The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-08
From the Chattanooga News.


 "A luxury usually attributed to the X \ effete heroes of romantic tales concerning totally unreal conditions, yet just such melodious recall from sleep greeted the student soldiers at Fort Ogle- thorpe this morning. Immediately fol- lowing the bugle blast sounding "Re- veille'' the band marchad up and down the street dividing the regular camp from the civilian camp playing stirring march and reminding the business men that the day held martial activities for them and not activities concerned with the prosatc business of making living and chasing the dollar
 Following swiftly upon the harmonious march of the band came the most trying episode of the day, regardless or the statements to the contrary in health pamphlets-namely, the cold shower bath. Students were almost unanimous in ex- pressing their distaste of the chilly exc rience, and shvered reminiscently in tell ing of it. There is no escape, all must clean themselves and make the best of the temperature. Back of each company street is a little shanty housing 15 show CTS, but totally unprotected from the breezes that stir rather coldly at this season of the year when the hour IS no later than in the morning.
 Then came setting-up exercises for 10 minutes under the snappy direction of Capt. Herman Koehler, physical director at West Point Captain Koehler has the l1nack of bestirring the soldiers to Her culean efforts, and was particularly suc- cessful in his conduct of the exercises.
 After breakfast the drill was taken up where it was left the day before. The companies had progressed to the point where they could perform the rudimen- tary evolutions in company formation, thus covering the school of a soldier and the school of the squad in one day, or in about one-tenth of the time taken to instruct the ordinary run of army recruits in the same movements, and the greater part of the morning was occupied in per- fecting the movements taken up late the day preceding.
 Among the events scheduled was the formation of the contingents desiring to take instruction in cavalry and artillery 
 following the practice with light march ing equipment. when the company com manders asked all desiring to take such instruction to report immediately follow ing dismissal from that drill. Nearly third of each company signi6ed the in- tention to take these branches, and it was stated by Col D. w. Ketcham that the organization of these units would be per fected and that instruction in the branches would be under way very shortly.
 However, the majority of the officers were of the opinion that it would be wiser for men taking their first course of instruction to remain in the infantry, as that branch includes the parliamentary training necessary in all branches, and that by neglecting the foundation for the more specialized matters the education re- ceived in the short space of 30 days would necessarily be top heavy.
 Night found the students universally tired. The physical drill set by Captain Koehler and the bodily and mental strain of mastering the details of unfamiliar movements in drill had left them wearied but wiser. Not sadder, however, for they were of one mind in expressing their satisfaction with camp life and the bus1- ness of a soldiers life.
 1 General disappointment is expressed by l the officers that the camp is not more largely attended and steps are being taken to extend the scope of the camp 1 to those not able to meet the present | conditions. To that end bulletin has been issued by Capt Gordon Johnston, aide to Gen. Leonard Wood, that concerns | the members of the National Guard in particular that is thought will be effective l in increasing attendance.
 ! Officers state that they are surprised l fhat nearly half of the students present should be customers who have come a long, long distance to attend camp sparingly attended by the residents of | the district in which it is held, and ad- vance the theory that the sentiment in favor of preparedness has not reached l the same pitch of enthusiasm in the south that it has in other sections. Other the ories advanced are that the condition of the cotton crop has prevented the at tendance of a large number from the states of Mississippi, Alabama and the Caroliras. A much larger attendance is | expected at the June and July camps, when the vacation period is extended to a large number of college men and to a great many more business and profes- sional men,
 Perhaps the most interesting man in 'camp is Capt. Herman koehler, in charge