The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-08-13

Although rain to some extent IN
terferes with outdoor life Of every
character, the unpropitious weather
that has prevailed during the past
week has not marred the success Of
the encampment of the Mississippi
National Guard which IS now in pro-
/ gress here. While Jupiter Pluvius
has seemingly never been in sympa-
/ thy with the encampment, he was
gracious enough 10 withhold his fury
on Friday, and the great parade that
was scheduled for that day was given
under clear skies. On yesterday,
however, the capricious weather god
was in petulant mood, and turned
loose in all his fury, a heavy down
pour having come to food the
company streets at Camp Noel and
bring temporary discomfort TO the
officers and men. Happily. however,
the camp is located on sandy plat
eau, and the water runs off, leaving
the camp in comparatively good con
dition within half an hour after the
rain has ceased.
The encampment was ordered for
a period of ten days, and it was an
nounced in the official program that
the soldiers would break camp Thurs
day, Aug. Is, but the time has been
extended, and the military men will
not leave until August 18th On the
morning of the thirteenth the mem
bers of the Third regiment will be
paid off, and in the afternoon there
viii be a brigade review, which VIII
be participated in by the Second and
Third regiments, Mississippi National
Guard, the battalion OF regulars froa
the Seventeenth infantry, the Twentn
cavalry band, and the Second infan-
try band.
Gov. Noel reached the city last
Wednesday night TO attend the en-
campment of the Mississippi National
Guard, and on Thursday was the
guest OF honor at the camp which
bears his name. Gov. Noel, accom-
panied by his wife and two step sons,
Masters HaIbert and Wilson Nelson,
arrived over the Southern Railway
from Jackson at 1880 O'Clock We'd
nesday night, and were driven imme-
diately to the Stone Hotel. where
apartments had been reserved for
them.
Gov. Noel was thoroughly eM aust
ed by his railway journey. and re-
mained quietly at the hotel through
out the evening, having chat1ed
with a number of citizens
and military men who called 10 pay
their respects. He paid his first visit
to the camp Thursday morning, hav-
ing been accompanied by a military
escort. This escort, which consisted |
Of Gen. Keesler and staff and cav /
airy troop "A" under command Of /
Capt. Cavett, rode to the Stone Ho- /
tel about ten o'clock Thursday morn |
ing, and mounted on jet black steed |
and surrounded by his escort, the
governor proceeded TO the bivouac
Of the soldiers. AS the party neared I
he camp the governors salute was
fred, and the boom of cannon an
bounced not only TO the soldiers, but
20 citizens living in the vicinity Of
he camp that Mississippi's chief ex-
scutive had arrived.
AS the governor and his party
passed through the camp en- route
o headquarters, the different COM
,anies engaged In drills and field
nanoeuvres stopped long enough to
rive the military salute, and the
second regiment band, which was
tationed in the Y. VI. c. A. tent, dis
CURSED stirring music, the repertoire
Dixie" and George Coh- !
ms famous patriotic composition, (
The Good Old U. S. A When the
arty reached division headquarters
he officers lined up in front Of Cen
1eesler's tent and the group was
photographed. The governor spent
be day in camp, he and Mrs. Noel |
aying dined with Gen. KeesIer AZ
iyision headquarters. The large pa
ilion at Camp Noel is near division {
eadQuarters, and is used as a mess
all by Gen. Keesler and his stan. {
he Twtlfth cavalry band played at
he mess hall while dinner was in
rogress, the music having been a
pecial feature in honor Of the gov /
rnor and his wife. 6
There was the usual dress parade
thursday evening. At six O'Clock I