Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-29
GUARDTOSTAY
ON BORDER
TIME OF RETURNING INDEFINITE
AS LUMBER is ORDERED FOR
WINTER CAMP.

The current issue of The low;
Guardsman, published by the low,
brigade at Brownsville, Tex, says tina
it is probable that the remaining tw'
regiments of guardsmen on the border
the second and third Iowa, the latte
including the Ottumwa guards, will
winter on the Mexican border The
issue of lumber for the winter CAM
makes their stay quite certain. Thu
following from The Iowa Guardsma1
regarding the Iowa soldiers will be O
interest to their numerous friends anC
relatives:
Second and third Iowa men are
wondering how long it will be before
they are ordered home. First comes
an order saying that part of the Iowa
troops will 60 home. Then the engi
neers are given orders. On the same
day, when rumors are current to the
effect that the other Iowa units will
also go home, the quartermaster starts
something and, as the men say, takes
the joy out of life"
On the morning after the engineers
received their orders the second and
third Iowa quartermasters began haul
ing lumber to each company. The men
were instructed to build up their tents
and make everything comfortable for
a long hard winter. This has been
started and it will be only short time
before each squad in the two regi-
ments has it's quarters coy and warm.
Recently all condemned tentage was
turned in and the men issued pyramid
al tents. They had been issued lum-
Der for the floors early in the fall. The
floors were changed to fit the new
issue Of tentage and all that remained
to be done was to issue the lumber for
building up the sides Of the tent.
All these things are taken by the
men who want to stay here as signs
that the second and third Iowa will
stay here for two or three months.
Those who wish to believe that we
are to be ordered home soon say that
the troops now in Mexico will be
brought out and part sent to the
Brownsville district to take up abode
in the camps now held by the Iowa
troops.
The following are camp notes of
Co. G.. taken from The Guardsman:
Company G spent last week on out
post duty at the Las Nvranjos ranch.
The first night was cool PROPOSE
ton, the weather seemed more like
Iowa weather than Texas. camp fires
and overcoats were quite evident on
all Of the posts.
The usual thrillers that go with out
post duty were quite evident on this
tour of duty. such as noise in the
bushes and shadows which are quite
common.
Private Peters had some trouble
hating loose horse which the boys
say he insisted was bandit
Corporal Frost made a record for
himself and all the rest of the COM
pany for mule riding. Frost felt that
he poor mules needed watering one
so he decided to ride one of
he mules to water. Old Jude spied
l piece of paper and Frost came in
1irect contact with the ground. For
several days after that Frost ate his
meals standing.
Private Goehring while hunting one
lay, sighted rabbit which he thought
le would like to catch. After chasing
he rabbit for about mile he gave it
Up as bad Job
Captain Schamp and Lieuts Youn-
Sin and Nelson showed some good
Orm as hunters. The captajn shot a
lice sized armadillo. while the lieu
enants supplied plenty Of ducks for
most every meal at the officers table.
Private Finnertv saws that he don't
ike duck, but Woodrow insists that
he seven ducks that Jim ate for din.
Ter last Sunday was fair sample.
Corporal "Heinie" Roehrs was dis
'harged while we were on duty, much
o his pleasure and our envy.
Mess Sergeant Duke returned from
furlough while we were on the ranch,
md has taken up his duties.
Private Hobbs was called home on
ccount of his mothers illness.
First Sergeant McMaster has gone
ome on furlough. Sergeant John
tone is acting as first sergeant in his
bsence
Captain Schamp is in command OF
he second battalion in the absence OF
fajor Stanley, who has gone home. on
leave of absence.
Private Knodle has transferred to
he signal corps of the regulars.
Private Proctor is still suffering
rom the effects of long horse back
ide ;he took while on outpost duty
ast week. "Strawhead" says he is
ore all over.
Don't Disregard Your Cold.