Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-07-20
POLE MOUNTAIN, WYO.


MIR. Osborn Dorsey of the NJ. @. p,
got his discharge Sunday. He left for
Denver. where he will probably take
ON again for the detachment at Riley.
Nothing is known as to when the
troops will be paid. 1t is believed
that they will get paid next month
ior both July and August.
II the militia troops do not come.
the regulars will leave the maneuyer
camp on the 27th. The commanding
general says that there is too much
danger of pneumonia 10 remain long
er than the date mentioned.
The maneuvcrs so far are not very
hard. The problems are usually
solved within two hours and half
after boots and saddles are sounded.
During the past week there has
been very little head work for en-
listed men. They have not had to
put into operation any OF the instruc-
uons taught from the field service
regulation. but the field instructions
are very likely to come into play each
day after the militia comes and makes
the body OF troops larger.
The ~ c. o. get seven nights In
bed and the privates nearly the same
number.
The greatest trouble in the camp is
caused by the furious wind storms
which arise every afternoon. There
are always at least three storms and
each is followed by hard shower OF
rain. These storms are SO impetu-
GUS that they violently tear down two
or three tents every afternoon. One
tent was carried 80 high In the air
that several men remarked that 1t
looked like an old.fashioned war bal
loon.
Whenever one OF these tempestu-
GUS winds come up on dry day. tho
most horrible sight OF all is seen down
on the picket lines where the horses
have trampled the dirt until 1t has
become as fine as flower. The large
pieces of brush, sticks. gravel. dust,
and newspapers carried by these gales
brighten the animals nearly to death.
The horses and mules jump and kick
and rear: feed tent flies are torn up
and one end flew 25 feet in the air;
loose hay sails in front of the strong
est gale: picket lines are broken and
carried hither and thither; everything
is put into whirling and dipping mo-
ton for about five minutes. After
this calmness and peace. II 1t does
not rain, is enjoyed for probably an
hour. Then two more such storms
as Just described are likely to fol-
low at an hours interval. After tho
last gale passes. rebuilding OF tho
camp takes place.
or the two camps that the regi-
ment. Mas occupied in the past two
years.rt is difficult to tell which is
tho worst-the one in Texas whore
the men were in mud up to their
knees every day for n month, or the
one in Pole Mountain where their
eyes are almost beaten out daily by
sand and gravel. As the present en-.
campmcnt Is only for short duration
no one will get disheartened what
ever the conditions. In fact, IL a vote
was had, 1t is believed that majority
would prefer living In camp situated
in n sandy country to one located In
a muddy hole.
The camp Is situated on hill that
has about four-degree slope. SO
II matters not how long or how hard
It rains, the water has either to run
or down the hill or soak into the
ground within five minutes after 1t
Quits raining And ~ there II 20
much sand and gravel mingled with
the dirt. no mud 10 ever left in tho
troop streets.
When the sun 10 shining, It 10
warm enough for anybody. But at
night It 10 10 cold that fires have to
be kindled. Here again the regiment
q fortunate in being placed near
plenty Of good dry wood. All that is
to be- done 10 to get . wagon and haul
It IN.