Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-06-05
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1913.
Anniversary Preparation.
Work Progressing Rapidly In
The Big Camp. Substantial
Menu Outlined for Week.

Preparations on the part of War De-
partment officers for the coming of the
veterans in July are fast rounding into
shape. Major Groves canvass for the
army of cooks and helpers who will be
needed has reached a stage that encour-
ages the belief that a sufficient number
of competent men will be procured.
Every item connected with the cele-
bration runs into startling figures when
provision has to be made for 40 600 vet
Grams. For example it was first contem-
plated to spread tables at which all could
be seated, but it was found that this
would require 40 acres of ground, which
would have to be leased from private
owners. The tables alone would cost
$75, 900. Therefore, tables 40 feet long
will be established in the rear of each
two rows of tents and connecting with
the kitchen. These will seat 20 on IA
side, with one at each end. and with the
meal hours extending over an hour and 3
half for EACH all can be served without
CfOWulIlR UT hurry.
Fourteen refrigerator cars will be re-
quired to haul the meat and other perish
able food and serve as store-houses dur
ing the Encampment. 1t will requ!r
three carloads OF ice cream to furnish all
that will be supplied on the Fourth OF
July. The amount of fresh beef con
tracted for is l3O, 900 pounds, with 20, 600
pounds of fresh pork. $1,000 pounds OF
bacon, 10000 pounds of corned beef
l65, 600 pounds of -four, lS0, 900 pounds OF
potatoes, 10, 900 pounds of onions, l4,000
pounds of coffee and $4,000 pounds of
sugar.
There will be two basins supplied for
each tent, and 10000 pegs will be requir-
ed for these alone. Each tent will re-
quire Sc pegs, making over 800, 900 for
the 5, 800 tents. There will be 70 miles
of bitches around the tents and 70 miles
of main bitches connected with these,
making altogether l4O miles of trenches.
A brigade of 900 cooks will be re-
quired to prepare the rations. At the
head of these will be cooks from the
Regular Army, trained in preparing
great quantities of food and in handling
the culinary force Not enough cooks
could be spared for the camp. and it is
expected to bring in cooks who have had
experience in National Guard Encamp-
ments and others of similar experience.
The head cooks will arrive June II and
begin their preparations, and other cooks
June %, and the work of issuing rations
will commence with supper, June 20. The
washing of the dishes will be an i'm
mense job and will be provided for by a
crew especially selected and assigned to
the work.
Captain Dalton has had a large force
of men at work on the tent erection
They are at present driving tent pins,
and the total necessary for the 5000
tents is about $50, 600. This work will be
finished this week, and then the pitching
of canvas will commence The Captain
expects this to go on at the rate of two
hundred per day.
The work under the water and con-
struction contracts is progressing nicely
great quantities of cord wood are being
received and distributed to the cook
houses, the electric lighting construction
is finished and tested, and the whole
camp carries an air of preparedness that
is assuring. Gettysburg Sentinel.