The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-17
IDEAL LOCATION
FOR BLUES CAMP
Richmond Soldiers Reach Basic
City Early in After
noon.
COMPANY WITHOUT CHAPLAIN
Days Rations Run a Triile Short,
but More Promised To
Day.
BY A. II. w. MAcKRErH.


Basic City, Va, July 16.-Leavlng
Richmond at 1903 o'clock this morn
ing the Richmond Light Infantry
Blues Battalion. numbering $50 en-
GERS and men, arrived here shortly
after o'clock this afternoon and i'm
mediately prepared to go into camp.
Though the hour of departure was
carry, there was large crowd at
the Main Street Station in Richmond
Ia bid the soldier boys godspred.
and all Basic was out to welcome them
as they detrained
Majo: K. " Bowles. comma ading,
wore smile OF perfect satisfaction as
he watched the four companies board
the special train. for he had excused
only few. and those for the pest
reasons.
The run TO Basic was made in good
tine and without incident The engine
took on water and was refreshed 1T
beaver Dam. and the soldiers took
on milk. pie and the far-famed chicken
sandwiches at Gordonsville. and were
also refreshed. The only other stops
were at Charlottesville. there to change
engine and train crew. and at. Mea
ohum's River. where the special was
sioetracked TO lie; two east bound
trains pass.
March Into Camp.
'eechihS basic, the battalion 1e-
trained without a hitch and. followed
oy a large company of Basic citizens,
marched to its camp, about three
quarters OF a mile from the town.
Headquarters and officers and cooks
tents had already been pitcher so
there was no delay in settling into
camp.
Situated on a high. almost level
plateau. with blue rim of Mills
stretching TO the east. Basic at its
loot TO the south. and an open vista
on me north and west. the camp is
most ideally located.
Basic City nestles a. the foot ~ he
Blue Ridge Mounta rs. and no spot
could be more ideal for home or tent ID
NE So the soldier boys look for
ward with pleasure 20 their weeks
stay among the Basic people
But the encampment is not TO be
ore OF idle pleasure. All the military
regulations are being observed, and
even now the little tented city co1ld
De changed into a real armed camp
Without a moments delay after ar
'iVing at the camp. guns were stacked
and the hard work of pitching tents
was begun. Every tent is in perfect
order with the regulation COMPANY
streets. and other dividing lines. The
Tour companies raced to be frat in
"hishlng putting up their brief homes.
and Company C got first place
Dinner was not had until 4 O'Clock.
and many a man pulled in his belt
while he worked and wondered IL Gin
ner would ever come. The rations.
which were scrambled eggs. bacon End
hlack coffee. ran a trine short. ana
every mans appetite was not appcssni.
but more is promised for Tomorrow.
when conditions will have settled into
the humdrum Of a military camp.
Nothing has been forgotten in max
ing the grounds clean and sanitary.
Every convenience has been provided.
Water is piped through the cutters
from the city's source of supply, and
shower baths have been installed No
modern essential is lacking, but the
battalion is lacking in one respeet.
IT has no chaplain. so no services we're
held to-day. but everybody had forgot
ten II was Sunday until some one
called for the chaplain. Everybody is
In good spirits. and the stern dis
cipline of camp life is being cheer.
fully adhered to-
Battalion parade was held at :
o'clock. and Basic came out TO see
and admire
Taps sound tonight at 1890 o'clock.
and reveille will sound at $40 o.cloct
in the morning.
All the Blues send greetings. One
man at least found letter from his
sweetheart when he arrived Other
letters to other boys would be as
Tome