New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-17
First Battalion to Steal
Away, Intrench and Men
ace Camp day.
RIFLES WILL CRACK
IN SHAM BATTLE
Plattsburg Corps Does Eight
Miles In Raln-Mud Holes No
Obstacles for Line.

Plattsburg, ". Y, June 16.-The lot
Of the rookie" became hard one to-
day, and made the life that has gone
before seem almost like one Of pamp-
cred ease. Rain descended on the camp
again in fresh deluge that did not let
up for fifteen minutes.
But for all its efforts, useful adj
junct to instruction was made of the
weather, and the men were turned out
and sent marching through it for eight
miles. II gave them a chance 10 show
what discipline and outdoor life has
done for their mettle. At first there
was a general tendency TO break ranks
as they plodded along in order 10 avoid
the mud holes and puddles. But disci-
pline would not stand for that.
Keep covered off Keep covered
Oft" their commanders yelled at them
which, in plain English, as inter-
preted TO them by their corporals,
meant to keep their files straight and
20 plunging ahead what'er betide.
Return, Soaked to Skin.
Therefore, they came back TO camp
soaked to the skin from the downpour
from above and with mud and water
sloshng in and out Of their shoes as
they stepped. But instead of the bog
of mud and Encouragement that was
wont to greet them in the old camp
they found their new sandy ground dry
and inviting.
There were some assertions from the
regiment by a few who decided they
were getting more Of the life of sol
der than they were paying for. There
were also an unusual number who came
to town this evening for their meal, not
finding the Friday fish mess offered by
the camp cooks to their liking. How
ever, the general atmosphere about the
camp was one Of grit and determine
/ tion to see the adventure through.
There was one noteworthy result Of
the long, hard, wet tramp through the
mud and puddles. and that was the pro-
duction of an optimist without parallel.
He was sitting on the trout seat Of the
evening car going toward town, discuss
ing the days events with another
rookie.
/ Even if they did make US go splash.
ing through mire and all" he said, 81
found that you walked lot less that
way than if you tried to walk around
the mudholes."
The first battalion went 20 bed 70.
night restless with the consciousness OF
sealed orders to be carried into effect
early tomorrow morning. They were
considerably fused up wondering what
thew would be called upon to do, ha5-
/ ing heard enough 10 know some un-
usual call was to be made on their en-
ergies and sOldiership.
Big Battle on To-day.
= The thing they will be called on 20
/ do will be to rise quietly, slip out cI
camp and disappear into the landscape
+ Ont there somewhere they will dig
themselves in. facing back toward the
camp as enemies 10 the peace of the
country. Later in the morning the
other two battalions will be sent out
with patrols ahead to find the enemy.
Z They will have no idea where they
will meet the foe, and it will depend on
their accommodating ability whether
/ thew or the enemy's patrols will get
the best of the first clash. After that
preliminary action is fought out the
main bodies will be brought together
and the second and third battalions will
try 70 dislodge the entrenched first
The roll and rattle Of blank cartridges
will add to the realism of the battle,
the first general use of ammunition the
regiment has yet been INDUCED in.