The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-23
The Tented Field and Surrounding
Hills Make Beautiful Picture.
Maneuvres Witnessed by Thousands of Residents
and Visitors
Entire Brigade Will Parade Through Westminster
Tomorrow, Saturday. a Noon.

fhis has been the maddest. merriest
week ever experienced by residents Of
Westminster and Carroll county
Since the first of the troops arrived
at noon Saturday. there has been
something doing all the time. Most
of the soldiers came by train, and the
arrival Of these and their march up
Main street to the camp grounds kept
eur people on the alert Saturday af-
ternoon and a greater part of Sunday
The sidewalks were lined with in
terested spectators. and the fronts OF
all the houses on the line of march
we're filed with persons anxious to
see the soldier boys. Many OF the
business places and residences were
decorated with flags and bunting
After the soldiers came dozens OF
wagons loaded with military trap
pings and provender for men and
horses. When these had all passed
there was rush for the camp grounds
10 see the soldiers erect their tents
and make other preparations for
their weeks stay.
Arrival Of Troops.
The first arrival at Camp Crothers
AhOOH ~ IlAAENHAn " - AnNAifI y
20 men, under command OF Lieutenant
Broadhurst The cavalry left Fort
Nyer Thursday and reached here
about . o'clock Saturday morning.
At Ills Brigade Commander Law
rason A. Riggs came up on the
Western Maryland, accompanied
by members Of his staff The same
train also brought the First Sepa-
rate Company, under command OF
Captain Vim. Spence.
The Fifth Regiment, commanded by
Colonel G.. Baker Clotworthy. arriV-
ed in Westminster al $50 Saturday
afternoon. They were literally cheer
ed as they marched up Main street,
preceded by their field band. which
played most OF the way. to the graft
scation OF all within hearing.
The First Regiment. under com
mand Of Colonel Charles T. Little,
came up on the Western Maryland
Sunday morning, reaching here at 10
o'clock. and the Fourth Regiment.
command by Colonel Charles f. Meek
lin, arrived shortly after noon. The
First Regiment Band played a num-
Der OF pieces OF sacred music on the
march to camp. which we're much ap-
preciated.
Troop A did not reach here until
Sunday afternoon. having marched
from the armory at Pikesyille
The Camp Site.
Camp Crothers is ON the almshouse
farm, about one mile from town, and
is the best equipped in the history OF
the state guard. IL Is perfectly laid
cut and embraces n complete tele-
phone system and an abundant supply
of good water, with a hydrant at the
end of each row OF tents, In front OF
each cook tent, In the bath houses,
and at the watering trough for the
horses. All the stan officers are of
the opinion that IL Is the best camp
site the local guardsmen have ever
had. Beginning at an orchard under
the shade OF which the hospital corps
and the quartermasters department
have pitched their tents, the camp
grounds slope gently upward TO a
knoll upon which is General Lawra-
son Riggs headquarters.
Back of headquarters is the signal
corps, and beyond little gully In a
small wood is Troop A of the regi-
ment cavalry. A quarter OF a mile
away and on a small plateau rests the
First Regiment camp. Directly in
front Of general headquarters and half
a mile away is the Fourth Regiment
Still topping them, overlooking the
entire camp, is Governors Hill, where
the Governor and his staff we're To-
Gated Immediately back of them is
the Fifth Regiment. In addition to
these there are three parade grounds,
one of which Is large enough for a
brigade drill.
Tents an6 Contents.
At previous state encampments q
number OF men we're sent up in ad-
vance to erect the tents, but this time
the boys had to put them up them
selves. The ground had already been
laid OF, and the commanding officer
of each regiment had a plot OF the
ground where his troops were to be
located, showing where the tents were
to be pitched, the number in row and
the number of rows. One of the min
or officers looked after their erection,
to see that the tents were kept in a
straight line The tents are about
Sx8, with a four-foot wall at each side,
the roof sloping from the wall to the
ridge-poIe. which is ABOUT feet from
the ground The modern tent fs
much better equipped for comfort
than those of former years. The tent
OF today has a double roof or flap OF
canvas, extending from the ridge-pole
to the top of the tent-wall, at the lat
ter point being inches above the tent
proper In the event of rain, the up-
per roof catches the water, and the
under canvas is thereby kept dry and
free OF dampness, much to the benefit
and enjoyment of the sleeper inside.
This upper roof also makes the tents
cooler In hot weather, as 1t not only
catches the suns rays, but furnishes
an air chamber, through which the
breexes may play at will. TO put