Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-07-09
SOLDIERS AT WORK
Camp Cole At Mantle Is Now a Busy Place and Will Be For a Few
 Days Local Boys Go
PRACTICE MARCH SUCCESSFUL

Mantle, July Scamp Cole with its armed forces of the National Guard went into commission this noon upon the arrival here of the battalions of the Third Infantry. Col onel Fitch commanding, the cavalry, the hospital corps and the force of camp followers which is always in evidence at the muster grounds. The camp was busy place all the fore noon as the baggage vans of the companies moved back and forth from the railroad, bringing in sup plies and equipment for the men. Ten miles across country the Second regiment, Colonel Geddes in com mand, was on practice march, head ed for Paine's farm in South Lyme, where it will go into camp tonight only to be ordered out before day break to make an advance against Camp Cole.
 Camp week opened with gray skies and promise of rain, which seems to be the lot of the Connecticut Nation al Guardsmen when they get out into the open. The southwest breeze brought much dampness in from the Sound and the boys of the Second regiment will be likely to get a thor ough soaking tonight when they scout across country, through the woods and meadows of South Lyme to reach positions within striking dis tance of Camp Cole.
 For the first time since 1903 Camp Cole will serve as brigade camp, but 1t will not be such until after Wednesday, as on the first three days all military duty will be performed as individual commands by reason of the detailing of certain of these as opposing forces for the mimic war fare which will be the weeks fea- ture. AS brigade camp the First regiment will be absent. as 1t will go later to Mt Gretna. Pa. to participate in the grand maneuvers with the regular army and National Guard of other states, similarly as that tour of duty performed at Manassas two years ago.
 Upon the arrival of the Third regi- ment Colonel Geddes and his staff paid their respects to Brigadier Gen eral Russell Frost. The regiment then began its regular camp routine with guard mount and the placing of pickets. With the regiment came the brigade staff, the regimental band, the hospital corps and the machine gun battery, from Bridgeport and beyond. Some of the companies were entrained at their home stations soon after daybreak. Two trains pulled into Mantle station and the commands were detrained and the companies assembled. The regiment then marched in with colors flying.
 Company and regimental drills in the field were held in the afternoon. Tonight the picket line will be ex- tended and supports will bivouac some distance from camp to be pre- pared for the expected attack about Tonight operations will of necessity be a frontal attack, as the impossible ground laid down on the maps which define the territory over which the troops will be de- ployed is outside of the Boston road on the south, the Flanders road on the north. Col onel Fitch will be reinforced by the First Separate company and Battery A. but he will lose the machine gun battery, which will detach itself ip the late afternoon and go over to the Second regiment.
 The nights work will be hard on the men on both sides and there will be little sleep in camp. The men and officers are looking for ward to an instructive tour of duty.