The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-07-06
REGULAR ARMY IS
CHEERED BY CROWD
Vast Throng Enthusiastically
Watches the Soldiers
On Parade.
WAS A GREAT SPECTACLE
TROOPS MARK THE OPENING OF
CAMP TAFT WITH EXHIBITION
DRILLS BEFORE THOUSANDS
OF SPECTATORS.

Toledo, o.. July Camp William
H. Taft, located at Bayview Park and
occupied by $500 of the best trained
and most expert troops OF the United
States army, was officially opened
with much pomp and ceremony yester-
day afternoon, at which time the larg-
est military tournament ever given by
the army was attempted.
Every branch OF the service with
the exception OF the coast artillery is
participating in the show, which will
last until Saturday.
The ceremonies were ushered in at
noon when Battery F. Fifth Field Ar
tillery, under command Of Capt
Wright Smith. doomed forth the ma
tional salute. This was followed by
another salute from the old iron-clad
battle ship, the Wolverine, whose six
inch guns thundered over the waters
Of Maumee Bay.
Soldiers in camp were fully impress
ed with the national holiday and were
in readiness when called out into the
arena before large crowd to perform
in the first program of the big tourna.
ment
City officials, business men. officers
of the Chamber of Commerce and
thousands of curious bent on enjoying
national holiday thronged the camp
and occupied grand stands when the
sound of the bugle called the troops
on the arena.
Society Witnesses Spectacle.
Society was especially conspicuous.
Gen. Frederick Dent Grant and wife
entertained Mayor and Mrs. Whitlock
as the special guests. The Enclosure
contained many automobiles and
smart trapping. while the summer at
tire of the women formed a striking
contrast to the khaki and blue of the
REGULARS.
The citizens of Toledo and the WISH
tors probably never witnessed more
inspiring sight than the immense
crowd of soldiers that swarmed the
field. 1t being the anniversary of the
national independence gave the whole
program a more important tinge.
officers clad in their gold braided
uniforms. and the soldiers in full dress
as htey marched across the field in the
final parade made most inspiring
sight and the 1000 spectators, who
had gathered to witness the opening,
gave the boys in blue rousing ova-
ton.
Every Branch There.
Five branches of the army 'partici-
mated in the afternoon and evening
programs. These were the cavalry, in
fantry, hospital corps. machine gun
platoon and field artillery.
Yesterdays programs not only in
cluded the regular routine of army
maneuvers. but many amazing arrays
of thrilling army stunts. The most
thrilling and spectacular feature of the
program was the infantry drill in ex-
tended order by the Third battalion
Twenty seventh infantry. This drill
included the preparation for attack,
preliminary attack and final attack
and held the spectators spellbound
throughout the entire exercises.
Another feature which electrified
the audience was the thrilling feats OF
the bareback squadron, Fifteenth cav
airy. All drills were given with a
view of exemplifying the working OF
the army with an eye single to the pic
turesque and the pleasing. varied
program of two performances each
day will be given showing the work
ings of each branch of the army rep
resented at Camp Taft.