Go, A, 31 Mich, Vol.

Camp George H. Thomas. Chlekamauga Park, Ga., Monday, June 27.- Many events of more than passing terest have invaded the monotony of camp life during the past week. The long-expected new guns, whu-h prove to be the same old model we left behind at Island Lake, have been issued; Hls Honor the Governor. Hazen S. Pingree, has made us a living visit. and gone; the new recruits, exhibiting all their delightful freshness, have arrived; the great Y. M. C. A. tent, for reading and writing purposes, has become a permanent part of our regimental elishment; and last, but most weico news of all, our brigade, and 15,000 other men now quartered at Gamp Thomas, have been ordered lo prepare immediately for active field service. Notwithstanding the strenuous ëfforts of Col. Gardener, we have been contpelled to f all back upon the old Springfield guns. As sooji as the eoloncl E i that new guns were not immediately forthcoming, we were issi'ed Springfields, model 1873. Many of the boys regard these guns as perhaps the greatest misfortune. Although they are new and in good condition, how do you thing, dear reader, the old-fashioned guns of oue of our battleships of 25 years ago would compare with those of Admiral Cervera's fleet of today? Practically the same dlsparity exists between the single shot, 45 calibre Springfleld, and the 30 calibre, high trajectory Mauser magazine rifle, whlch would hold in comparing a single-shot I bore cannon of a quarter of a century ago with the modern rapid-fire gun. We boast of an era of great improvement in fire arms, and the last 25 years has seen a revolution in the army rifles of the world, except in those for the volunteer soldiers of the United States. Perhaps for an all day battle at short range the Springfield would prove a good gun, but when we consider that the theory of a modern skirmish is short and quick work, and that the splendid victory of the "Rough Riders" at Santiago was due to the pouring of a rapid, murderous fire into the enemy. we are compelled to admit that the old guns will place us at a disadvantage which all the sterling courage and dash we can command will not be able to surmount. In his speech before the boys of the Thirly-first on Monday last Governor Pingree said hé would try to have us equipped with the Blake rifle, and as that rifle is considered equal to or better than any other modern gun it is to be hoped he will succeed. The new recruits, 24 in nuir.ber, are rived shortly after noon on Saturday. They were given the glad hand and ihimediately introduced to a plain but substantial meal of army fare, which they unanimously pronounced to be excellent. Their trip to Camp Thomas lacked to some de-gree the ness of our continuous ovation, although they were well received on the road, but when they arrived here the rough experiences through which we passed were entirely wanting-. After much friendly advice and direction, they took to their tents like regulars, and were suecessfully provided for. Two extra tentB, one at eaeh end of the row, and some interspersions here and Uiere, were necessary in order to accommodate them. The reeruits stood their trip well and are delighted with their surroundings. They are a strong. vigorous lot of feltows, and the old members are proud of them. They are receiving the benefits of the experiences of the old men, and under competent instruction wijl soon be able to drill with the company. In passing it rnay be of Interest to note that Company A was the first ecmpany in the regiment to recruit its full quota of men. Lansing having received its full quota wlthin one. At a cost of much labor and considerable expense the friends of the boys among the Y. M. C. A. men of Michigan have fltted out one of the flnest army tents of its kind, with chairs, tables, books, magazines, papers snJ wrlting material for the special benefit of the Thirty-first regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Mr. B. B. Juhnson, one of our own boys whom we deeply regretted to leave behiml at Island lake on account of nis failure to pass the physical examination, is in charge, and it is needless to say that everybody will receive proper attention. The tent, 60x30 feet in size, is located just without the guard line on the V directly in front of the first sergeanfs tent of Co. A, perhaps a half dozen yards distant from where I write, and the fact that scores of our men make uite of it daily proves that it is highly appreciated by them. We hope the tent will follow us vvhen we migrate southward. The order to prepare for active fielï service may mean something, but, on the other hand, it may be countermanded within the next 24 hours. It is hard to believe that we shall be sent to the front with our present state of equipment and the raw recruits on our hands, leaving behind a part of the army corps. The suppositlon has been that the First Army Corps will be sent to its final destination as a wholc. Through the kindness of Mrs. Medarla and the Daughters of the American Revolution, Co. A has received another large addition to its library. It may be interesting to know that the librej-y of Co. A is to be transferred to the Y. M. C. A. tent, where a lar?e nuinber of the boys of the Thirty-first can enjoy its advantages. We all highly appreciate the kindness of our friends in providing us with an abundance of good reading material. Captain Grang-er is in receipt of a wholly unique and original souvenir fiom Mr. Jacob G winner, of which hc is very proud. Mrs. Ross Granger arrived in Cliattanooga. today and the captain has gone to the city to meet her, from whence they will proceed to camp. FRANK A. WAGNER. The silver Democrats had a grood laugh on "General" Jack Sheehan Wednesday. He was being sued by a Mr. Rosenthal on a bond which the plaintiff claimed M. Sheehan had sigaed for F. A. Voorheis when the latter was in the tailor business on State st. The bond was claimed to have been given to secure the payment of Mr. Voorheis' orders up to $100. Mr. Sheehan claimed that he had not been notifled of the a ceptance of the bond, which the law requires shall be done, and that he did not receive any correspondente from them in regard to it. The silver Democrats eould not let the chance slip by to yell "Repudiationist" at him, however, to off-set what the champion gold DemI ocrat had done two years ago.