The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-08
ARMY IS READY
FOR The WINTER
Pershing's Men Build 'Dobe Huts
in Camps of Punitive Expe-
dition.
TENTED CITIES DISAPPEAR
Soldiers Make Preparations for Living
In Warmth and Comfort During
the Winter Notwithstanding
Prefers a Tent.

Field Headquarters Punitive Expe-
dition, Mexico.-Preparatio for liv-
ing in warmth and comfort during the
winter months are in full swing in all
the camps of the punitive expedition,
from the border to Ell Vale.
The tented cities of the summer
months are disappearing and in their
stead are rising little villages of mud
huts. Already the offices of division
headquarters have been transferred
from big tents to long row of adobe
dwellings. Each office boasts fire.
place.
Whole regiments are already living
in mud houses. For weeks the enlist
ed men in all branches of the service
have been making 'dobe brick and
erecting little huts. Comfortable one
room residences" are being built by
the officers. Crude fireplaces are part
of every dwelling. Cold winter nights
will hold no terrors when the homes
are finished.
Bathing has been done in the open
air. under improvised showers, with
wooden barrels as overhead tanks.
Now, adobe lighthouses are being
built, with big CRATES where huge tubs
Of water can be heated.
Gather Around campfires.
Campfires are beginning to gleam for
the first time since last spring when
the troops crossed the border. The
nightly gathering of officers around the
fires in front of regimental headquar-.
ters has begun again. while huge bon
fires attract troopers and infantrymen
In different portions of the camp.
Winter clothing has not yet been is
sued to the troops. except overcoats.
However, each newly arriving truck
train brings the heavy underwear and
outer garments worn by American SOL
diers In cold weather. In short time
the 10000 men of General Pershings
column will be completely fitted out for
the winter months.
Big shipments of Sibley stoves are
expected soon, so there will be no lack
Of warmth in the houses occupied by
men and officers.
This camp is situated at an elevation
of about 5000 feet. and the Ell Vale
encampment is nearly thousand feet
higher. No snow has fallen yet. but
the nights are becoming cold. The
days are nearly always warm.
First Winter In Field.
A number of the regiments in Mex
fco, infantry and cavalry alike, are
spending their first winter in the field
In many years. Many officers are
watching closely to see how their men
endure the rigors of this new expert
ence.
In most cases Mexican workmen are
being employed by the officers to build
their dwellings. Houses for the en-
listed men have been constructed al
most entirely by themselves. Material
such as roof f-timbers, corrugated sheets
and tar-paper for roofs and glass for
windows is purchased at the quarter
masters depot here.
No provision has been made yet for
sheltering the thousands of horses and
mules in service here. but 1t is reported
that plans for this are in the making.
Unlike most of his officers, General
Pershing prefers tent as dwelling
place. whether 1t be summer or winter.
He has said there will be bungalow"
built for him this winter. A small oil
stove takes the chill of the canvas
home. where he transacts most of his
business.
When the expedition is withdrawn, a
complete village will be left behind,
ready for the occupancy of any natives
who wander this way looking for a
home.