Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-08-19
The Camp at Sizerville.

L ne movement OElS ludttd III CluSsSOVy
Scotland, quarter Of a century ago
under the leadership of a gentleman
named Smith. The late Professor
Henry Drummond used his great in
huence TO strengthen and spead the or
ganization. To-day there is a member
ship throughout the world of more
than one hundred thousand. There
are $4,000 members in the United
States. A short time ago in Glasgow,
10000 Boy Brigaders passed on review
before General Smith, the founder of
the organization. In its form the or
ganization is strictly military, but mill
tary system, drill and discipline are
not used for the purpose of making
soldiers in the ordinary sense, but as
most effective instrument for the
development of moral character. and
Christian manhood. Every applicant
for membership must be a member of
some church or Sunday school, and
must sign pledge that he will be moral
and decent, attend the weekly drills,
and obey all rules and orders.
The Third Battalion which has been
in camp at Sizerville, is under the COM
mand of Major B. TIL. Bliss, of Ridg-
way, former officer of the Sixteenth
Regiment. The Major is a thorough
soldier and disciplinarian, and at the
same time most warm hearted friend
of boys and one who understands them
thoroughly. He enjoys the distinction
of having conducted the only Boys
Brigade encampments in America that
have been held entirely under canvas.
Each company maintains weekly
drill, which all members are expected
to attend, but it is safe to say that one
can learn more of military drill and
discipline from week in a well con-
Quoted camp than he can from three
months of ordinary drills. There are
many things which can be learned only
in camp. The encampment at Sizer-
vile is the second experience of its
kind for the Third Battalion of the
Fifth Penn. Reg't of the United Boys
Brigades of America. In almost every
particular it has realized the anticipa-
tions of those interested in it. The
location is much better than that of
last years camp on Bear Creek, the
weather has been fine, the attendance
OF Brigaders, though not so large as
was expected, is larger than that of last
year, and the arrangements for shelter
ing and feeding the boys have been
more satisfactory.
Since last year the Ridgway COM
panies have been reorganized, the
three companies having been merged
into two, one for boys of fifteen and
over and the other for boys under fif-
teen. The one company in Emporium
has been divided into two, a senior
and junior; while new company
has been organized in st. Marys
Forty boys from Ridgway and thirty
five from st. Marys arrived in Empori
UNI on the noon train last Wednesday
and after dinner marched with the EN-
porium boys-forty five in number-in
battalian formation to Camp w. II.
Howard at Sizerville. The march was
dusty one all the way and hot during
the first half Cooks Trainor and
Housler had a good supper awaiting
the battalion, to which the boys, after
washing their dusty faces and.hands,
did ample justice. By Thursday the
remaining tents were in place, so that
after the first night there has been no
crowding in the quarters.
A regular routine has been followed
every day. At $50 the first bugle call
sounds, followed by reveille and the
raising of the flag. After roll call,
calesthenic drill and cleaning up the
camp, mess is served at 1880. At 800
comes company drill. During the fore
noon there is abundant time for ball
playing and other amusements. At II
mess call sounds again. At 1:30 comes
Guard Mount, one of the interesting
spectacles of the camp, when the new
officer for the day is installed, and the
guard detail is changed. AT 3 O'Clock
comes battalion drill and at 6 dress
parade, at which time the evening gun
is fred and the flag lowered; mess call
sounds Immediately. At tattoo sounds
for evening rol, call, and at $50
taps is the signal for all privates and
non-commissioned officers to retire.
It is not always an easy matter,
however, to get the boys quiet
ed down at the proper time. On sew
eral occasions the officer for the day
has had to patrol the company streets
at unreasonable hours to see that lights
were put ont and talking stilled in the
tents.
The following is a complete roster of
a.. % ..i..nln 70 L-n1, E.ara. LLn ,nu.-...l-.