The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-25
Cockade City Wins Coveted
Prize In Competition With
Many Others
EXPECT SITE BE READY
BY FIRST OF JULY
Contains Thousand Acres and
Will Readily Accommodate
$4,000 Troops Funds Are
Pledged to Equip 1t.

Petersburg Was Yesterday selected
by the war department az the location
for the state mobilization camp for the
concentration OF the troops of the ma
tienal guard. Richmond lost the camp.
not because the site here was NOT
satisfactory. but il liz not considered
sufficiently large TO accomm odate the
great number OF troops which would he
mobilixed in this state In carrying out
the extensive military plans or tho
government The work on the camp
will be started Immediately. and II IL
believed it win be ready for occu-
pancy by July J.
The selection of the mobilizat Ion
camp ends a campaign for II that at
tracted tho attention of a number OF
cities and with which army men have
been busy for several months. Cities
in all sections OF the state made ef-
forts for The camp. delegations were
sent here 10 confer with Ad3utant
General ". W Sale. and the business
men OF the rities offered to ratss
funds for putting sites in condition
for the troops. The selection finally
narrowed down TO Richmond and Pc
iersbura. however, when 1t was an
nounced that an Eastern city would
be chosen.
The camp site at Petersburg ts de-
ciared TO be ideal for the mobilization
of the Virginia troops. 1T lies adtoin-
ing the city of Petersburg. near the
Crater. the scene OF tho famous Con-
federate battle. and contains 900
acres. sufficient ground to accomno-
date 10000 troops, This was the de-
cifiuE factor in the selection OF the
camp. as the location fire at Sherwood
take care of the Virginia national suard
when brought up 70 war strength.
numbering about 5000 troops
when Captain r. r. Hines, Of the
United States army. who came TO Rich
mond for the purpose OF going over tho
camp sites. visited Petersburg with
Major Allen Potts and Colonel 10 Lane
stern. the officers pronounced the loea-
ton admirably suited To the purposes
Of mobilization camp. The only OH
lection WAS that II was removed from
the seat OF government. Last year
during the mobilization at Camp stuart,
on account OF the accessibility Of the
camp. and the presence Of the adjutant-
generals office here. IT'S admlnistFa-
tion WAS greatly facilitated
Railroad facilities are on the grounds
Of the new site. and the Hopeweil car
line also runs through 1t. In addition
il Is also cut by the new Hopewell
concrete road. just completed. which
will aid materially in reaching the
camp from the city. The location is
near the city. and electric light. water
and sewerage can be installed without
great trouble. The land Is high and
rolling. there Is lake on the prop
erty. and II is also on the river.
1t is believed that when the order
aSwA
be used by America in the present war.
all the troops to be gotten from vtr-
Sinia will be concentrated at the re-
tersburg camp. which Will be ready
long before the call comes It is also
considered probable that troops from
ether states will be called there. as
the ground is ample TO accommodate Il
large number of mtk.
Business men in Petersburg have
pledged $4,000 for installing the neces.
sary equipment at the camp, and put
ting it in shape for the troops. In
making their claims to the adjutant-
general they promised II the camp was
pisced there. that Immediately II was
decided 1,00o workmen would be placed
on the ground. and the camp placed
in condition with the greatest expe-
dition. It Is expected. therefore. that
the camp will be ready for use By
July at the latest.
Fourth 10 Go 10 Virginia beach,
II was announced yesterday by Gem
eral Sale that the Fourth regiment OF
infantry, which is now doing guard
duty In the Eastern military division
Of the state. would shortly be sent to
the Virginia Beach camp for training
Their places will be taken by other
troops. The Fourth regiment did no.
have the benefit of the border training
such as received by the First and Sec.
end regiments, and the training IT, will
receive at Virginia Beach will be OF
the most intensive nature.
The camp at Virginia Beach is now
In an excellent condition. II has been
prepared for use by the government
in the present emergency, and for time
work has been going on to make |.
ready for an extended occupancy hv
troops. Today the recruits of the
Enites. states raSriNe corps will start
rife practice there, and Il will be used
ny The government for this purpose in
definitely.
,',ts, VA department Yesterday an
naltlcs1 the. Crsnonry T., OF ms See-
ond Kentucky infantry. now at Franks.
port. Ky. would proceed to &. ra.}.
Va, reporting to Colonel Robert g.
Leedy. for such use as he g.,wtt n ve
for them. They will so On gaag.i
duty.