Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-08
TELLS FRIEND
OF MIMIC WAR
CARL cRIsWELL WRITES FROM
BROWNSVILLE OF RECENT
ARMY tMANEUvER.

ARMY MANEuvER.
e. E. Manns, superintendent OF John
Morrell & Co., received an interesting
letter this week from former employe,
Carl Criswell, with Company G at
Brownsville, Texas telling Of their
J Thanksgiving celebration and the re-
| cent war maneuvers. Enclosed In the
which was printed the roster Of the
company, and also copy Of the praise
! service program which was held Thurs
day morning at 8 o'clock at the infantry
parade grounds. The letter Is given be-
low:
Dear Friend:
AS 1t has been some time since I
have written, will try to write you some
this evening. This leaves Company G
ton which we have coming to us, after
the nine days workout we got COM
mencing Thursday, November is and
ending Friday November "a. There Is
only one hour drill day this week for
us and guess we just get that to keep
us from getting stiff and lazy. There is
nothing doing at all tomorrow In the
way Of drilling. There Is to be big
special church service held on our pa
AoSS "a ouAAAS III IAAC INV AAo "AAASAA w
are all going to attend
We left camp November 16 at $500
o'clock on our ten days maneuver.
When we go out ON these maneuvers
and hikes. the first hour we march
forty five minutes and rest fifteen. The
rest Of the time we march fifty minutes
and rest ten. Our first day out we went
about eleven miles, pitching camp
about one mile from a little town by the
name ~ Olvnjfo o'c10ck
Eleven miles in little better than
three hours actual marching time is
good, when one stops to think that
moving an army Of 1000 men Is no
small job, with the boys packing their
bed poles and emergency rations to-
gether which weigh about seventy-five
pounds. When we got to the place
day out, we Immediately got busy and
put up our shelter tents, or as we call
them, pup tents. We ate our lunch
which was prepared for US before we
started that morning, which consisted
of two cans Of baked beans per squad OF
eight men, and a roast beef sandwich
each. We don't think there were any OF
us who ever enjoyed a meal better than
we did this one. Shortly after lunch
getting a little sleep and rest before
supper time.
Some Of the boys feet were sore and
had blisters on them and others were
troubled with breaking down arches.
but they had the field hospital along to
take care of all these. We had supper
at $3.50 o'clock and at o'clock most all
of the boys were in bed sound asleep,
with one day gone and thinking Of what
will come on tomorrow.
On November II, the beginning of
our second day, we had breakfast at 8
o'clock and started marching towards
San Benito. distance Of about ten
miles. We reached there at 1880, pitch
ing camp for the rest of the day and
night. The third day out we ate break
fast at o'clock and started marching
at towards Harrington. On our way to
Harlingen we met part of the enemy
and engaged In q mimic battle with
them, which lasted until o'clock. We
came about mile and three quarters
from Harlingen for the rest Of the day.
Will not mention anything much about
our maneuvers.
On November 10 the whites drove US
back towards San Benito where we
camped for the night. November 20 we
left San Benito, going in northwestern
direction and again we came in contact
with the enemy, capturing the Iowa
cavalry. We then went back to San
Benito and camped the same place as
we did the day before. November Fl we
left San Benito, marching back to Oh
mito and camping the same place as on
our first day out. November % we left
Olmito, going towards Brownsville and
camping there until Friday morning
when the final battle was fought and at
noon or shortly afterwards we broke
camp and started back to Brownsville,
reaching our camp about $3.50 or
o'clock
The camp looked like a paradise and
our tents like mansions to what we had
been used to during the nine days
maneuver. We were Just as glad to get
back to camp as we will be to get back
home. During this maneuver we ate
the same as we would in actual war.
Our first meal in camp sure was relish
ed. On Saturday. November 25 there
was big review held Of all the troops
that took part in the manueuver, on
the Resaca De la Palma before General
Parker. which was fitting climax and
a thrilling spectacle.
1t was hard trip and we all are glad
it is over with, yet it was interesting
and there was something to be learned
from it. Well. as l said when / started
writing, it would only be few lines
and / think l have done that much. :
Must close for this time. wishing you a
happy Thanksgiving. I remain as ever,
Your Friend, Carl Criswell,
~ ~ ~ TO