The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1904-09-01
The Soldiers Home.

day, Aug. p, were the soldier
boys after a profitable ten days
of instruction in the art military.
To the casual observer a soldier
means brass buttons and gay
music, and in these piping times
of peace more attention is paid
to the 'Iascivious pleasing of the
lutte" than the sterner lessons
of war. The encampment just
passed was marked by the
soldierIy bearing of the men, the
earnest efforts of all officers TO
gain a thorough insight into their
duties and they were manifold.
1t is surprising how pregnant
with meaning is every sentence
contained in the drill regulations.
and the slightest neglect of its
most trivial line means confusion
dire to the unfortunate tyrO in
command. It is only by prac
tice in the field that men and Off
GERS can learn a routine of
their duties, and the longer an
efficient officer can be retained
over experienced men the better
results will taxpayers get for
money expended. Under the
present militia law, known as the
Dick bill, the men receive the
same pay from the United States
Government that U. S. soldiers
do and an annual encampment
is required, either a camp
ground or at an army post. Our
boys obtain a small amount from
the State also, which with the
money from Washington makes
it possible to hold a satisfactory
tour of service yearly.
On Monday. August Is. the
trains begun to move men and
munitions Of war towards Camp
Vardaman at Biloxi. Spinning
along at forty. FIVE miles an hour
the military specials had right Of
way over all except mail trains
and rushed by stations filled with
gaping crowds till a pause for
fresh engine at Mobile gave our
boys a glance at the deep har-
Dor with its forests of masts and
the low-lying salt marshes be
yond. Up and away we sped far
out on the sound and slender
piles, covered with oysters and
baruacles, splashed by white
caps, then through pretty towns,
red roofs and white fences, green
lawns and many babies, all
breathing peace and happiness.
With d rush and roar thus we
flew until at 6.45 the seven com
panies were unlOaded at the
camp ground. No tents, no
| lights, hungry and tired they
came, but so cheerfully they
went to work, men and officers
each doing his duty, until at
10 pm. all lights were out and
quiet reigned At 5:15 pealed
the revielle and the work of the
day continued to 1920 that night.
Drills, reviews and ceremonies
followed in such succession it kept
all busy thinking what their du-
ties were and studying upon
them. We were commanded by
a most excellent officer, Gen. S.
r. Keesler, from Greenwood,
who was aided by Lieut.. Pettus,
of engineer corps, u. S. A, and
Maj. Dowdie, IN instructing all
Work was varied by social
courtesies extended to all pri-
Yates and officers, many Of whom
did double duty attending the
balls and receptions at night and
the drills in the day ytime.
Gov. Vardaman and his gilt
tering staff were in the field at
general headquarters and de
lighted the eye feminine thereby.
The Governor charmed his old
and gained new friends by his
graceful oratory and pleasing
manners. He spoke of the peo-
pie of Lowndes with affection,
of Columbus with enthusiasm
and said it was the best place in
the State for the next encamp-
ment.
HeFbine.