The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-08-22
wooDMEN AT PENSACOLA


in the radius of the Stars subscrip-
ton list, we consider the following
report by Chas. Z. Harris of the Star
Office one of the most interesting
things we can print:
District Encampment of the Uniform
Rank
One of the greatest weeks for the
Uniform Rank Woodmen of the World
Of the 10th district, was the one spent
in Pensacola from August z to IL, the
event being the tenth district encamp-
ment Of the Uniform Rank, composed
of companies from Alabama, Georgia
and Florida.
Co. "H,' Both regiment, attached to
Fort King camp, w. 0. W., was rep,
resented at the encampment by Quar-
termaster Sergeant F. J.. Burden and
Captain Harris. The two gentlemen
mentioned left for Pensacola on the
afternoon of August 9Th and reached
their destination at 10:45 on the
morning of the 9Th. Upon their ar
rival at the Gulf City they repaired
at once to the camp ground, which
was located at Palmetto Beach, re-
sort midway between the city and
Fort Barrancas.
On reaching the camp ground they
found that with the exception OF
three officers, Col G. A. Younger of
Birmingham, Col. C. d. Mills of Jack
sonville, and Maj. Ragland of Dothan,
Ala, no other delegation had arrived.
Capt. Harris Immediately reported
their arrival to Col. Younger, the
post adJutant, and was assigned to
the experimenting of the erection of
the canvas, assisted by Maj. Raglano
and Sergeant Burden.
Sunday afternoon, August 9Th, a
special train from Birmingham arriv-
eel bringing about thirty companies
from Alabama, composed of the 26th
and 133rd regiments, few unattach-
ed organizations and the boys band
from the Alabama Industrial Insti-
tute. Sunday night and Monday
morning two companies from Florida,
namely, Jacksonville and Mona, and
several companies from Georgia ar
rived, bringing the numerical strength
of the camp up to between six and
seven hundred. Gen. Nall, command
ing the brigade and his staff also ar
rived on the special train.
just before the arrival of the Al
ALBANIA companies at the camp ground
q severe rain and wind storm broke
over that section of the state and
using a slang expression sit was
some rain and wind storm" This last
ed for about two hours in the midst of
which the boys reached camp and had
to take shelter wherever possible. A
greater part of the. tents already up
were blown down and water was
standing everywhere, but in spite of
the heavy rain, Captain Harris kept
the contracting crew erecting canvas
and raising those blown down until by
dark enough tents were up to take
care of the majority Of the boys; the
others made themselves comfortable
in the big pavilion, which was used
for mess hall.
Monday morning dawned 'ebleak and
dreary," and about seven o'clock the
rain began again and it was not long
until in some parts of the camp water
was standing sever or eight inches
deep. Here again the Ocala represen-
tatives played an important roll and
got the boys fixed comfortable again,
when Captain Harris mustered a
squad of shovels and assisted by Mai
Dacy, of Alabama, put the boys to do
ing some ditching, which was new tc
the majority Of the men present. This
was perhaps the most. uncomfortable
feature of the camp, but the boys
were willing and eager to learn all
that was possible of soldering and all
the ups and downs that go with it.
and so earnestly did they apply them
selves to ditching that the camp was
as dry as bone within a few hours
With the tents properly drained, ano
the weather clearing, Everybody was
happy and the goose hung high"
Monday afternoon the camp was of
ficially opened by Col. G. D. Mills, and
the men and officers welcomed by the
mayor of Pensacola. Thereafter a
strict military schedule was carried
out in the camp and the real soldier
ing began, and be it said to the credit
Of the Uniform Rank w. o. W., every
man present entered into the game
with the determination to play it to
the letter-and they did, with but
one or two exceptions.
By Tuesday the encampment was
in full swing and after all the com
panies had been properly registered
and the unattached organizations as
signed to a provisional regiment,
Capt. Harris awoke to the fact that
he had been attached to brigade head
quarters as 'handy man of all work. .
and one of the three official Judges OF
the competitive drills, etc., while Ser.
geant Burden, the only member of his
command present, had been gobbled
up by Maj. Ragland, commanding the