New-York tribune., 1902-06-08
TROOPS AT PLAY AND WORK
HOW THE BOYS OF THE NATIONAL
GUARD ENJOY LIFE AT PEEkS-
KILL CAMP.

Life at the State Camp in Peekskll is greatly
enjoyed in many ways by the men Of the regi-
ments who in turn have the opportunity Of go
ing there. Last week the members of the 9Th
and 18th regiments. y. G. n. Y, were at the
camp and the usual round Of fun before and
after the days work in drill and the routine of
camp life was indulged in the fullest extent
And good times the boys bad-not dull mo-
nent from reyeile TO taps
1t is with the new recruit, who has not seen
the state Camp before that his comrades have
the most fun. for he must be initiated in several
degrees before ne can rank as experienced
soldier Of the National Guard.
The first night IL camp is usually lively and
interesting one 10 all present. Such tricks as
dumping the sleeping recruit from his bed and
stealing his blankets are common, and one poor
fellow last week. who had a tent all TO him
self after everything had been taken from him,
on returning TO the tent from q vain search for
his bedding discovered that every peg had
been lolseued and the tent lay fiat the
ground OF course, there was a loud laugh, in
which he Joined. Whereupon all lent a hand, and
soon he was comfortable again
A favorite Trick with a new man is to send
him % fools errands. He is first sent, for
instance for something TO the quartermaster
sergeant who directs him to some one else, and
be in h,s lurn sends him further on, until the
poer fellow finally begins to tumble that he
is being hoaxed and gives Up the vain quest
Then the recruit has to be barbered. ThlS Is
done with much gusto. He is wheeled through
the company street in Wheelbarrow, and then
lathered with cheap soap and grease tcare be
ing taken to get some in his mouth and shaved
or scrared. with an axe. He usually holds still
during the latter operation. for he realizes that
il is a real axe and it might be dangerous 10
struggle.
Another degree consists Of dUckins the new
miIrianaD in the tub Of water which is stand
ing al The end Of every street, clothes and AL
# ne won't take them or. All the pals in the
street are pressed into service for this occasion,
having been flied with water beforehand, and
The contents are poured over him as ne is held
in The tub
There is blanket tossing also, and a host OF
other tricks that some one Of the company IS
sure 10 think Of, to which the raw man Is
treated and il all depends On how he takes ms
medicine as to how much he has to take
But there is work as We'll as play in camp ana
il starts when most people are Ia ped at nan
Iast five in the morning
The drum corps marches around playing
lively tune. and very soon all is activity ana
hustle Cots are hauled out, and the ooaro
floors in The tents are washed and scrubbed
and lex the time this is done and the men nave
washed themselves it is time to turn out TO
5r5rl for an hour before breakfast. After break
fast two hours more are devoted to drill ana
then the boys are at liberty TO do as they please
When evening comes and retreat has oeeh
rlaved and "Old Glory taken down, the boys
.-niov themselves in various ways until Ia''o"-
some MAY cards and others hold musicals 10
which all within hearing come, and jolly good
time IS enjoyed Proud and happy the men feel
when their women friends visit the camp
Izzervthing of interest is shown to then' aho
lots cf fun is made for their especial beneht-
The visitors are usually dressed up Win the
uniform coats, hats and accoutremenIs oI '"e
soldiers. and photographs are taken by those
who have q camera
While there may be few men in the Na'iolAi
Guard who are glad when the week AT camp Is
over the great majority are sorry Wheh 'he
time. comes TO doff their uniforms and TO return
- heir everyday duties and the dull routine OF
city life.