The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-08-10


Banner, the flag was taken down. and
the regiment stood at attention n
the evening We listened 10 fine ad-
dresses by Major Murray, tie camp
commander, and Capt. DOrey [. :.
Army, aid-de-camp 10 Gen. Leonard
Wood
July We turned out at the call Of
the "reyelle" at 545. After mess,
We marched to one Of the post build
ings and underwent physical eXaml-
nation. | passed After dinner We
marched to the drill field and made
our first acquaintance with the [. S.
Army rifle Springfield 80. In the
evening the camp surgeon, MAJ De
witt gave US an excellent talk.
July Exceedingly hot this morn
ing. one fellow fell over at setting
up exercises but was soon o K again.
We drilled from 30 to Ito. Our
hat bands were sopping wet. After
mess We had a fine talk on keeping
ones self fit. After leaving camp
there Was an evening conference.
Here I will say that the squad where
| am is fine bunch. The "quips
and cranks' which are gotten off are
great stuff. Whenever II Company
just below US, is lined up. We hear
LIST Sergeant Archibald Roosevelt rout
out the dollyers with "Shake-a-leg
there. Shake-a-leg there" That is
New York slang for hurry up.
July 8, Sunday. We did no work
at all and took it easy all day. 1t
gave Us good rest The first Job
of the typhoid prophylactic was
given. a good number from our
company took it. Our tent is in the
form OF a pyramid with an opening at
the top which can be closed in rainy
weather The eight cots are arrang-
ed along the sides of the tent which
We have open at the bottom. Our
regiment is encamped in a fine grove
on the shore of Lake Champlain. Our
tent is fixed up in swell style. We
have clothes rack and a gun rack
made of boards and a mirror and a
Big Ben fastened to the tent pole
One day a stray cat came into our
company. He has been adopted by
the sergeants and sleeps in their tent
nights. He has been christened leo"
for Company !. | am in the best of
health and working hard.
July - Wednesday-W were
turned out 5:15, half hour earlier
today for the 4th Reg, was going on
the rifle range Monday and Tues
day we had had gallery practice.
While we were on the way to the
range. we could hear the shooting. 1t
gave one an idea in small way what
a battle is really like My first i'm
preston Of being ON the firing line
was very much of a thrill In the
afternoon while | was cleaning my
rifle, l saw Capt Dorey and a few
yards away the General Ieonard
Wood. | stood at attention and sa-
luted. He has a limp. Some fell
low "a rookie" after the General had
passed said that the general had a
wooden leg. Some fun! After
night mess, the General gave a fine
address on Preparedness. He was
applauded by all very heartily.
July 17-Monday-We have had
four days on the rifle range. Today
after mess we marched passed Cliff
Haven and the Hotel de Chaplain to
a field some distance from the camp,
and here we went through much close
and extended order work, also some
firing and aiming drill. On the way
back to camp we passed many autos
filled with bevys of smiling girls who
waved their hands at the khaki-clad
"rookie dough-boys". In the after
noon We did double time" retreating
and advancing. 1t was fierce with
your shooting iron hitting on your
rather sore shoulder. When We got
back all made a rush for the show
ers and the lake. 1t was quite some
sight! A fine work out we had this
afternoon.
p. S.-Please send as soon as pos
sible my sneakers. j. knows where
they are. Also please send big box
of homemade fudge.
July 1S-Today after manouyering
on the parade ground, we had some
practice in putting up shelter tents.
1t WAS very hot again this morning
and as a result one of my squad
members had "a touch of sun as
kipling says in his Danny Deeyer.
By evening he felt better. This af-
ternoon the company went across the
United States Avenue which runs past
the whole Army and Government Res
eryation to an open space where the
Engineer Corp of the Army have their
exhibition of work. We were shown
about map making bridges. fences,
and various kinds of explosives. Then
We werc taken 10 another part of the
field where We were shown all the
steps in the preparation Of trench
from the sCoopod out one which the
soldier under fire digs with loop
holes and communication trenches
Engaging back OF it, After mess
there was company conference in
the street. These conferences
which come almost every evening
consist of either talks on tractics,
discussions of company affairs, or
hints 10 rockies which | for one
care for very much. One night
Capt Dorey told Us many things about
American military history that are
not in the patrStic school histories.
He told us among other things that
we never could have defeated the
English in the Revolution had il not
been for the aid which France gave
us: that the Battle of New Orleans.
our only victory on land in the War
of 1872 was fought after signing the
treaty of peace. and that M The be
ginning of the Civil War the opposing
sides were two armed mobs but In
1SG5 they were among the best fight
ers in the world II was very good
address and full of matter to digest
Sunday Concert