St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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After a few hours, we came in sight of Tolchester, and all crowded to the bow to get a glimpse of the place which for two weeks was to be our home. As we approached the wharf, we got our first view of the place. Situated on a high bluff was a typical summer resort, and to the left of it, in a large field, were long rows of brown tents which had been set up by the advance guard. - i Upon reaching the wharf, the battalion was formed and marched up to the camp. 'All the excursionists had returned to Baltimore, the Beach was deserted, andin the grow- ing darkness the camp appeared extremely uninviting. After we had been assigned to our respective tents, the Quartermaster gave each man a long sack, and instructed him to fill it with straw from a nearby shed. These sacks, with about enough hay to whet the appetite of ahealthy mule, were to constitute our beds for the coming fortnight. It was a strange sight, to see a long line of fellows, coming from the hay rick, each dragging his bed-behind him. The appearance was similar to that of a cullud gentleman returning after a particularly lucrative- session with the hen coops. The lazy members of the bat- talion were very much in evidence, for many a weary youth returning to his tent found an empty sack instead of the well filled one which he had left there. ' A - At half past ten, the efforts of the boys to adapt themselves to theirbeds began. The oldest campaigner would find it somewhat difficult to keep his head and feet on .a sack five feet long, so picture the dismay of one hundred and fifty youths when thisproblem confronted them. But as needs must when the devil drives, the problem was at last solved by applying the principle of a jack knife. T 1 It seemed that our tired heads had hardly touched the bed before the blare of the bugle was heard calling us out. It was not necessary to dress for roll call, so some of the costumes were extremely primitive. After roll-call, every one went over to the nearby pump for a morning splash, except the lucky chap who could bribe his comrade to bring back a basin of water when he returned from his bath. Then breakfast, and the cleaning, rolling up, and inspection of tents 5 hospital call, and shortly afterward guard mount, when the old guards were relieved and the new ones posted. At half past ten, company drill took place and then followed an intermission till dinner. After dinner, battalion drill was indulged in until everybody was heartily sick of camp life, but it is remarkable how quickly our spirits rose when we were dismissed and the gentle toot of the toy railroad announced that amusement was to be had-for the price. Dress Parade at 6.30, and supper imf mediately afterward ended the day, and, when taps sounded at half past ten, it was a pretty tired lot that tumbled into bed to spend the night in peaceful snoring. So much for the work in camp. -There was pleasure too-ah! such pleasure. How often we strolled through the grounds of Tolchester, attracted hither and thither by the harmonious screeching of various steam' pianos, calliopes, or brass bands. Some, yielding to the charms of Terpsichore, entered the dancing hall, and, accosting some fair maiden, 161

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The 'Tolchester Encampment 1 1 On the first of June, in the year 1903, the college battalion, one hundred and fifty strong, swung down Prince George Street to the inspiring tune of Blaze Away, rendered by Limburger's band 'in their own inimitable style. Arriving at the wharf, the com- paniesiwere dismissed, and the fellows, assuming the most comfortable positions possible, sat down to wait for the boat which was to take us over to Tolchester. While we sat there and inhaled the delicious breeze that blew in from the Chesapeake, we realized for the first time that examinations were really over and we were starting on our annual encampment. Asthe proud steamer Louise came in, shivers of apprehension shook those who never before had dared the Hraginglmain. They might have been spared their fear, for the trip across the bay was a- delightful one. The pleasure of the trip was much enhanced by the presence of several ladies on board, and soon after leaving the dock an informal hop was started on the lower deck., At this hop Bonney,Valk and Cutler distinguished themselves by their gallantry. I w - 160

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Tolchester, June 1, 1911 162