Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1916-08-31
BIG PROGRAM FOR
PALMETTO TROOPS
NATIONAL GUARD WILL STAY ON
BORDER UNTIL NOVEMBER
1ST AT LEAST.
WITH THE BOYS AT FT. BLISS
Interesting Happenings About the
South Carolina Soldiers Now In
Camp on the Mexican Border That
Will Interest Our Readers.

In Camp with the South Carolina
Brigade. in the El Paso Patrol District.
That the South Carolina National
Guard will be kept on the border at
least until November 1 is revealed
through the program of field training
which has been issued from the head
quarters of the El Paso district In ac-
cordance with the provisions OF gen
eral orders. No. II. of the war de-
partment. The program mapped out
runs through the 31st of October and
what is intended beyond that date Is
not known. Whether there will be
further training of the troops or
whether they will be sent back TO
their homes is something which only
the war department and the military
chieftains know
A progressive order OF instructions
is being followed with the idea of
reaching fair degree OF training by
the 1st Of November. Instructions com
menced with the small units and pro-
gress to the larger units eliminating
in the field manoeuvres of all the
troops in divisions and in the district
The instruction began with the
training OF companies and this was
during the month OF August Because
the South Carolina regiments did not
reach the border until some days ago
they will necessarily have to compress
the training into a smaller space of
time but as they received considerable
work by companies during the time
they were at Styx they are in good
way TO take up the work at this point
and carry 1t through according 10 the
program and without losing in effici-
ency.
The Palmetto regiments began com
pany drills Monday morning~And this
wiu continue through the 3lst inst.
This will be followed by the training
by battalions from September to Sep
tember 15, inclusive. and by training
by regiments from September 16 to
September 20, inclusive.
From September &c to September
81 the troops will be trained by brig
AIDES.
In Field Manoeuvres.
The month OF October l to October
81 will be devoted TO field work and
manoeuvres and this will he by the
largest bodies. such as divisions and
all the troops in this district. 1t is
thought that these manoeuvres will be
held at some point where there is suf.
ficient ground for the handling of the
thousands OF soldiers and just where
this will be is not known yet to the
public.
During the dress parade no swords
are used. but the officers wear their
pistols
Lieut.. Ortmann of the German Fusi-
leers is collecting a baseball team
from the Second to go up against those
from the other National Guard regi-
merits baseball league has been
formed composed of the National
Guard regiments from all the states
encamped in this district and Lieut..
Ortmann is determined to put out a
team which will prove a winner. The
Second has some fine baseball stars
and they will more than hold their own
on any diamond and against all
comers.
Col. Springs has telegraphed Gov.
Manning recommending the appoint
ment OF George Nj. Benet as lieuten-
ant OF the Columbia Light infantry.
Mr. Behe was formerly lieutenant OF
this company but was rejected on ply
sical examination However he has
since qualified and Col Springs rec
ommends his reinstatement.
The report that President Wilson
may review the troops encamped in
El Paso and along the border has
caused a good deal of interest through
out the camps OF the National Guards
men and regulars. In no place would
the visit of the president be more wei
coined than among the South Caro-
linians. for they are not only all good
soldiers and would welcome at any
time visit and review by their com
mander-in-chief, but 1T happens that
they are all Democrats and followers
of the man in the White House.
The Second regiment band was be.
ing instructed the first Of the week in
how 10 prepare blanket rolls for ser
vice in the field Bandmaster O. X.
Wilson practices his men at every
opportunity and they have become
very proficient
Lieut.. Alexander OF Company X has
been detailed by Col. Springs I'm
charge OF construction for the Second
and his detail is now building the com
bination kitchens and mess halls
which will be thoroughly screened.
Lieut.. Smith OF the TimmonsviIle
company Is exchange officer OF the
Second.
Mai Bradford continues as sum
mary court officer of the Second.
The machine gun company OF tho
Second had a practice work out with
the machine gun company OF the
Seventh regiment OF the regular army
on Monday at Fort Bliss.