The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1908-08-13

Early tomorrow morning the
Regulars and the members of the
Mississippi National Guard will
begin To break camp and by noon
the majority will be speeding
toward their respective homes
after having spent ten days in
the city participating in what IS
pronounced the most pleasant
and profitable encampment ever
held during the history Of the or
yanization. While the occasion
has been q purely business one
there has been enough time be
tween meals" and at night for
every body TO have a gOood time.
The people Of Columbus al
ways hospitable, seem to have
madea special effort on this Oc-
casI0n To- make the soldiers en-
joy themselves and they in turn
have left nothing undone or un-
said which would add to the hap
piness Of their hosts. 1t has
been truly "a case of mutual
love Oh both sides" and will al
ways be bright spot in the
minds and hearts Of the partici-
pants
To mention each officer and
each prit.t separately-as they
deserve 10 be mentioned-would
be- am impossible task and The
Commercial will not undertake
IL, believing that it will suffice
to- say that we are so we'll pleas
ed with them all that we want
them to- come again next year.
Yesterday morning several
hundred spectators witnessed
the Military Problem, or sham
battle which was fought a short
distance west of the camp. The
shooting began at nine O'Clock
and lasted for nearly two hours,
Two sides had been chosen, one
off which was to represent the
Browns the other the Blues.
The problem was one for the
former. who were stationed at
Lake Park to destroy the sup
plies of the latter, who were
hidden between the Southern
h. R. depot and the Gaiety Rolla-
way rink. The Browns consist
ed of one regiment, two extra
battalions of infantry, one troop
of cavalry and one section Of
artillery. The forces of the
Blues were composed of one
battalion of infantry, one COM
pany of Regulars and one section
of artillery.
The distinguishing features
were that the members of the
Browns wore creased hats and
those of the Blues We're peaked.
AlIof the companies were search
ed before going into war" to
see that no one carried loaded
cartridges.
Those who witnessed the bat
tie enjoyed it very much.
No decision was rendered at a
late hour yesterday afternoon as
to which side had won, and it
will possibly be several days be-
fore it is made known.
Contrary to the general opin-
ion Of the people Of this state.
the National Guard Encamp-
ments are not picnic frolics, the
the reverse is true and the work
in camp is instructive ideas and
exacting. They are good schools
for the physical development,
for the use Of the state and the
National Guard has reached that
stage Of proficiency where the
state can rely upon it as It's
strongest arm for the preserva-
ton of peace and for the sup
preston of insurrection and riots.
This is an important branch OF
the State Government and should
receive the hearty and cordial
support of the citizens of the
state, and proper consideration
at the hands of the legislature,
rejecting the interest of the cit
izens of the state in the proper
maintenance of the military es,
tablishment.
Col. X. M. Levy, of West
Point, who was a member of the
Mississippi National Guard for {
Iov4c- ftyaa hfc Lost rOcifior