Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-11-21
LONG HIKE IS
TAKEN BY MEN
SERGT. PHIL BlNKS TELLS OF BIG
ARMY MANEUVER TO BE
WORKED OUT.

ceived by a member of The Courier
staff from Sergt. Phil Binks of Co. G
at Brownsville, Tex The officer tells
of long hikes being taken by the
troops and also about a big war man
euver, perhaps the largest of its kind
ever attempted in time of peace, which
is now on and continues for fifteen
days. The letter follows:
Brownsville, Texas,
Nov. II, 1916
Dear Friend
The Iowa Brigade has been a very
busy organization every day the past
two weeks.
One of the largest military reviews
ever held in this part of the country
was staged at Resaca de la Palma.
AS the troops, including both regulars
and militia, passed in review before
the military officials of this division.
There were over fifteen thousand
troops, from every branch of the SER
vice in the parade--requiring over five
hours to pass the reviewing stand.
Someone in the company is a Joy.
killer In the mess hall hangs sign
which was cut from an ad, Round
Trip to Ottumwa Free"
The Iowa Brigade staged dress
parade in honor of the election CON-
misioners. who weer visiting the Iowa
camp recently.
The Iowa Brigade left Camp Vic
toria at sos a. M, Wednesday morn
ing on an assumed military problem.
We were to make the large drainage
ditch which is fourteen miles from
Point Isabel before 2 o'clock. The
brigade arrived at the ditch shortly
after / D. m. and made camp for the
night. We carried the full field equip
ment. the same as If we were in actual
hostile territory. The pup" tents
we're pitched which provided our
shelter for the night.
The cooks had prepared mess for
US before we left Camp Victoria and
Chow" was served shortly after our
arrial at Resaca de la Palma, an old
battlefield of the Mexican war.
After mess WIS over we were busy
making camp ready for the night and
getting the field kitchen ready so we
could have good supper.
Co. G was on guard and We were
required to patrol the camp the same
as 1t would be in actual warfare. 1t
was a hard night for the boys after
a twelve mile march carrying the COM
plete field equipment.
Our hunks were made ready for the
night-the ground with a poncho and
blanket served as our bed.
Wo voro hNSv chnrt1y after the
sound Of reveille at 800 a. M, making
Isabel. fourteen miles away. Mess was
served at 2:30 o'clock.
After mess was over and we were
about ready to pack up Northern.
err" paid us a visit In very few
minutes there was very heavy wind
and torrents Of rain We packed up
and orders were sent out that all the
troops would return to the home sta
ton. A cold wind was blowing and
all of us we're soaking wet before we
started on our twelve mile journey
home Marching was very hard and
in some places the mud and water
reached the top Of our leggins. After
seven hours Of tiresome marching we
reached Camp Victoria. All Of us
were tired and as soon as possible
were busy at bunk fatigue"
The next morning we marched
twelve miles down the river road and
made camp near a large drainage
ditch. AS far as one could see in any
direction the land was nearly level.
The brigade camp, with it's long rows
Of pup" tents. among the thickly
growing buffalo grass was sight long
to be remembered by all Of us.
A number of the boys took hike
about two miles over to some small
lakes. Here we found ducks by the
were so plentiful that
the rest of the fellows would not be.
lieve the story until they visited the
lake themselves.
We answered the call Of revielle
at 500 a. m. AS soon as mess VS.
over we packed up and in short
time were on our way demonstrating
a fifty mile hike in four days.
The following story is from the
Brownsville Herald in which it tells
the story Of the coming army man.
euvers. 1t is said to be one Of the
greatest military problems ever at.
in times Of peace:
1.-THE national guard Of nine states,
besides several regular army organiza-
tons, are to participate, beginning
morning, and to continue
about fifteen days, in what is an
nounced will be the most extensive
army maneuver since the coming OF
the national guard to the Mexican
border, if not in the history Of the
country in times of peace. Twenty
five thousand soldiers, divided in half.
approximately, one to be known as
the Brown army and the other as
the White army, are to be pitted
against each other. The maneuver
comes under the regular course of in
struction being given the national
guard under the direction Of the off,
GERS of militia instruction, and follows
individual regimental and brigade
four.day hikes, and
skirmish warfare 1t was ordered by
Brigadier General James Parker, COM
the Brownsville district
"The invading army, or the