Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-29
News From Camp

{ II
sending, were received today by The
Courier from one OF its employees who
is correspondent for the paper In the
state mobilization camp at Des Moines
Corporal Philip Binks writes the fol-
lowing on the doings at the camp Sun
day and Monday mornings
Camp Dodge, Des Moines, June &C.
After Company g had departed from
Ottumwa for the mobilization camp
Sunday morning there were many sad
hearts. The boys seemed TO realize
then that they were not leaving for
the regular state encampment which Is
held every year but for a mobilization
camp and probable service on the Dor
der. They all consider their duty and
are willing to serve their country.
AS the train passed through the
small stations along the line many
people had gathered at the depots to
see the soldier boys. When we arrived
at Abba the Centerville company en-
trained. Co. G arrived in Des Moines
at u:35, a. m. and was forced to wait
there until the arrival of the other
companies of the Third Iowa regiment
1t was 4:40 o'clock that afternoon be-
fore the arrival Of the troop train At
Camp Dodge.
Immediately upon the arrival OF. the
company camp was made and the vari.
Gus details were assigned. There YVES
q great deal Of work to be done, the
company having reported with all the
property issued to them by either the
state or the United States govern
ment.
Thousands Of people gathered at
Camp Dodge Sunday to watch the ar.
rival Of the troop train. There was
much enthusiasm as the different COM
panies detratned and everyone seemed
to be greatly interested in the boys
and their making Of camp. Many had
travelled overland and the interurban
trains carried extra cars.
There are three commissioned ON
GERS, six sergeants. six corporals and
seventy-seven privates in Co. G. Near.
lysall the companies reported with
eighty men and one had IA men. 1t
was late when mess was sounded In
q street and after supper the boys
spent most of their time writing back
home. 1t wasn't long then before they
retired to their home and then to the
straw filed bedsacks. Taps sounded
and ended the first day at the mobili-
zation camp. ar
Monday In Camp.
The second day at Camp Dodge was
spent in federalizing Of the organized
militia Of Iowa, Go. G. was mustered in.
the federal service this afternoon.
This oath makes the guard eligible for
service any place or against domes.
tic Or fOraioa ononov ay sa4E
Co. l. of the First Iowa infantry from
Keokuk, this morning refused to take
the new oath required of glardsmen
entering federal service.
The men refused, they said because,
Clarence E. Powell, their captain, had
been reduced in favor of Frank LIE Bar.
on, former captain. The entire COM.
pany refused to take the oath unless
their captain was placed in command.
Later in the day 1t was learned that
Captain Powell would be appointed to
the reglmental staff and the former
captain, Frankie Bron placed in
charge of the company. After that
fifty-nine men took the federal oath.
This morning Co. G was divided In
two platoons, the old men in one and
the rockies making up the second. The
new men are showing rapid progress
in the close and extended order drille.
The discipline of the camp is very
strict and the men must make good
showing before new movement Is
taken up. The recruits are showing,
much interest in the military drills
and appear to have the making of good
men in short time.
The muster of the First regiment
was completed tonight, including the
medical examination OF the men The
regiment will be ready to entrain for
service on the border Tuesday. The
present indications are that the regi-
ment will be ordered to the front i'm.
mediately. because OF the great need Of
troops. The Second and Third will fol,