Milford chronicle., 1910-06-10
MILITARY OFFICERS in
CAMP OF INSTRUCTION

Under disagreeable weather condi'
tions the officers Of the Organized Militia
OF Delaware established their first camp
OF instruction on the State rifle range
below New Castle at o clock Sunday
evening, to continue until Thursday.
The several officers Of the regular
army who had been detailed as instruc-
tors at this camp were on the scene
early. The officers, Immediately upon
their arrival in camp, reported to the
commanding officer, whereupon each
was assigned to his quarters
The tents for the officers had been
erected on Saturday and everything
was ready for their occupancy.
Captains and lieutenants carried rifles
and canteens the same as do the enlisted
privates while in camp. Rank was lai0
aside and for the time being the officers,
who dominate the men Of the ranks at
other times were nothing more than
privates themselves. The inspection
was gone through with considerable de-
tail, but all the men were found TO be In
first class condition in respect to equip
ment, uniform and every other detail.
Early Monday afternoon under the
instructions Of regular army officers
they were taken out for tactical walk
During this walk they were instructed
in outposts, patrolling, orders, messages
aud sketches.
At5o'clock there was another inspec-
tion under arms followed by short
talk on the rifie-its sensational parts,
care, cleaning and inspection.
Al S O'Clock in the evening the work
of the day was concluded. There was
conference on the days work and
practical talk on infantry in attack and
defenee-the company, battalion and
regiment formation and movements.
The officers were suddenly aroused
from sleep about midnight by the severe
wind, rain and electrical storm that
swept over the camp. The men resem-
bled anything but officers Of lighting
force. as they scrambled from their cots
-
and hurried out into the night to save
their canvas homes from being blown
away.
Tuesday's work started al Z so o'clock
with another tactical walk and it was
more lengthy than were Mondays. The
day was taken up with instructions IN
various matters, but every minute was
occup pied and the officer privates" did
not have much time TO themselves.
At meeting Of the militia officers
at the camp. DR.. Meredith ! Samuels
of Wilmington was elected surgeon OF
the regiment He viii rank as major.
He fills the vacancy caused 10y the re-
tirement Of DR.. James l.. France.
Wednesday was mostly given over 10
tactical walks These are in reality
"hikes" on which the instructors teach
the officers everything they should
know about Infantry in defense, attack
ali sorts Of movements and IN fact
everything pertaining to the handling
of troops in the field in actual warfare.
In the evening there was another in-
spectioD under arms and later confer
ence at which time the days work was
reviewed.
Thursday morning the officers awoke
to their last day in what has been the
most unique camp ever held in this
State. When the entire regiment goes
into camp next month the officers will
be better qualified to instruct the men
of their commands than they were be-
fore this camp, for they have learned
much of value to them during this week
under canvas, ana while in the hands
Of the regular army officers.