The Delta independent., 1916-08-25

iousness of his condition. Unless he
voluntarily returns within the speci-
fled limit of ten days, he is forever de-
prived of all rights of citizenship, and
may not even vote. much less to hold
public office. In other words, he be-
comes a man without a country. The
two went away last Tuesday and they
have not since been heard of. This is
a matter of deep and sincere regret to
me, for l had taken to Anderson SO
much and had him in line for promo
ton, that the service would have be-
come both creditable and profitable to
him. The usual government reward is
out for the arrest of either or both of
them. By this act, they have both put
price on their heads, and the pity
of it is that they could not realize it
before it was too late.
The coming week has considerable
work in store for us. Monday we are
scheduled for a battalion march of
short extent and duration. Tuesday
tire, bivouac for the night, and march
back Wednesday. This will be test
for the endurance of both men and OF
ficers, and of their ability to prepare
Shelter tents only will be used. and
all beds left behind. Sleeping accomo-
cations will consist of one blanket and
the bare ground The distance to be
covered by the march will be about 20
miles out and back again.
One week ago we had a nice visit
from Hon. Merle D. Vincent, and the
next day from Joe Gallup and his
daughter, the latter residing in Denver.
spent several hours with us in camp.
While we have been away from home
but two short months. it seems much
longer, and it is pleasure to have a
call made by some of the folks from
home.
Happily the men remain well. They
are getting bronzed by the vigorous
outdoor life, the sleeping in the open,
while some of them are gaining con-
siderably in weight in spite of the con-
stant work, a tribute to the feeding of
Uncle Cam. We have none OF the sick
ness that usually attends life in a mil
itary camp. Typhoid, formerly a
terror to military men, is conspicuous
by its absence. Dysentery naturally
comes with change of water and food.
but we have little of this affliction,
thanks to the watchful care of the
medical department. The entire camp,
with 1900 men, is unusually clean and
healthy, considering the fact that there
are 1000 horses within the camp, this
is remarkably good showing.
Recruiting parties have been sent
out over the state by Federal author
ity. The cavalry has been assigned to
the western slope. This does not
mean that all recruits secured by them
must go into the cavalry, as a recruit
is given the right to select the branch
of service he desires-and this state
ment is made in the event that any
Delta county man does enlist and
wishes to be with the Delta Company,
he may do so by expressing his wishes
to the recruiting officer.
Many diversions are offered to break
the monotony of camp life. We have
organized baseball teams among the
/ different branches of the service and
matches are played regularly, with the
, infantry in the lead. Boxing bouts,
| tug-of-war. and other sports are in.
dulged in with good, friendly rivalry.
Moving pictures are brought to the
camp and free exhibits are given the
men. By reason of these things the
dull moments are we'll overcome and
there is always something of interest
In the matter of exercises. we
: have practically abandoned the old
system of calisthenics, for early morn
, ing, and have taken up a new system
of physical exercise with the rifle.
, The visit of General Barry. Com
mander of the Central Department.
was good omen for the Colorado
, troops. in that we have heard that he
very highly commended all the organic
ations for their work. both as to the
camp and as to drill and vancouver.
can still report that no Delta boy
has yet been in the guardhouse and !
am hoping that this record will con-
tinue during the rest of our time in
the service. As for myself. am feel
ing as we'll as I ever did and have fully