Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-08
SIGNAL CORPS WILL
CO TO CAMP AUGUST IS
VIII See Field Service at Fort Myer
Under Regular Army
Supervision.
GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES HORSES
Captain Splatt Expects to Take Sixty
Eight Men to Signal Corps First
Encampment-Win Learn to Use
Field Wire Apparatus.

Preparations for the initial cncamp-
mont OF the Signal Corps, tho newest
aha' perhaps, the most progressive
branch of the State military service
are Doing rapidly pushed forward. and
ps 'he time August Is rolls around
captain splatt's company will be in
readiness to begin Its ten days of camp
life at Fort Myer.
~ inc average militiaman Camp duty
-. puSbear, but to the Signal Corps
10 an innovation, something in the
! ire OF soldier that has never been
tried. and something to look forward
~ win curious, if not pleasant. antici
! patioH. however, IL the present nlana
mature, The members of the local or
saniIatlon are sure to have the time of
their life. '' VI
Less than two years old. the SIGMA,
Corps has made rapid strides and :, g
mem oers are eagerly looking forward
10 the nrst tour of field duty. Tho com
pahy is fullE equipped with the latest
type or technical apparatus and is I'm a
position TO enjoy the greatest advan-
tages from the encampment. The field
! equipment will be taken from here hu,
horses Tor the entire company will be
secured from one OF the cavalry ont
| hts stationed at Fort Myer
captain Splatt, commander Of the
| onS' eta'eu yesterday that he eX-
poets to carry the full quota of sixtv
seven men and three officers tn rho ar.t
| encampment
| BELIEVES EMPLOYERS
WILL LET MEN OFF
While some of the men are natural
| ~ having trouble in getting the mecca
| sary leave of absence, l do not exnact
to leave any behind. All have been
ordered on duty and are anxious to he
GIN some employers may be obdurate.
out with the present agitation for pre-
paredness I do not think that any viii
stand in the way of their EMPLOYEES
| performing military service when the
situation is explained to them Local
concerns have seldom stood in the way
or the militiaman and his duty. and
do not think that any will take this
attitude now"
The present plans call for the Signal
Corps TO leave here on the morning of
August IS, arriving in camp that az
| ternoon. Mounts will be provided there
and the company will be under can
vas within an hour after getting the
camp equipage off the cars. Tho com
pany VIII encamp on the main parade
ground. and II is proba BILE that the men
will eat with one OF the cavalry COM
mands now garrsoned at the post This
| VIII mean that the food will be of the
| best, both in quality and in preparation
Using regular army horses, the men
will also be relieved of the work OF
stabling them, although they will re-
ceive actual instruction in this duty by
| being detailed to assist the regulars
| The cooks and commissary sergeant
will also get practical instruction In
| the post kitchens. aiding in the prepa-
| ration OF the meals.
WILL LEARN USE OF WIRE
CARTS AND FIELD APPARATUS
| The chief work to be done at Fort
| Myer will be to learn the operation OF
/ the wire carts and other field appa-
ratus. The men will be taught to lay
| telegraph wire and to recover 1t at n
rapid pace. They will be expected to
establish radio stations and operate
| them. In addition to this work the
men will also be put through mounted
drills in company formation. Instruc-
! ton will be given in equation, map
drawing. map reading and all branches
OF signalling.
| While never before in camp as a COM
pany. the Signal Corps is by no means
bunch of rockies. Many of its mem
| bers have seen service In the Blues
! Grays Howitzers and regular army. Its
| officers have also had considerable eX-
perience in militia service, while they.
as we'll as three non commissioned off,
GERS. recently spent two weeks at the
Army Signal School. Fort Leavenworth,
Kan. learning the very things to be
impaired to the personnel.