Milford chronicle., 1909-07-30

Since last Saturday, July oath, the
Delaware Militiamen, after the genera
p preliminaries incident to camp life are
I thoroughly established at Camp Wat
son, on the Rife Range, near New
Castle, aud it is considered one Of the
very finest sites ever selected for such
purpose.
Situated on knoll ofground, stretch
ing away from which is q panorama
: which for beauty can hardly be surpass
ed, is Camp Watson, where the citizen
seldiery OF Delaware are gathered for
their annual summer tour OF duty.
The site OF this tented city Of our sold
iers is ideal in location. Near the foot
Of the little hill, the crown Of which is
surmouuted by the camp, begins the
historic Delaware River, the blue
waters Of which spread toward the
east where the shores Of new Jersey
can be distinctly observed. To the
south and within full view are the
powerful forts that make the defensive
artillery district Of the Delaware. To
the north is the beautiful and mRgnifi
cent vista OF DelawaIe's shores, with
its ocean going liners, excursion boats,
small yachts and launches, all Of
| y ;hich combine to make up q scenery
suburb beauty almost beyond de-
L fiptiOn, upon which the soldiers may
gaze during their week Of duty and
which Y atone very greatly for any
displeag re or discomfort which they
may ht We to endure.
But looking at the beauty Of the
scenery around them is but q very
email part OF the camp life, when the
rigid routine OF duty is considered, and |
the orders which are being carried out
daily, give evidence that these days Of
eneampment are days Of work and in.
structiOn.
Drilling early in the morning, a short
rest, then more drilling, and again
some more drilling before noon, while
the afternoons are taken up with more
drilling, and the general guard duty
and WORK about camp is the daily
routine through which our State Mil
itiamen are now passing.
On Sunday there were many visitors
and the weather being exceedingly au-
spiciOus, greatly increased the usual
Sunday gathering. One of the para
mount things Of the day was the strong
and able sermon which was preached
by Chaplain Stephenson, he taking for
his subject, Citizenship" The Chap
lain's text was: "I am a man and a
citizen Of no mean city, I Ibeseech thee,
suffer me to speak unto the people,"
Captain Stephenson had had print
ed neat folders on which was the pro.
gram OF the services, the prayers and {
the hymns to 0e sung during the SER I
vices. These were distributed to the ]
soldiers and all others present, and the 6
singing Of the assem- bled throng was a {
big feature 1
The First Infantry Band Of twenty I
eight pieces furnished the music, and 8
the rendition Of the hymns aid their I
singing by the soldiers as they stood L
with heads uncovered made a sight 0
that was not only inspiring but not "
soon to be forgotten by those who wit t
messed it. t
Not the least inconspicuOus among b
hose gathered about the white haired p
was Governor Pennewill with d
he members of his staff in camp and p
Adjutant General l. P. Wickers ham 81
With the members Of his staff. Gov. 81
,rnOr Pennewill stood with hat off dur IL
ng the entire services and appeared to
,e a close observer and an interested b
istener to all that was going on. b
General Wickersham and all the Off d.
ers were among the most devout Of b
he worshippers. to
Following the exhilaration Of Sun al
ay, with it's perfect weather, relaxed H
outline and thousands of visitors, the liz
'irst Delaware Infantry Monday morn. ia
lg settled down to the hardest and W
lost exacting week the citizen soldiers IS
I the State have ever had before them
] field encam pment From 15 so
clock Monday morning until after siI
vening parade at night it was one in
ard grind for the militismeR, drilling do
ad maneuveriDg about under the hot
In, and moreover, the foot-tiring and uu
1dy fatiguing ordeal will be gone OF
rough dsdy until Camp Watson ne
leaks on Saturday Certain it is from
Ie orders promulgated at parade Sun Ca
" evening that this is to be strenu- wa
ls week for the Organized Militia, pc
ID Monday mornings exercises left be,
doubf@of that. II any fingered. !