march was re-
sumed and Noka Seibe reached. This
was the hardest days march of the
trip, for the roads were dusty and the
boys found it almost impossible to Sc
cure breath of fresh air. Here the
company was reinforced by the arrival
of Sergt. Williams, Corporals Kelly
and Sellhorn, and Privates Grow and
Palmer. Here the camp was located
in new clearing and at night the
brush heaps furnished fuel for cheerful
campfres.. Perhaps dozen mosquitoes
crossed the guard lines here and the
country boys were amused to hear the
complaints of their city cousins. Dur
ing the night there was slight shower
and the next days march was splen-
did one, the sand absorbing the water
and the water countering on the dust.
Brainerd had been informed that we
would not reach there until P. M,
but at 1890 we were within half a
mile of our destination, and a halt was
called while runner could be sent to
the city to notify the Grand: Army and
committee of our approach. The boys
of 81 had planned to-. escort us to camp
and we did not wish to disappoint
them. After an hours wait the escort
appeared and the 'hikers'' were led
to their final camp Within an hour
the tents were up, the cooks were at
work and the whole camp was in apple
pie order. ...
Wednesday our boys were taken to
the range and considering the rifles
used some excellent scores were made.
Sergt. Howard, Corp. Kelly and Pri-
Yates Freer, sMarshallEand Stark quail
fed as marksmen4 scoring more than
100 out of possible $50 on the 200,
800, and 500-yard ranges. Company G.
walked off with the. honors in volley
firing, scoring IS hits, and the six vol
legs were nearly perfect too-none
with a ripping, ragged sound. OF
course later reports may wrest this
honor from the boys, fot the Brainerd
had not shot when we left,
but at that time Company G. had twenty
hits more than it's nearest competitor
4 Thursday-was ''Governor IRIS Day" and
our boys were on guard. Almost be-
fore the old guard had retired the gov
ernor appeared and the way our boys
did the honors surprised She veteran
officers who accompanied him. They
were in line at the drop of the hat
perfectly dressed and the salute was
promptly and perfectly given
Throug the day the guard was