Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-25

malS.
While the camp vii. he primarily a
point for mobilizing the National Guard
units in time OF need il may also be
made the training ground for the an
nual increments called TO the colors
under the proposed universal service
measure. II is considered probable
that tho camp Will be permanently in
use. and that Petersburg will become
storage and distributing depot for
this section Of the Department of the
East
RICHMOND OFFERED SITE.
BUT PUT UP no CAMPAIGN
Richmond made an effort 10 land the
camp. but did not conduct as energetic
campaign its CoCkade City rival.
Petersburg offered $4,000 TO put the
camp into condition TO accommodate
the troops before Richmond had made
any definite attempt to get the camp.
The site too. is considerably larger
than anything Richmond or other cities
could offer. with the same degree of
convenicnces.
The Information that Petersburg had
been selected received by tn.
Adjutant-General in a telegram from
the Department. OF the East. The tele-
gram, in addition 10 conveying news
Of the selection, ordered the camp 10
be prepared Immediately and intimated
that the troops would he called ou,
within the next few days. Major Allen
Potts. 0uartermaster's Corps. Virginia
National Guard. will he in charge OF
laying off the camp and preparing il
for the reception OF the troops.
In addition to getting the camp. Pe-
tershurE will supply the troops with
food and the animals with forage I'm
der recent order. the Qudrtermaster's
Corps was instructed to purchase
everything needed in the locality in
which the camp is to be located. With
10000 mon in the field. the subsistence
alone will amount to $4,000 n month.
while tho forage for the horses and
mules will reach the same figure The
pay g: the troops will amount TO more
than 500, 600 month.
MAY ALSO BE Used
FON MARYLAND UNITS
While the camp is designated as the
Virginia mobilization point. il may
also be used for the Maryland contin.
gen, as we'll. In tho tentative or
Earization scheme worked out nv the
w
and training Of the 100000 nlcn 10
be raised by selective draft. the forces
Of Virginia and Maryland are to he
organized as unit and drilled as
such in single camp. The two states
will lie expected to furnish a compiete
infantry division. with cavalry. artiI-
lery. engineer and signal troops includ-
cd. y division is the most convenient
unit 10 drill and equip.
Captain Frank T. Hines, United
States Arr,y. made the reports on
which General Wood based his; de-
cision. CAPTAIN Hines spent week.
in Virginia looking over available
sites. The selection had narrowed
down. however. to Richmond anl Pc
tersburG. With this city as The ap-
parent choice The camp site here.
however. was only large enough to
accommodate from 5000 TO 10000 men
and offered no room for EXPANSION.
The Petersburg OFFER included large
acreage for drill and maneuver pur-
poses.
Sherwood and Williams Parks made
up the proposed camp site here. The
two pieces OF property consisted OF
about 800 acres. while there was some
additional Srounu for drills. but not
sufficient for any big maneuvers. Pri-
rate citizens had agreed to see that
$4,000 was raised TO cover the cost o;
putting the camp into shape 10 receive
the troops Some sewerage. water
and electric facilities already had been
been Installed.
IMMENSE STORES no BE
SHIPPED TO PETERSBURG
Major Potts will have big task on
hand 10 get the camp ready for an inn
mediate mobilization. The ground must
he laid off and kitchens mess halls,
shower baths and other conveniences
installed. Water mains will have 10
he laid down each company street. and
electric lights erected. All OF this will
take time. although the city Of Rich
mond last year had the camp here in
fair shape in time to receive the first
contingent OF out-of-town troops.
Immense quantities Of stores will be
shipped to Petersburg in event Of
mobilization, as all new uuits must
be armed and equipped. This will
necessitate the. erection OF storage
sheds and buildings. Arrangements
for taking care of several thousand
horses and mules must also be made.
Lakemont Park Is on the main line