The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-05
CAMP TCOLUMBUS NOW IN FULL BLAST State and Federal Troops Are
 on the Grounds HARD RAINS MAR PLEASURE Rain Has Fallen for More Than a Week, But Will Not Interfere
 With Routine-cavaIry Band
 Arrives on Time.

Columbus, Miss, August 4-(special)- Twenty-two hundred soldiers now are quartered at Camp Noel, and the biggest encampment Mississippi has ever held is in full blast. This morning at O clock the first special train arrived It came over the Mobile and Ohio and was from the south. The companies in the southern part of the state, and all those on the Mobile and Ohio between this city and Meridian were on board.
 The next special to arrive came in over the Southern this afternoon at 1 o'clock. It was given to the Southern at Eliza beth by the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley and brought all the soldiers from points on that line south of Greenville, and all the troops from Greenville to Columbus The next troops to arrive were those which were aboard cars attached to the Mobile and Ohio regular passenger from the north They arrived at 2 o'clock this afternoon and were the companies from Corinth, Aberdeen, Okolona and West Point. The fourth special of Mssssip plans came in on another special at O clock over the Southern The Illinois Central gave them this train at Winona with all troops on that line south of Winona. All the troops on the Southern line between Winona and Columbus joined the train en route.
 The most interesting event of the day was the arrival of the regulars and the Twelfth Cavalry band of 35 pieces They came in this morning over the Southern Their special consisted of four tourist seepers, one palace car, two cars for stock, two baggage cars and two fiat cars. The Southern railway got this special last night at Bremen, Ga, they having left Chickamauga park yesterday afternoon late the run from Bremen to this city being finished at Il o'clock this morn ing.
 When the regulars arrived they were given quite a reception Many members from General Koesler's staff were at the depot to welcome them, and over 200 citi- zens were there to see what a real sol dier looks like when fixed for real duty. Many ladies were in the party to meet the soldiers from the regular army.
 Coincidental with the arrival of the regulars one of these quick August rains made its appearance. i As soon as the troops landed one of the tired thirsty looking privates stuck his head out of the window and asked in general way, "ls this a dry town?" Those who think Co., lumbus is dry as the expression goes, are certainly badly mistaken. Columbus is wet-as wet as any town you ever saw in your life-but the trouble is that the wetness is caused from rain and not from the other reasons. As far as wet ness from any other source is concerned there is absolutely nothing doing in that line. The soldier looked disappointed and said, Take me back to Chattanooga
 Every day since July "A 1t has rained. Sunday the rain lasted over six hours and was one of the steady downpours. Yesterday it came again on several oc- casions, and this morning it was also an unwelcomed visitor Camp Noel is in wet enough condition as it is, and were it not for the sand which very fortunately happens to be over the whole camp and drill grounds by this time the camp would be a river. It is drying off fast, however, and better results are looked for within the next day or two.
 All decorative work in the citys streets has been stopped by rain. People have realized the uselessness of hanging drap-
 
 minutes afterward. Some of the most patriotic, however, decorated twice, and their labors were lost for second time. The general impression now seems for all decorations to be stopped until next Fri day, governors day. A handsome prize has been offered for the best decorated carriage on the streets that day. and the prize will be awarded for the best deco rated store front and most lavishly deco rated residence that day.
 Camp Noel today was the scene of work on all sides. The regulars went at pitch ing their tents with a vim and showed their expertness in this line. The Mis- sissippians were more fortunate and had their tents all ready for them to walk into It required only about four hours for the regulars to pitch their tents and be completely installed into comfortable quarters
 This afternoon at o'clock the different sub-officers of the regiments called on their colonels, and tonight at o'clock General Keesler was visited by all the colonels and their staff and officers.
 Tomorrow morning the first day of camp life will be started. The third reg iment will have dress parade in the aft ernoon and guard mount will be held in