The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-06-26

COMPANY Il AZ. WATERFOWL
Interesting Description Of the Trip and
Life IN Camp
It was in.high hopes OF having a most delight
full time that We. members of Company HI
gathered at the station on! the morning of June
IL to take our departure for Watertown. The
fine turn out OF citizens to see us off was in-
spiriug, and We all pledged ourselves that our
record at WATERFOWL would be such that kim
ball would be proud of us. The fact Of our hav-
ing Col. J. N. Greene with us was . passport for
all tbs good hings. At Mitchell, BY the way
OF wire. he secured . special train TO take us !
from Red6eld, otherwise We would have had to
remain there over night.
The Third regiment band Joined US at Woon.
socket. They are . royal lot OF fellows and i'm.
mediately Company II boys became their favor
ties. This fne band, under the leadership OF
Prof. Ireland, discoursed music Wild and thrill I
ing all the way to Wate,town.
At Red6eld, as mentioned, the Northwestern
had a train backed down to the Milwaukee
station in readiness for US ind we were away
in ten minutes. The Northwestern certainly
does things right. It was q beautiful evening
and the run 10 Watertown was thoroughly en-
joyed. The band played, the boys Hlled the car
with laughter and song and We were all glad to
be there. Stations flew by us at an amazing
speed and before we hardly realized it it was Has
and We we're at Waterfowl.
August Marty and Charley Novotny had rigs
waiting for US and we were soon on our way to
Camp Roosevelt, four miles from Watertown,
- -f.- U-----l.-AI =
longer than all the rect OF the trip. Upon ar
irving at the camp at about Ia. N. We were di-
rected to the q~uartermaster's pavilion, where
each man drew an army blanket. q tick to be
filed with hay, and a candle. Our cook. Marty,
with his able assistant, Novotny. Ind a good hot
cup Of coffee for each OF the boys, which was
relished. It was fully 8 a. m (. before Company
II retired for slumber.
At 5 o'clock a blast from a bugle rent the
early morning air, and with tired bodies and
sleepy heads we dragged ourselves out to roll
call. This business of getting up at five wasn't
very popular with most Of the boys. After roll
call came the ~asetting up exercise-a fine
thing, by the way, for putting the body in good
trim for the day.
About 6 o'clock mess was called, the officers
to their special tent. the band to another and
the priyates to the tables at the rear of each
companies row of tents. August Marty, with
his talented assistants, won great praise for his
ability in the culinary line-but August wouldn't
eat his own cooking. That's been bothering US
ever since-we can't Just figure it out.
After breakfast came guard mount, when
guards for the day were chosen. This was
followed by company drill until about IL. After
that officers school for half an hour-then,
actually, a half hours rest until dinner at 12.
At 2 p. m. came battalion and regiment drill.
The eight companies of militia would line up
first, then two companies of cadets from Brook
inge, then the cavalry and artillery. It was a
new thing for many of US to drill in battalion
and regiment, yetthe same orders used in Kimball
got us into shape ali right. Guard mount came
at 500, when guards for the night were placed
Everyone was anxious for guard duty at night
of onrse-aspecially Foote and Novotny. The
boys, however, grumbled but little about being
onduty, whether at night or in the rain.
The last and most beautiful drill of the day
is dress parade. The entire regiment is drawn
up as in r~egimental drill and left at parade
rest The band. Woonsocket and Brookings
combined, marches down in front ofthe review.
ing stand, where Governor Herreid and his
staff and all the commanding officers stood,
THE band marches back, takes its post, the
bugler sounds off /" a cannon ID fred just az
the sun sinks below the horizon, the flag ie
lowered, and the band strikes up America
This scene alone puts enough pstriotism into
one to last him all his days. Then, headed By
the band, the whole parade passes in front Of
the reviewing stand. As each company get.
opposite the governor the men are put q,
''port srms'' and the officers salute and pass on.
At night the boys who have passes get on
dray and 60 to Watertown. Very few of our
boys did this, for it always kept them out lat,
and untitled them for duty next day. One Of
our boys was heard coming III late at nigh,
} giving the order:
Cavalry, fire two volumes.''
at $50 all lights of ~privates must be out
Officers were permitted to keep lights burning
until II. This rule was not rigidly enforced
Coz. Englesby told us that the Third needed q,
! close and rigid enforcement of rules; that the!
were all gentlemen. 1t is a fact that during tn
! whole encampment the Third regiment had no
+ q man in the gu ard house. The Second had on,
8 whole company in for being drunk the night be
. fore.
The program for each day was about the same.
Shan battles were fought on Thursday, Frida.
, and Saturday. The people OF Watertown turn
E ed out in masse on these days.
The officers bail Friday night was q swell
affair, The Woonsocket band furnished tn
2 music. On Saturday night occurred the privates
ball, with music by the Brookings band.
While Lake Kampeska was very beautiful an,
q fine spot for bathing the boys had no time Il
pa,take of it's pleasures.
= Sunday the boys We're all marched in clos,
]. together and we're allowed to sit down Will
e they listened to a beautiful service. led by TIL
+ chaplain of the regiment.
Company 81 enjoyed the distinction of havin
2 their quarters in the neatest shape when il
spacted.
Camp coke up at 4 o'clock Monday morr
j ing when again, through the efforts of Col
!. Greene, the Northwestern held q train tw
. miles south Of camp for the boys. The specia
took us to Redfeld, then to yilas, where nue.
D to our regret we parted with the .Woonsocke
e band, after their giving Company H a fin
!, concert on the train. At Salem, the writer re
. 1nctantly psrted with the boys, and at Parke
Company II caught the Milwaukee for home
arriving on the regular train, tired and glad t