Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-27
BINKS TELLS
OF CAMP LIFE
FORMER COURIER CORRESPOND
EMIT WRITES MEMBER OF
STAFF ABOUT BROWNSVILLE.

Another breezy letter telling of camp
life among the boys Of CO. q at
Brownsville has been received by
member of the editorial staff of the
Courier. Inspection and maneuVers are
described interestingly in the letter
which follows:
Brownsville, Tex, Oct. 81 1916
Dear Friend:
Saturday morning. and the company
just finished the weekly inspection.
Every Saturday we are required 10
stand an inspection of equipment and
personal clothing. Everything must be
in good condition and clean.
On Wednesday we made a forced
march of four miles in fifty-tive min
utes and ten seconds. with the complete
field equipment. The field equipment
will weigh close to sixty pounds. we
We're considered by the umpires to be In
good condition at the end OF the
march. The officers made an Inspection
Of our equipment to make sure we
were fully equipped and ready for pat,
tie. After the inspection we deployed
into a line of skirmishers and worked
out military problem. In the after
noon we were inspected in squad drills,
field message work and first aid. our
company received good marking on
the days work.
One Of the largest military maneuvers
ever attempted in the Rio Grande valley
was worked out on Thursday morning
The National Guard declared war on
the regulars and fought a great pattie
on the historic battlefield of Resoca az
la Palma. There were close to 1S,ooo
soldiers in the battle including both
regulars and guardsmen stationed along
the border The battle" lasted about
six hours-we ate dinner near the fir
ing line during lull Of the great ma
neuvers. We returned to camp ABOUT
1870 o'clock tired and hungry, but
happy. 1t was the end Of two days ahrd
work.
A windstorm from the gulf visited
camp on Thursday evening. 1t did not
damage anything in camp, but le1t
mighty cool weather with us. the
thermometer dropped to 53-this Is
considered pretty cool weather for
Texas.
Corp. Harry Blizzard is known as
Oswald
Sergt. Fielder is reported to have
fought in number of battles, In his
sleep.
Prvates woodrow, Hudson, Hudgens,
Kelly and Houdyshell are going to try
out for the regimental football team.
Ihere Is an unlimited amount VI 1io
terial to pick team from and this
regiment should have an excellent team.
A large number of the men are high
school and college students and have
already had some very good experience.
Early this morning Private Dlai,
thinking it time for reveille. awakened
Corp. Gillen who in turn woke the rest
of the squad The entire squad dressed
in double time, put on their equipment
and very soon we're on line for roll call,
but no one to call the roll 1t was just
four thirty--the squad members claim
it was dirty trick. We agree with
them. for we are sure having fine
nights to sleep.
The New York cavalry passed
through Brownsville about o'clock this
afternoon enroute to Point Isabel They
will make camp on the Virginia drill
grounds this afternoon and camp here
for one week. A number Of the state
troops have visited the point and re-
port a grand time.
Sergeants McMaster and Johnson sing
a little camp song which can't be beat
the top sergeant and the big one are
always happy.
Private Tragord proved his ability as
a baker the other day by the dough-
nuts we had for dinner. They sure
tasted like more.
Will close for this time.
''Adios"
Sergt. Phil Binks.