The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-29
Next Time They Expect tn BE
Marched to the Site of the New
Army Post.
HEAT FELT BY GUARDsMEN
PRIVATE KINNEY IN BAD CoNDI-
TION FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
The Daily Routine OF the Camp
Is Enjoyed by the Ofcers and
Men Alike.

For the first time in many years the men,
bers OF the Indiana National Guard were
yesterday given battle formation This
order caught many of the officers of watch
and as to the privates they were strewn
over the field.
At :5S O'Clock i'm the afternoon when
the clear notes of the bugle sounded
through the camp that there was to be a
battle formation great excitement followed.
The officers were i'm school and unprepared
for the summons. Leisurely did the pri-
Yates walk about the ground after mess
with nothing on their minds except the
thought of battalion drill that was to fol-
low The guard lay laziiy about the camp
until the notes Of the bugle began to sum
mon them to line. 1t was entirely unex-
pected by the officers and men.
The lowering clouds that made their ap-
pearance in the heavens about noon were
more inviting than the orders that came
after noon mess. With the prospects OF
showers the soldiers lay about the Geld
thinking that their days work would end
when the rain fell. While in this condition
orders were sent from headquarters for
battle formation. Instantly the whole field
was alive with running men and all seemed
chairs, ran hurriedly to their tents and
donned their marching uniforms. sPrivates
that but few moments before had lain
lazily before their tents smoking corncob
pipes ran like madmen to their respective
quarters. '~st
Out of the scene of apparent confusion
came the forming of men into lines and
lines into companies. Battalions were
/
marching off the field i'm manner that
struck terror to the rockies"
No one knew what was to take place. AS
fast as companies were formed officers rode
to headquarters and reported their COM
panies ready for marching.
GENERAL MKEE AND STAFF.
General Mckee and his staff were more
concerned by this time and rode TO the differ
ent regiments about the field to see that all
was in proper shape. Five minutes after the
call was sent out the companies had begun
shaping themselves into battalions. Lieu
tenant LeHew, of the signal corps. had his
men in readiness tn receive orders five min
utes after the notes of the bugle call had
sounded With his staff of men he set about
to place the several signal stations. Hardly
had he got through his task when it was
the far end Of the race track near the stable
was in readiness for marching orders. AS
/ soon the regiment was formed word was
given for il to proceed. The regiment
/ marched past headquarters through the
main street east TO the end OF the fair
| grounds and took up position that COM
manded the bridge over Fall creek near
College avenue. The Second Regiment under
hind. This regiment under hurried or
ders went south through the main street
from the main entrance. The regiment
marched west to the open ground about one
mile west of the fair grounds where halt
was called. The First Regiment. under the
same orders took up its position In the
open space north of the fair grounds. No
one knew what was 10 take place and a
feeling of nervousness prevailed
Battery A, of Indianapolis, followed she
| Third Regiment TO the east side did the
small battery from Lafayette under COM
| mand of Captain, Giasscock. Battery Il fol-
lowed the Second Regiment TO the west and
soon the entire camp was devoid OF its
/ soldiers that but a few minutes before had
! enlivened its confines.
All roads leading to the main entrance
| of the fair grounds were dotted with soldiers
| in full marching equipment. This gave the
| whole affair a most formidable aspect The
/ outlying territory owned by private citizens
| had been secured temporarily by Br1gedier
| General Mckee. This territory was filled
| with soldiers and the housewives who stood
| I'm the doorways were awestricken. Sentries
| lay in the grass waiting for the attacking
| party and the whole presented a spectacle
that struck terror TO the heart OF the civilian.
! For many miles around the fair grounds
soldiers could be seen The strictest disci-
| plne was observed and for time IL
thought that the property OF the Indiana
State Board OF Agriculture was in danger
from invasion by foreign army.
RECALL SOUNDED.
The troops had been placed successfully
and at the end of three hours. the bugle
sounding recall was heard. A light rain
was falling by this time and the soldiers
were anxious TO return to their camp.
Hardly had the militia entered the grounds
than Old Sol came out with smiling face
and seemd to Jolly those who had feared
| Jupiter Pluvius.
IL was the first time I'm several camps
that the soldiers were given such a drill in
outpost duty and IT came as a shock to
some Of the officers Several OF them were
| waiting for such an order. however. and
lost no time in assembling their men,.
After the recall had been sounded. the
new recruits gave sigh OF relief. IL WAS
their first experience In that kind OF work
and served as "A grea. lesson TO them. AS
| whole the first call OF battle forma ton did
not work successfully according 10 several
ing party, which was the Third Regiment,
| had been placed In such a position that IL
| was soon surrounded by the defensive or
| ganizations and there was no hope for its
| salvation. This was given as one OF the rea-
sons for the early recall order.
The lesson Is one that will not soon he
| forgotten by the officers and men and from
now on until the close of the camp men
and officers will be looking for such orders.
At the close OF the battle forma tion call,
IL was said about the headquarters OF the
Second Regiment that similar call would
be issued to-day for the members OF this
! regiment. The men will I'm all probability
be taken 10 point north OF the f.zis
grounds near Hammond's grove where
the maneuvers will be held. The men viii
be more prepared for this order. should
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