The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-09
SOLDIER BOYS ARE
 PREPARING FOR HIKE
Busy Days At the ArhIory Where Preparations Are
 Going On.
ssTIN SOLDIERING,'
 DAYS ARE OVER
Some of the Paraphernalia Which Goes Into the Equip ment-Fisher's Island to Be Rendezvous.

The State armory was the scene of much activity yesterday and the hustle will continue until one week from local battalion of the Coast Artillery Corps start for their annual 10 days tour Of duty at Fort G. H. Wright on Fishers Island. Last night members of the 14th company made up their blanket rolls and began to pack their squad boxes. Service in the Connecti- cut militia of these days is no longer 'stin soldlering. The militiaman now goes to camp armed and equipped just like a regular.
 Over his left shoulder hangs his blanket roll. This consists of his shelter half. a brown piece of canvas with flaps which buttened to q silni- lar on6 carried by co1nrade, forms a little tent in which two can lie down. Inside the shelter half is rolled six wooden pins to fasten the little tent ana short pole for one side. In- side is also rolled two blankets. one blue and one olive drab. for the nights are cold at Fort G. Fl. Wright
 At one end of the roll and adjusted so that 1t can be removed readily if needed without disturbing the rest of the roll is the soldiers poncho. This is his rubber coat, really an oblong shaped piece of gum cloth with a. hole in the center through which the sol dier thrusts his head when it rains. The poncho drapes down about his shoulders and over his body and real Iy keeps off the rain much better than a rubber coat If he camps for the night on the march the poncho is laid side down on the ground in his little tent and it keeps down the dampness
 Slung from his suspender canvas ,,,-avv aexT+ Tr.--- r. bayonet in it's scaibbard of rlsset leather, also his canvas haversack. In this the soldier carries fbig tin cup that holds about a quart, a. Steel knife and fork, tin spoon and his iron meat pan. The latter is a very useful arti- ele to the camper.
 It has a cover and a handle and answers the purpose Of a platey stew plan or frying pan. 4 big canteen holding a quart is also part of the equipment. The state now furnishes practically every article of the sol- dier's equipment except his under clothes. Shoes have been issued for several years although this year the quartermaster general has ordered that they are not to be worn unless he directs otherwise before camp time.
 The overcoats and personal effects Of the men arc carried to camp in what are known as squad boxes, long narrow wooden boxes each box hold ing the effects of two men. The men are now busy each night preparing these boxes for camp. On one a. 'brok- en hinge has to be replaced by new one. A lock may be missing from an other. The mechanics Of which every company has several among it's mem berss making all these repairs because they take pleasure in the work and without charge to the stale
 The baggage will all be taken from Bridgeport on a special train the morning of Tuesday, June 16. From the 14th company o. M Sergt. Walter T. Oddly and Privates Raymond F. Morse and George Be1inisk and from the 4th company Y. M. Sergt. J. w. Nolan and Privates Mahoney and rob in will accompany the baggage train The detail from the 11th company has not been made yet