The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-08

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Germans were coming, we were informed
but because We had to make room for the
troops that were on their way to Rouen.
Each man was given kilo can Of meat.
three kilos of bread. a can OF sardlnes and
also canteen for water. This, we were
told' was our food for three days the time
TO get To Toulouse. However, we received
another can Of meat before We reached
there Coffee and cheese were given us
on our journey each day
ABOUT noon we We're marched to the
station and u striking Appearance We dis
played marching with our blankets rolled
and thrown across our shoulders. carving
our own belongings wrapped In a bundle
or III suit case and dragging with us
our water canteens. dinner pals and
bread however we were stout of heart
ana Kept step well. Notwithstanding the
not sun and our Inconvenience during
the half hours walk to the station
We left Ruuen at Z. NJ In freight
DON cars. twenty eight men in each car.
THIS gave us Just enough space to lie
down and sleep at night This trip was
repetition OF the other. However, the
monotony OF the ride was varied by the
appearance OF troops returning from the
front. They looked much the worse for
wear. but always cheerful. on the eve
ming Of the third day we arrived at
toulouse and marched to the Casernc
Perlgnon, whore We arrived at & 80. as We
saw 10y the large clock in the centre OF
the Tar building facing us az We entered
ne barrhck yard. Here We slept OH beds
Tor the nrst time since leaving Paris
Inc taserne Perignon IN ono OF the
many infantry barracks OF Toulouse
There are also many artillery barracks
II Is also one OF the smallest, accoHmo-
dating about 5000 men In all II Is built
IN the form OF a square and in the rear
OF the left hand building coming into the
court through IN" large entrance is "A
canteen In the rear OF the right hand
building is the cuisine and in the rear OF
the large building facing is shooting
range OF 40 meters and the cabinets The
stables and storchouse are to the right of
tile entrance and the prison to the left
large clock is placed at the top in the
centre OF the facing building This is
common to all the barracks to be seen in
Toulouse. Also the courtyards are not
bare but have rows Of trees running along
each building.
Here at Toulouse we first really be-
came soldiers. or rather began a soldiers
life. Here there was discipline, al
though not as strict as We expected In
fact We thought they were rather lenient
| However. " a man did a wrong that VIA
positive dIsobedience he was forced "a
| march with the other prisoners Of whom
| there were about "a dozen (thcse were
/ from among the sgionares from Algeria
/ the Second Regiment. with whom we were
| to fight, six hours a day with full equip
ment This meant carrying thirty pounds
| and marching up and down in front oi
| the prison from 10 IL noon and p
| VI. to 7. NJ Ten minutes rest 1,
! given at the end OF nifty minutes march.
! ing.
Americans Behave We'll.
None Of the Americans received thi,
| punishment. However, there were vol
! unteers punished Here 1t was a sol
/ dier's life reveille az . 4. NJ. black COTE,
while dressing. Then ACKNOWLEDGMENT a.
$50 or G. as the case may he. Drill
or military march or manpuvring tC
d, Q or 10 A. NJ soup at 10 A. NJ. assem-
Element at / i. NJ drll. manPuvring o.
! range shooting to =. NJ. soup at . p
NJ. and off til =. VI. for a stroll in tn
city, except should the company DO OF
! picket duty. when all men OF the com
pany were forced 10 remain in the bar
! racks. Roll call at T. NJ. and light
out at 10 p NJ.
so IL was every day with an occasiona
| varying OF the programme. such as tn
DAYS when We marched to the arsenal u
get our guns. This march, by the wav
was very trying to most OF tho boys o'
the return. for We had TO carry two gum
apiece IL was rather dsconccrtlng Il
a recruit to try to keep In step with tw'
hound guns on his shoulder for Abou
half an hour. Most did, but there Wcr
auItc number OF sore shoulders IN
next day. And then there was the ga
when We marched - kilometers win III
equipment excepting the l2o rounds
examination That was also stunuel
moro so because We cannot get USED I
the harness French soldier wears.
"Flrst there is the long military Goa
which is picked up in front and huttone
In the rear. Then comes the belt VII
!
and one in tho rear. This belt Is hel
un nv suspenders Then comes Dime
lag thrown over the right shoulder an
the water canteen thrown over the ley
After this a sack is thrown over u
back held up BY straps drawn under u
arms In the sack are carried reserN
wearing apparel and the reserve Zoo
these in all are a shirt, a suit OF unde'
wear. a repose cap a night cap, hann
chest protector, a couple OF towels an
handkerchiefs soap, kilo can OF Dee
Ave biscuits )hardtaCk), a small bag
: sugar and coffee and whatever else OF
3 may wish On the top OF the sack al
l placed folded military blanket, MI.
tury vest tight fitting coat worn l
8 CADETS rolled up In a towel or handke
70 chief and pair OF cloth slippers in al
E other dinner bag On top OF all TINS
' placed the soldiers dinner pail, and n
Is strapped tightly to the sack by thr'
straps attached for the purpose
a The effort is to make u all rea'
= 10 the height OF the head and when OF
4 los down il protects him from ehrapn
a Are. Each man is also given a short pa
y 0. legginys. ,..
, "A week after our arrival nj Toulou
y we were asked whether we wished
60 with the battalion de marche. Abo
J. 90 men were needed to nh up the battali'
e and AS all the Americans volunteered
e 90 they were accepted as whole, W
Il we're then shifted TO the battahon
n quarters and we then felt that our pla
was permanent. Second Regiment TIL
Il SECTION. That is just where we are
e stav for our enlistment The rest OF q
e compauv is composed OF Englishmen. Fro
!. the first we got the reputation OF the he
r shots AS section in the battalion al
Il we have been UNFOLDING il. II shootiI
p alone made a soldier we would be rea'
= for the front. But II takes much MOI
however. we are willing pupils, all OF US
u One order Hard 10 FIJI.
4 "One thing is discouraging, thong
. We do not seem 10 get the command
= tlrailleurs. that In. we do not do 1t quick
(. enough. It's the command 20 spa cad o
|. in "A long line to escape the deadly Il