Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-06-26
RAIN DOESN DAhPEN
PATRIOTISM AT CAMP
Thousands Of Sunday Visitors at
Camp Harrington--Hundreds
From Annapolis.
FEARFUL FAREWELLS SAID.
Soldier Boys Pleased at Visit of MANY
Friends---Private ]. F. Smith Of
Annapolis Becomes a Bene-
dict at Laurel.

dict at Laurel.
Despite the inclement weather.Camp
Harrington, at Laurel, was the mecca
for a great throng of visitors yester-
day. In the face of what looked like
an all-day's rain, thousands from all
parts OF. the State followed out their
original plans for visit to the camp.
| This was no doubt due to the fact
that many felt it would be their only
| opportunity to view the camp ami say
another goodbye to the boys. Annap-
oils was well represented for, in addi-
ton to those who went over on the
excursion there was large number
OF automobile parties. Those who
| went, whether to see friends or reIa-
tIyes or only from curiosity, were well
rewarded even though they brought
home quantity of Laurel clay on
their shoes. The sight is worth going
far to see and the opportunity for
such a trip is seldom to be found.
Although General Gather had ex-
pressed the wish that no one would go
to the camp before 3 p. M, the visitors
began to arrive in the morning and
continued to pour into the camp
! throughout the day. After the all
night rain Company M and the Ma
chine Gun Company from Annapolis
awoke to find their grounds and even
inside their tents veritable lake.
bitches were speedily dug to dram off
the water but before it hasl chance
TO dry out, the continual tramping
back and forth had transformed it into
sea of mud, in places four and five
inches deep.
Through this the visitors waded all
day long. The length of time visitor
had been at camp could be fairly well
estimated by the amount of mud they
were carrying around on their shoes,
and for once the short skirt proved an
advantage.
Mothers wives, sweetherats and
friends were all therecoming in every
available way-on trains. automobiles
and wagons. Some singly and. some
in parties of ten and twelve, many with
children and from every station of life.
Society lights rubbed elbows with the
smaller stars, ami over all the air of
SoOu lSlIOWSulp pitNdilSu.
The men were all in the best of
spirits but the broadest smile of all
was displayed by Private James f.
Smith, of Company M, who became a
benedict shortly after noon and was
very proud while showing the blush
ing bride around the camp. There
were no signs of fearful farewelIs, but
tha difTnrapt tautc WARE Tho ccano of
family reunions, many of the visitors
bringing their own lunches and eat
ing them there.
On account of the host of visitors
the program was arranged to give the
men plenty of time to be with their
relatives and friends ami practically
every privilege asked was granted by
the officers. No religious services were
held in the camp, but permission was
given to any one who desired to attend
the service in the town. All of the
tents of the Machine Gun Company
were lowered to allow the ground to
dry out after the rain.
The company held a short practice
in the morning, receiving instruction
on the automatic revolvers, which part
of their equipment was received only
shortly before going to camp. The
boys are very proud of their big guns
and willingly demonstrated them to
the curious.
The camp presenteh Kaleidoscope
effect, ever changing as the visitors
and their hosts paraded back and
forth. The girls, of course had to
peek into everything and ask a thous-
and different questions. Many of the
new recruits were without outfits and
curious nonscript uniforms were in
evidence. One would have a pair of
troustrs, but no leggins. Another a
pair of leggins' but no shirt Or hat
| One was noticed uniformed in a
cap and bolo knife and belt. OF course
he wore civian clothes for the balance.
1t is noticeable that the State Guard,
| at which the finger of ridicule has
/ often been pointed and the term ''tin
soldier used, proved prepared to fur
nish the men even before the Govern
ment was ready to supply them with
I outfits. After viewing the conditions.
| it becomes very evident that several
1
weeks must elapse before the men can
be ordred for duty at the front.
An immense amount of drilling mus
be done before they win be in condi-
tion for service. At present the regu-
lars have five and one-half hours drill
every day. and the recruits an hour
more. There is an immense amount OF
| work to be done by the officers and
men before they can say I'VE are ready
10 go 10 the front"
Mr. Ennals Waggaman, who was un-
able to pass the eye test for the reg
ular service has been assigned to the
Quartermaster's Department and is al
work there. Captain Myers. of Com
| pany NJ, and Lieutenant Moss, OF the
Machine Gun Company, both report
all of the men in splendid condition
and none on the sick list.