Northwestern Military Academy - Yearbook (Highland Park, IL)

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72 THE TARGET . . camp iuini ' OR rendering our physical powers and mental faculties more ' capable of achieving a higher standard of work during the remaining days of school, the management of the institution B F deemed it necessary to give the cadets a refreshing week of i I military camp life. banks and gravelly slopes of the Rock River, six miles from . R- Rockford, Illinois. Immediately upon the corp 's arrival at camp, the tents were pitched and everything got in readiness for a week's sojourn. The guard lines were established and during the whole Week, day and night, sentinels patrolled their beats like Spartans. Many had stoic looks on their faces which seemed to tell of endured hardships and past trials. The morning of each day was taken up with military drills and inspections. Oh! How strenuous it seemed to some whose lassitude would not be overcome. ' ' Url The camp was admirably situated on the beautiful green wwf f, The long afternoons were leisurely spent in various pleasures, such as boating, fishing and swimming. Others liked the more civilized sports --the ball games, parades and circuses of the nearby city. Those who wished to muse undisturbed resorted to the shady woods along the river, where all was quiet except the rustling of the slow-swaying boughs moved by the gentle winds. Here they pensively sat alone, or perused tattered letters taken from inner pockets. Pistol practice and trap-shoots gave those Western cadets from the plains something to keep them quiet. Their dexterity in handling fire- arms and also their superior marksmanship are beyond description, however, the boys from the Northern woods were right there with the goods. The cool evenings were spent in lounging around the cheerful, crack- ing camp-fire, singing the good old songs, occasionally these merry gath- erings were pleasantly interrupted by the brilliantly lighted old river steamers, plying up or down the stream with their gay dancing parties. The G. A. R. and Decoration Day parades in Rockford gave the N. M. A. battalion another opportunity to add praise to its name. They took advantage of it and appeared in both parades. The corps throughout the entire week at camp enjoyed the hospitality of the Rockford town-folks. Our boys promptly took 'advantage of the situation, and many a susceptible youth was held and is still held in gentle captivity by the maidens of the Rock River town. The week seemed only half over, when one morning we faced the sad proposition of returning. The boys, at a call from the bugle, broke camp in the usual military order and were soon on their way back to Highland Park. They arrived at the Academy in the evening. , 1

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E and 11 Play. rt, Jim editable P0I'tan13 If which Klee, it best be ke. respec- di8Tees H1 irre- lie Re- itching Sport ily the Lluable aps. t time ,l. 1 hope 'ed or ' 4th, vlajor ilancl rmecl igan, mill' iam: aspe' vid- they a 110 and THE TARGET I Overland to Rockford T about 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon, May 21, Captain Yule A. in charge of Gun No. 1 and accompanied by Sergeant Major I. -I camping ground at Rockford, Sergeant Ward riding the Zipprich and Sergeant NVard, started on their trip to our Jalal 1 commandant's horse John , .'Diamond Lake Was reached that night, and camp Was made. The next morning an early start was made and Wauconda was reached at about 9:30. Burton's bridge was reached in time for dinner and shortly after they passed through Crystal Lake. Marengo Was reached about 10 o'clock at night and there a stop was made until the next morning. From here to Belvidere the trip was made in time for a rather late breakfast, enjoyed all the more, no doubt, because it Was late.' At Cherry Valley the corps passed them on the Way to camp with the assurance that at least they would find a tent to sleep in. At last Rockford appeared, and after a short rest for the horses, the march Was again taken up. Arriving at camp, a hearty Welcome was afforded them, and although ready to Walk for a few days, it was noticed that none of them offered to change places with others less fortunate on' the Way back. The B. C. T is the earnest desire of members of the senior class, as well '77 as of the rest of the school, to find out what kind of a mys- terious organization the HB. C. is. The name of it is a JMAXTXA mystery, and if any kind and thoughtful friend can throw any light upon, the subject We shall all be greatly indebted to him. The most serious question at the present time is, How did the shoes climb the flag pole? U 0.0 - 7 1

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gs 1I10I'e mg the tltlltign Qek of 1 green S from '16 tents . The night, voks on S. The ections. not be s, such spoits se who e river, moved tttered m the g fire- wever, crack gath- river trties. 16 N. Thf'Y zality ? the in the poke 1 fo YW' as s s fswg li I it Q, .. +P' 5 I K ,QA X: '7 4 ik J Q i fe i 'ae 'Eggs' THE TARGET' 73 The Dance at Camp N Saturday evening, May 27, the Officers' Club gave a dance to the young ladies of Rockford and also to the new mem- bers of the club who, of course, were considered as children ready at last to enter upon the ordeals and pleasures of their future great work. The success of the dance, which was most pronounced, was due to the hearty co-operation of the young ladies present who joined with the cadets in making the boat merry with their light laughter and charming ways. e The dance was held on the deck of the good old boat 'tlllinoisf' and no doubt the thoughts of the bright faces, the brilliant lights, the softly flowing waters of the Rock River, and last, but perhaps not least, the secluded corners near the paddle wheel, will linger long in the memory of the cadets who were fortunate enough to be present. This was the second dance the members of the Officers' Club have given this year, and both seem to have given much pleasure to all con- cerned. The only regrets were that far too soon the dancing had to cease, and when the boat stopped at the landing many were the requests that extra time be given the cadets to see that the ladies were escorted safely home. At last all returned to the boat, and when she was headed for camp again there might have been seen many looks of longing in the faces which so short a time before had looked as if life were intended for one long round of pleasure. However, such is the way of life, and many look forward to another such good time, if possible, in the same place. To us who have seen our last camp at N. M. A. there cannot help but come a tinge of sadness to overshadow the thoughts of past pleasures. However, our best wishes still remain with those who are left, and may they enjoy the future even more than we have enjoyed the past. sms ssfeaoeetfs