The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-11-17
PERSHING'S MEN BUILD
ABODE HUTS FOR WINTER
Preparations for Winter Being Made
By the American Border
Troops.

Field Headquarters, Punitive Ex-
pedition. Mexico, by aeroplane to CO.
lum5us. \. NJ. Nov 13.-Preparatlon
for living in warmth and comfort dur
ing the winter months are in full
swine in all the camps of the punitive
expedition, from the border to II
Vale.
Trn tented cities OF the summer
months are disappearing and in Their
stead are rising little villages OF
mud huts. Already, the Offices OF dl-
vision headquarters have been trans
ferred from the big tents to long ro"
of dwellings. Each Office boasts a
fireplace. Bv the first Of December
hardly a tent will be standing in any
of the camps of General Pershing's
command.
Whole regiments are already living
in mud houses. For weeks the en-
listed men in all branches of the ser
vice have been making "dobe brick
and erecting little huts. Comfortable
one room residences" are being
briTt by the officers. Crude fire
places are part Of every dwelling
Cold winter nights will hold no ter
rors when the homes are finished.
Bathing has been done in the open
air, under improvised showers. with
wooden barrels as overhead tanks
Now, adobe lighthouses are being
built, with big CRATES where huge
tubs of water can be heated.
Around the Campfire.
Campires are beginning to gloom
for the first time since last spring
when the troops crossed the border
Th1 nightly gathering of off1cers
around the fires in front Of regimen
tai headquarters has begun again.
while huge bon-fres attartc troopers
and infantrymen in different por-
tions of the camp.
Winter clothing has not yet been
issued to the troops, except over
coats. However, each newly arriving
truck train brings the heavy under
wear and outer garments worn BY
American soldiers in cold weather. In
short time the 10000 men of General
Pershing's column will be completely
fitted out for the winter months.
Big shipments of Sibley stoves are
expected soon, so there will be no
lack of warmth in the houses occu-
pied by men and officers.
This camp is situated at an eeva.
ton of about 5000 feet, ard the Fl
Vale encampment is nearly l,OOO
feet higher. No snow has fallen yet,
but the nights are becoming very
cold. The days are nearly always
warm.
First Winter in Field in Years.
A number of the regiments in Mex
leo. infantry and cavalry alike, are
spending their first winter in the field
in many years. Many officers are
watching closely to see how their
men endure the rigors of this new
experience.
In most cases, Mexican workmen
are being employed by the officers to
build their dwellings. Houses for the
enlisted men have been constructor
almost entirely by themselves. Ma
terial such as roof-timbers, corrugat-
ed sheets and tar-paper for roors anu
glass for windows is purchased at
the ouartermaster' depot here.
No. provision has been made yet tor
sheltering the thousands of horses
and mules in service here, but 1t is
reported that plans for this are III
the making.
Unlike most of his officers, General
Pershing prefers tent as a dwelling
nIace whether it be summer or win
ter. He has said there will be a
bungalow" built for him this winter
A small oil-stove takes the chill Oh
the canvas home, where he transac1s
most of his business.
when the expedition is Withdrawn
a complete village will be left be-
hind. ready for the occupancy OF any
natives who wander this way looking
for home.