The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-25
TEACHING WAR
To REGULARS
AND MILITIA

Camp Roosevelt. Mt. Garcia, Pa, Aug.
25.-Uncle Sam is making here his first
experiment in teaching the arts OF war
to regulars and state militia together on
the vast plane of actual Campaigning.
Camp Roosevelt is more than a men
ouevre camp. IL is a camp OF instruction
as well. II is a gathering OF federal
troops and national guardsmen from va
rlous states on an equal footing 10 be
taught problems OF war, not merely 10
participate in spectacular battles with
blank cartridges.
In this respect IL is a departure from
the methods hitherto undertaken at mill
tary encampments in the United states
and in foreign countries as wen II Is "a
step far in advance OF any that has ever
been taken heretofore by the armies Of
the world
The selection OF camp site for the de-
partment OF the east was hte all import
ant question that confronted the war de-
partment when congress authorized this
instruction camp. Without much hesita-
ton IL was decided 10 try Mt. Gretna Al
an experiment, with view 10 selecting
a permanent camp.
Mt. Gretna Is half nights ride from
New York city. headquarters of the de-
partment OF the east. on the Cornwall
and Lebanon railroad, which travels
through the beautiful Lebanon valley OF
Pennsylvania.
AS far as the eye can see the beautiful
green hills. one rising above the other
like great terraces. are dotted with tents
OF khaki brown. or canvas white. Regi-
mental flags here and there mark the
headquarters OF regulars and national
guards alike. Far over these camp
grounds OF the infantrp. are the long
lines OF horses on a slope below the cav
airy and artillery quarters.
Just above these on the summit OF an
other great terrace-like hill the signal
corps and engineers are encamped. and
from the top of a giant oak tree comes
the chatter of the wireless telegraph, used
here for the first time in the signal SER
vice.
Away above all Is the highest point Of
the camp where Gen. Frederick Dent
Grant and his staff are quartered. From
his threshold. he can sweep the entire
camp with field glasses.
Gen. Grant at camp headquarters gave
this comprehensive statement as TO the
plans, scope and purposes of the camp:
1--WE take UP the advanced drills here,
going lust beyond what troops In garrison
are supposed TO learn. and then we make
a progressive drill lasting one week each
phasel eading TO another phase, forming
what may be termed campaign, ana
ending on Friday in a problem. which
must be met and fought out by the OPP
posing forces which we call the blues
and the browns
When Gen. Grant was directed 10 bring
-ettttroeps from tire various rerrtsorrs and
forts in his department, and gather them
at Mt Gretna, he marched the infantry
the frst 200 miles OF its journel and then
the rest OF the way by train. The cavalry
and artillery marched 300 miles OF the
journey before boarding trains for the
Pennsylvania camp
II served to revealt the fact that some
United States soldiers are soft" many
of them falling out OF line on the long
marches. Many horses also gave out.
Hereafter there will be many such tramps
for the regulars.
The department Of the east embraces
Maine on the north, and Porto Rico on
the south. II includes all the New Eng
land states. New York. New Jersey, Penn
sylvania Delaware. Maryland. District OF
Columbia, West Virginia. Porto Rico and
its adjacent Islands.
Never has there been n fever scourge
at Mt Gretna In all it's history as mil
itary camp. Camp Roosevelt has been in
operation about month, and has been
attended bp from 5000 To 1000 regulars per-
manetly and by from 5000 10 5000 state
troops who make weekly stays; and there
has been not one case OF serious illness
in the hospital.