The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-10-31
FLORIDA SOLDIERS
IN A SHAM FIGHT
GIVEN A WHOLESALE. INTRO.
DUCTION TO THE GREAT
WAR GAME
Especial to the Times-Union)

Laredo, Texas, Oct. 29.-Advancing
from the north, while the First New
Hampshire infantry did the same from
the east, the Second Florida infan-
try several days ago went through
the tactics of capturing Laredo, while
the majority of the Mexican inhabi-
tants looked on, wondering what it
was all about. The regiment was di-
vided into companies, and each COM
pany took street, proceeding up
that street through the town simulat-
ing in every respect, with the excep-
ton of searching the houses and do
ing any firing, what would happen if
they were really in earnest. The train
ing proved to be highly interesting, If
bit strenuous, and will be a great
help to the command in the event, it
is ever called upon to capture town
or city. As rule the marching or
passing by of troops does not seem to
interest the natives, but evidently
these maneuvers were something out
of the ordinary for them as they
proved to be very close observers on
this occasion.
Last Sunday there was considerable
grumbling heard in the ranks of the
Florida troops on account of being as
sembled in respective company streets
at 10 o'clock and marched to the base
ball grounds near the Y. M. C. A.,
which is only short distance from
the camp, for what they feared would
be long -winded sermon, but they
were badly mistaken as was proven
Shortly afterwards. Captain Lucien
Spencer, regimental chaplain, opened
the meeting with appropriate prayer,
made few highly interesting re-
marks and then proceeded to read the
legend of the Stars and Stripes, which
proved to be one of the most beauti-
full stories one ever listened to, and
the men felt that they had been more
than well paid for their trouble in
going to hear it.
Conditions remain about the same
at this point, nothing happening of
any Importance to ruff1e the daily
routine of the soldiers life, although
the different commands are ready at
all times for any eventuality and are
not taking any chances on account of
the seeming quietude of every thing.
Y1I
The health and spirits of the soldi-
ers is all that could be asked and
while great many of them must
chafe at being away from their work
back home, very little complaining is
heard, as all realize that complaining
would not get them anything any
way. We have a duty to perform for
Uncle Sam, and if it is necessary for
us to remain in this country several
months to accomplish that duty, we
will stick, and grin and bear it with
as stiff an upper lip as possible, and
not whimper will be heard from the
troops from Florida.
One of the main attractive features
furnished the soldiers at this camp is
free moving pictures, accompanied by
q band concert each evening. The
picture screen is in the open air, and
the space for the soldier audience is
unlimited, and the pictures are very
good considering the fact that they
are free. About this time each month
the only pleasures the ordinary SOL
dier can indulge in are those that are
free for by the time twenty days have
elapsed since his last pay day, usu-
ally the rattle has gone from his
pocket.