Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-30
THE LIGHT INFANTRY AT OCEAN
VIEW

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.I
Ocean View, Va, July 2S'-Ioday
we break camp and leave for our homes
after as pleasant week as we have ever
spent, and not one Of us WI go with
out feeling of regret.
Perhaps a few Of us when told we
were to come to Ocean View put IN
slight protest-there were attractions
elsewhere that claimed us, but not since
the dav of our arrival has single word
other than enthusiasm over our sur
roundings been heard.
Our tents are pitched back Of the
hotel in the pretty park and we have
proven most popular with the guests
here.
Capt. James f. King, IS in COM
mand, and few men are so courteous
and kind and thoughtful OF their
men7 as lie has proven himself.
II has been unnecessary to maintain
strict discipline. The camp was ar
ranged for pleasant outing and the
men have shown their gratitude and APP
probation of this by not abusing their
privileges.
Company G. and Company G of our
10Th Virginia Regiment have a lot oi
fine fellows who know how to enjoy
themselves, it is true, but who never for
get that they are gentlemen.
Capt. & gorge p. Shackelford, of Rich
mond. is in command of Company c.
The other officers are Capt. King, Lieut..
Thomas b. Cochran, Lieut.. Geo. n. Skip
with, Capt. w. L. Thompson, DIR. W.
Armstead Gull, and Lieut.. Ernest NJ.
Hardy.
Ocean View is one of the most beauti-
ful places naturally it has ever been our
pleasure to see. The hotel is built after
the old colonial idea with great broad
piazzas surrounding its three stories. In
front stretches the beautiful Chesapeake
Bay. while back of it rises wooded
territory from which the odor of the
pines comes to us. The grounds are
attractively laid off in bright flower beds.
There is a beautiful little Casino where
nightly good vaudeville attractions are
given; there are bowling alleys, the
scenic railway, the pleasure pier where
the ever faithful merry-go-round keeps
things lively and here may be found
dozen or more amusements. For Il
penny you may test your strength, reg
ister your grip, "plunk" at Carrie
Nation and incidentally get your mns-
cles in trim for pitching a game OF ball,
have your palm read, &c, and some OF
our officers have found the long pier
where the rows Of benches are arranged
for tete-a-tetes rather fascinating place
from which to which the moon rise.
The hotel is under the management
of Mr. j. Hull Davidson, Kentuckian,
and he is certainly thoroughbred
from every standpoint He has been
kindness its self toall of our boys
and we have shown our apprecia-
ton in the toasts we have drunk
to him at his pretty bar Mr.. Z. G.
Halfway and Mr. Brooks Johnston, OF
the Norfolk Railroad and Light Com
panv. have shown us every courtesy, eX-
tending to us the privileges OF the elec-
trio cars. Not minute Of the time has
dragged. We have fished for the trout
and spots and croakers which simply
abound here have swum, taken the ex-
cursions to Norfolk, Portsmouth, Old
Point Comfort, Virginia Beach, New
port News, ETC., that are so delighttlly
accessible to one here, fastening back
for the good dinners at the camp where
we eat off of china, can swear, anC
have the best the market affords. A
six O'Clock we have guard mount wher
the list Virginia Regimental Band EN-
ployed this season by the Management
of the hotel plays for us.
Whether any body admires us or not, we at
tract large crowd and if we haven't msae
conquests most Of Us have fallen in love-witl
the place, you understand-and were pretty
sorry 10 90. OF course you can read be
tween lines and know that while the LITTLE
church was in the midst of the camp, some
times words like "high ball, f." gin yichy,
or II didn't call you, full house" etc, etc
might have been heard if one had listen
ed. but with the Chesapeake Bay to bathe j
we had no need Of whisky and none
us have suffered with colds or rheumatism.