Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-07-20
SOLDIER BOYS
HOME FROM CAMP

Company f, Twelfth Regiment, N
q. F., soiled and begrimed from hik
ing and participating in mimic battle
Saturday evening arrived home from
encampment on the 80 Pennsylvania
train, which was over half an houI
late. The boys were bronzed, a trifle
weary probably, bat in the very hest
of spirits Whatever the effect may
have been on some of the other com
panies hiking and playing war through
out with all the strenuousness of aC-
ton implied was exactly TO the liking
OF the hardy boys of Company f and
there was probably not one, but would
have been glad to have turned around
and repeated the company participa-
tion In the game of war
Captain Gearhart Saturday night
spoke of his men in terms of highest
praise. 1t is the best company. he
said, that he ever took to enoamp.
ment. Aside from their powers of en-
DURANGO and familiarity with their
duties their conduct was most ex-
emplary and during the entire week
not one had done anything to cause
the least annoyance or embarrassment.
Speaking of endurance it is great
deal to say for the BOYS of Company +
during the woarisome march to
Benaire aud back as we'll as in the
battle on the third day not one was
affected by the fatigue or the intense
heat. The march in all was one of
some thirty miles and soldiers of the
other companies fell by the wayside
like flies.
To make the contrast all the more
remarkable Company + was on provost
guard all Sunday night. 1t was taken
out at 4 80 O'Clock Sunday afternoon
at $3.50 O'Clock Monday morning it was
taken off provost duty aud thrown
right into the march. Under the cir.
cumstances upon arriving at ReIlaire
the company was naturally a little
fatigued, but it showed no signs Of
whiting and when the troops entered
the village there wore none in higher
spirits or sang more Justify than Com
pany f.
The march was tough experience
for probably the majority of the bri-
gade, but it was a good object lesson
to show the stuff that the BOYS are
made of and what they could be call
ed upon to endure in case of neces-
sity. Speaking for our company it was
one of the most enjoyable features of
camp.
One of the most interesting features
OF the war game was the mimic battle
on Wednesday. Company + captured
a squad and full company belonging
to the Thirteenth Regiment and had
plenty OF exciting experiences The
putting up and taking down of the dog
tents was also an experience new to
the Guard
The inspection Friday did not prove
as trying an ordeal rs was expected
1t was found impracticable TO fully
inspect the Guard at encampment, as
the time consumed would not have
been less than two days. 1t was decid-
ed, therefore, merely to look over the
Guard, only inspecting the pieces
and the mems appearance. The in
spection was conducted by Colonel
Sweeny. Inspector General. Cover
nor PeDnypacker and others were with
him.
Although by no means rs close as
the boys expected. yet the inspection
proved pretty trying experience to
the guardsmen, who were over.awed
by the presence of the Governor and
the other high officials. Nevertheless
there is not one of the boys but who
has brought home with him the kind
liest recollections of the Chief Execu
tive. As the Governor moved along he
spoke very encOuragingly to the boys
and did everything to make them feel
at ease. He seemed to pay particular
attention to the bayOnet, seeing that
it was placed in the scabbard rightly.
On several occasions he took the bay
onet out himself, replacing it as il
ought TO have been.