The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1916-10-04

the distinction Of being the only
South Carolina soldier so far to draw
the fire Of the neighbors just across
the river. Smith Is from Colleton
county near the town of WATERFORD.
Had it not been for the promptnesS
OF Cncle Sans soldiers who were
guarding the American side OF the
stream Private Smith might not have
lived to tell the tale for the Mexican
guard. although missing the first shot,
had drawn bead on Smith and was
just in the act of pulling the trig-
ger Of his gun when the American
guard waded into the river and res
cued the South Carolinian.
Col E NJ Blythe, Maj. Richard F.
Watson, Capt. Hayward Of the Smyth
Rifles, and this correspondent took
a long horse back ride into the noun
tains on Sunday morning. The party
hit road just to the left OF the
mountains lying Immediately in the
rear of the Pennsylvania camp and
followed a gap between two mountain
ranges. After riding several hours
through cactus, sage brush, mesquite
and following a trail which appeared
to be the bed Of an ancient river the
party came abruptly up against the
mountain wall and could not get
over the range with their horses.
Hence it was necessary to retrace
their steps over the same route by
which they went. The country was
bleak and bare save for the cactus
and sage brush and mesquite. Num-
bers Of soldiers were seen on the
peaks of the mountain ranges on
both sides for mountain climbing Is
one Of the never failing amusements
of the guardsmen who are encamped
here.
Word that the North Carolina
troops are on the way was received
in the Palmetto camp with great
deal Of interest. The Tarheel SOL
diers are to encamp just above the
Second regiment and their camp site
has already been prepared. They are
expected to reach here by the latter
part Of this week. A construction
force under Capt. Justice OF the
Spartanburg con- .any is making the
additional arrangements in the way
OF construction for the Tarheel camp.
They will have to grub off the cactus
and sage brush and pitch their own
tents. Their latrines and water pipes
are already in and as soon as they
have cleared their camp site, pitched
tents and build their kitchens they
will have as comfortable camp as is
on the border.
The North Carolina troops are to
form part Of the Ninth division
along with the South Carolina SOL
diers. The missing units are the
troops from Georgia and the regiment
from Florida. North Carolina has
brigade under it's own brigadier gen.
eral.
A rain which fell only on the Pal
meta and Pennsylvania camps Sun
day afternoon brought relief from
the alkali dust which is the greatest
drawback to this country. The rain
put the ground in fine shape for the
men who went out on drill this morn
ing and every one enjoyed the escape
from the dust and sandstorms If only
for a day.
The Palmetto regiments are e1-
pecting to draw border patrol assign
ment by the end Of the month. Moth
ing official has been given out on this
proposition and they may not get on
border patrol but several are expect
ing it and would not mind being given
a chance to show how to keep the
bandits and other undesirable Mexi-
cans on their side Of the Rio Grande.
Mrs. J. Frost Walker and two chill
dren of Union and Mrs. L. c. McFad-
den have arrived in El Paso for a
visit to their husbands, Capt. Walker
of the Union company and Capt. Nc
Fadden of the Rock Hill company.
The First regimeotal band con-
tinues to show steady Improvement
and it now ranks with any similar
organizations in the National Guard
organizations in and around Ell Paso.
The concerts which the band frequent
ly gives in front Of Col. Blythe's tent
always attracts a crowd and they are !
constantly in demand.