The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-05-29
TELLS OF LIFE
IN ARMY CAMP
MAJOR ED. HEcKEL RETURNS
FROM TWO WEEKS SPENT IN
U. S. ARMY MANEUVER
CAMP IN SOUTH.

Major Edward Heckel Of the Third
Michigan Infantry, returned yesterday
10 his home in Houghton after a stay
of two weeks in the United states ar
nay maneuver and instruction camp
near san Antonio, Texas The camp
whore Major Heckel was stationed
was not within a couple of hundred
miles of the lighting on the Mexican
frontier. so ne had no opportunity TO
dodge bullets that skinned across the
Rio Grande in the vicinity of FL Paso.
There was enough hard work and just
sufficient discomfort, however, 10 give
the two weeks in camp near-enough
wartime aspect to suit the militia OFF,
GERS detailed there for duty, and the
weather was as hot as the place that
Sherman declared war 10 be.
Major Heckel was one Of six Michi-
gan militia officers detailed for duty at
the instruction camp, at the same time
the others being Major John V. Fra
zier. of the Medical Corps; captain
William j. Lawrence, Co. b.. First In
fantry; Captain Guy NJ. Wilson. Com
pany A, Third Infantry: and 1st
Lieutenant +. A. Lawrence, Adjutant
third battalion, Third Infantry. Besides
these there were about two hundred
other militia officers from various
states assigned to the maneuver camp
at the same time and attached To the
various regiments. Major Heckel on
reporting at Fort Sam Houston, near
san Antonio on May IL, was assigned
60 service with the L. :. infantry, with
which he remained during his stay in
the south. Three days were spent on
the march TO the maneuver camp
seven days were spent in camp and
another three days on the hike back 10
san Antonio. The army travelled in
light marching order. carrying eight
days rations, and supply kit, the men
carrying their blankets on their backs
and sleeping in shelter tents, while the
officers were quartered in Sibley or
pyramid tents. Major Heckel took to
Texas with him about four hundred
pounds OF baggage, Of which he only
used about forty pounds altogether
while In camp.
The militia men were accorded the
greatest consideration from the regu-
lar officers who made no discrimina-
ton against them in any way and the
enlisted men OF the regulars gave them
the same consideration according TO
their rank that they gave their own
officers. The mornings We're spent in
various army maneuvers, giving the
militia men a thorough insight into the
methods. employed by the regulars,
showing them how some things ought
not 10 be done. The afternoons were
spent by the regulars in resting but
the militia officers were Obliged 10 put
I'm the time listening 20 lectures on
. military problems. There are about
sixteen thousand men I'm the camp, Of
which about fifty per cent are new re-
cruits enlisted since the camp was es-
tablished, in consequence Of which the
efficiency OF the old time men is
somewhat impaired, and on the whole
their work is not in any way superior
20 that OF the militia I'm their annual
camps the recruits being less capa-
bic on the march than active national
guardsmen. The army is also ham,
pcred by a shortage Of officers.
Nothing connected with the camp so
impressed Major Heckel as the army
mule without which he says the army
could scarcely exist. II hauls his bag
gage wagons and pulls the artillery, it's
accomplishments in this latter direc-
ton being simply amazing, according
TO the major, who watched several