The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-01
FEARED KANSAS GUMB0
SOLDIERS AT CAMP ROOT REMAINED
In QUARTERS ALL DAY.
Maneuvers Postponed on Account of
Rain, slippery Ground and sticky
Mud, Scheduled for To-Day.

FORT RILEY, Kan, Sept 30-Deeper
quiet even than prevails upon a Sunday
existed throughout the day at Camp Root.
The only events were the arrival at the
camp of Governor Stanley, of Kansas, and
late in the afternoon Assistant Secretary
of War Sanger Brigadier General Carter,
the acting adjutant general of the army,
arrived and inspected the camp. At day.
break this morning the ground was in
such a condition after the storm of last
night that 1t would have been impossible
to carry out the days programme with
much probability of success. The earth
around Fort Riley is of the character that
becomes exceedingly difficult to maneuver
upon unless dry. A little rain causes it
to become so slippery that it is difficult
for men and horses to keep their feet on
sloping ground unless moving with eau
tion and rain converts 1T into sticky gum
that makes marching to be thing utterly
without redeeming features.
General Bates determined last night to
call off the programme for to-day, and
conditions this morning proved the wisdom
of his course. Overhead 1t was day diff
ficult to surpass; under foot was a condi
ton that could not be made worse. The
roads have dried nicely, however, and
everything points to favorable conditions
for to-morrows work.
General Bates issued orders in the morn
ing for all commands to hold themselves
in readiness for a review by the assistant
secretary of war if he should accept it.
Consequently there was much rubbing of
metal and cleaning of clothing and leather
trappings throughout the day. In the mid
die of the afternoon General Bates, accom-
panied by his aids, Captains Reeve and
Wright, rode out to select ground for the
holding of the review. General Sanger,
however, decided that the troops would
have sufficient work without marching out
on review and declined the honor offered
him.
General Sanger and General Carter were
met at the train on their arrival by an es-
cort of cavalry, and after being received by
tary post of Fort Riley, rode out to Camp
Root, where General Bates received them
with the customary honors. short recep-
ton was held, all the leading officers at the
eral Sanger and General Carter. The Off
GERS of the national guard were also pre-
sented. The invitation OF General Bates
to inspect the camp was then accepted, and
after listening to a short concert by the
band of the Eighteenth Infantry General
Bates and the assistant secretary of war
ride through the camp. They rode over the
entire ground, and both General Sanger
and General Carter expressed themselves
as pleased with what they saw. They will
be. the guests of General Bates at the
maneuvers tomorrow.
An hour previous to the arrival of the dis
tinguished army officers, Governor Stan
ley of Kansas, and party, among whom
were a number of ladies, called at Gen.
eral Batess headquarters The Governor
was escorted to the camp by a squadron of
cavalry and after a short stay at the head
quarters of General Bates, left to visit the
CAMP of the men of the Kansas National
Guard. Here he was received with all the
honors of commander-in-chief and spent
several hours in looking around
Tomorrow morning the war problem
originally scheduled for to-day will be car
ried out. 1t will be the defense and attack
of a convoy The latter will be quite large
and is expected to number fully 100 wag-
ons. 1t is expected it will furnish one of
the most interesting maneuvers Of the
series.
The State Medical Society of Kansas is
now in session at Junction City, and to-
morrow it's members in "a body will visit
the camp, where the workings of the army
medical system will be fully explained.
Object lessons will be given of the treat
ment of wounded soldiers from the time of
| their removal from the field until after
| their first treatment in the field hospital.