The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-01-02

Some time during the recent Span
ish-American war the United States
Government sent to this section a
number of army officers TO look up a
site for a camp for volunteer soldiers.
After viewing a number of sites that
could be obtained and were superior
in every respect to the location after
ward selected at Chicamauga and
Camp Alger, the officers returned
to Washington and after making
their report nothing further was
heard of the matter until the last
session of Congress when bill was
passed providing for the establish
ment of four permanent camps in
different sections of the country. AS
soon as the matter had been settled
by Congress several business men of
Oakland interested themselves in an
endeavor to have one of the camps
located near Oakland. They at once
communicated with Congressman
Pearre and the commission having
the selection of sites for the four
camps in hand with the result that
one or two members of the COM
mission were here during the past
summer and were shown over the
ground by Major Burns. A number
of eligible sites can be secured EN-
bracing several thousand acres.
In a recent issue of the Morgan
town Daily Dominion well written
article treating upon the subject APP
peared, which we print below;
Congress at it's last session provi-
ded for the selection of four sites for
the purpose of establishing camps of
instruction for the Regular Army and
the National Guard of different
states. 1t is presumed that one of
these encampments would be located
in the central eastern states, one in
the middle western states, one on the
Pacific coast and one in the southern
states.
with view of selecting the best
sites for these encampments a Board
of Army Officers consisting of all the
Department Commanders, with Gen
eral Miles as president was convened
in Washington last month. The
Board took recess until the 9Th of
January next when a report will be
made and sites selected
with view of having one of these
camps located in this section of the
country a few gentlemen will recon-
mend to the Board several tracts of
land near Oakland, Maryland, which
they believe would suit very we'll for
such purpose.
lone of these tracts lies between
Deer Park and Mountain Lake Park.
one south of the latter named place,
and the other west of Oakland on the
Youghiogheny river. No finer loca-
ton can be found anywhere. The
climate is good, the water pure and
wholesome, and the country free from
malaria, any amount of land from one
to ten thousand acres can be secured
Artillery ranges of from thirty-fiv
hundred yards to several miles can
be had with innumerable shorter
ranges for small arms practice all of
which would be absolutely safe as the
back stop or bullet stop would be the
side of mountain which rises alb
ruptly about four hundred feet above
the surrounding country. The ranges
are absolutely free from all obstruc-
tions or obstacles such as villages,
roads or farm houses. The country
is undulating, but sufficiently level
for maneuvering troops, and suffi-
GENTLY rolling for good drainage
Two mountain streams flow through
this land which will afford sufficient
water for all purposes, besides there
are innumerable springs scattered in
all directions, and should this not be
considered sufficient, water can be
piped from the mountains to the diff
ferent camp sites.
There is plenty of timber which
would afford shade for the men, and
fuel for many years to come.
1.-The distance from Washington by
rail is 206 miles and by wagon road
about 154 miles, which would be an
excellent route for practice marches.
One of these tracts borders on the
main line of the b. & o. r. r. from
which spur could be built and sup
plies be delivered on the camp
grounds.
This locality has been a favorable
resort for army officers for many
years past, and all have recognized
its suitableness for a military post.