Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-09-27
HEAVY TROOP MOVEMENT
WISCONSIN SOLDIERS STAND
THE TRAMP BEST
Largest Body of Troops Since Civil
War-First- Hand News Con-
corning Hike
ON TRAMP IN TEXAS. Sc

N)N TRAMP IN TEXAS, Sept. Il.
FRIEND MUNsoN:-We are out on
the sixth day of the big hike, which,
as most people know, is supposed 10 be
one ofthe most pretentious movements
of troops in time of peace, ever at
tempted in this country. Something
of the magnitude of our expedition
may be realized from the following
hgures: There are about $4,000 men,
5000 horses and mules, 200 auto trucks,
automobiles and motor cycles. The
plan is carried out as though we were
going into strange country and the
supplies are carried from enc base.
Each man carries his full eQuiptdcut.
consisting of poncho, half tent. blank
ct, with all the extras, such as tent
poles, stakes and ropes, all his extra
clothing for a two weeks trip. toilet
articles and two days rations, carried
in reserve. The weight of this pack
varies from 40 to so pounds. The reg
ular infantry men carry rifles which
weigh about IL pounds, others carry
automatic revolvers and all men car
ry one canteen for water, first aid
package and belt for extra ammunition.
On the arrival in any camp tents are
pitched, meals cooked and each COM
pauy has to make themselves as COM
Portable as possible. Where oppor-
tunity affords all go in bathing and
the care of the feet is the most i'm
portant thing. Ten minutes after the
first arrival in camp, telephone con-
nection is established and each diyis-
ion is hooked up as fast as they ar
rive. Thirty minutes after the ar
rival of the head division wireless
connection is established with the
main base. Itrequired about 100 acres
OF land to take care of the entire camp
and troops or wagon trains are NOV
ing all day long.
Water supply is the greatest pro-
blem and the main supply is carried
in large tanks from San Antonio by
the railroad. Some of the boys have
estimated the amount used and state
the amount we use in day is about
equal TO the quantity used ia Viroqua
IL days. Some nights after the long
est marches they are watering the
horses until midnight. This is when
they have to use one or two places or
can get only few animals up ateach
trough. One night our baggage was
late, owing to the billy condition of
the country and we had nothing to
eat, OF the regular issue, until IL
o'clock at night. That was / case of
where the emergency rations came in
handy. We generally have hot cho-
colate inside of 30 minutes after our
arrival Larry Showan, our cook, rides
on one of the head wagons, and is usu-
ally on the job marking our camp
quarters when we arrive. Col. Rich
ards, Capt Atkinson and Lieut.. Ar
mold eat with our mess and we usual
~ have some visitors
Health of The boys is good and we
are all standing the marches very
well. There are few cases of blis-
tered feet bpa tho packs don't bother
much.
General FuGStou stated his opinion,
as 10 our performance during the first
two days march, distance of about
~ miles, as being nearly perfect. ana
had never been surpassed by any
troOps In this country. Not one man
fell out on this particular march. To-
day was very hot and there were elev-
en- from the three Wisconsin regi-
ments who dropped out Not mention
ing any names, but the nearest APP
prorch to this from any other state
troops was 50, aud some even higher.
VIII be able to give more infoema-
tion about the bike later. of course
there are lots OF places where the boys
can buy luxuries and we are reminded
of old Wisconsin by the Kissel ears
we meet, also the Stoughton farm wa
CONS and Lacrosse plows noticed along
the route. We purchased some con-
densed milk and found the mark of
the Richland Cener condensory on
the can. Another nice feature at the
Center Hotel in San Antonio, the
proprietor is a Wisconsin man and has
placed one of his best suite of rooms
at the disposal of all the boys who care
to avail themselves Of the privilege.
The rooms are always full of boys
reading, writing home, shaving, maxi
ing their toilet etc b.