The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26

Toward the close OF to-day the Indiana
state fair grounds will be alive with the
States soIdiery. This is in anticipation of
the annual camp OF instruction to be held
by the State for its militia this week. For
many weeks Governor Durbin and Adju-
tant General Ward and other members of
the brigade have been at work perfecting
arrangements for the camp. These ar
engagements took form last Thursday when
white tents began to dot the open spaces
in the big exhibition grounds. When the
sun begins to cast its rays over the field
to-day all the tents will have been pitched
ready for the reception of the soldiers.
The big frame building used by the Off
GERS of the fair association will be used as
quarters for the brigade officers. This
building will assume great Importance when
the uniformed officers take up their abode
within its confines.
One of the chief places of interest will be
the Governors tent This large tent, with
the several used for the personal guard of
the executive, has been pitched on a small
plateau near the entrance of the woman's
building at the end of the main drive. 1t
is in close proximity to brigade headquar-
tiers.
Although the big field has been resound-
Ing with the strokes of hammers on the
tent pegs for several days the greater COM
motion VIII occur to-day when the soldiers
march into the grounds There will be
the heavy. regular stride of infantry and
the rumbling of the artillery.
Added to the equipment of tents each
company has its yawning caldrons hanging
from forks of iron. These improvised kitch-
ems are often of much interest to the
civilian who loves to wander through the
streets of tents and view the States
guard.
WILDE OPENED TOMORROW.
Tomorrow morning at reveille, when
Brigadier General Mckee calls the soldiers
together, the camp will be formally opened
No special proclamation from Governor
Durbin will be read The executive will
be among the late arrivals at the camp
He will not take up his abode until to-
morrow night after he leaves the State
house. On account of the tax board being
In session Governor Durbin will not spend
all his time at the camp. Each day he will
be present at the Statehouse at the ses-
sions Of the board. At night he will go to
the camp and remain until early next
morning.
The eneampment to be held this year will
be among the most notable ever held by
the Indiana National Guard Adjutant
General Ward yesterday said that numer-
ically the guard would be the strongest
ever held
Aside from this feature the work of
schooling the officers will be one of great
interest to that branch of the service
Already a number of officers from the
United States army have volunteered their
services for the school of instruction. Chief
among these will be Col. Arthur L. Wag-
ner. assistant adjutant general of the De-
partment of the Lakes. Colonel Wagner
bears the distinction of being one of the
most enlightened men in the department
on military works. He will be here both as
an instructor and lecturer
Another army officer of fame who will
be present will be Capt Blanton winship.
of the Sixteenth Infantry. He will come
ut the request of Governor Durbin. who
praises Captain winship's ability as an in
structor.
Capt Benjamin Alvord will in all prob
ability be one of the instructors of the
school He has already signihed his fnten-
tion of visiting the camp this week. Should
III olANt VIII Talk 10 the menu
bers of the officers on the new federal mill
tia law.
Lieut. George f. Comfy, of the First
United States Cavalry. will also be in the
city. Lieut. Comfy is a brother of Capt.
w. G. Comfy. of the Second Regiment In
diana National Guard. He has recently re-
turned from the Philippines where he
served in fourteen different posts His
visit TO this city at this time is To his sis
ter. Mrs. Marvin Rice. Maxwell. He has
volunteered his services for this week as
instructor in drawing to the officers Lieu
tenant Comfy. after leaving this city, will
return to West Point, where he has been
appointed instructor in drawing.
WORD FROM LIEUT.. RIDENOUR.
Governor Durbin Friday received word
from Edgar L. Ridenour. of the Sixteenth
Infantry. who is now enjoying his vaca-
ton with his parents in Peru, Ind. Lieu
tenant Ridenour is of the youngest
OF mis- rank now serving in the army He
graduated from West Point in 1898 and
went at once to the front in the Spanish