The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-07-13
SIXTEEN CO. D.
BOYS return
FROM BISMARCK
Several Turned Down Owing to Un-
Observation-Disclosures Tell Interest
ing Camp Life Stories

ing Camp Life Stories
~ i: 3.,.--.-...A .-sA~-~
Sixteen of the members Of Co. D..
who failed to pass the physical exam
ination, mainly because they were un-
derweight, have returned to Minot:
When the guardsmen were mustered
in as regulars on July 1, they were
given a rigid examination. Their
lungs, hearing and sight were tested
and their feet and teeth examined:
Three of the boys who were rejected
were later allowed to re-enlist. Among
those who have returned are Frank
Falvey, Joe Selberg, w. H. Hall and
"Whitey" Calkins.
Mr.. Hall, who is engaged with City
Engineer Thomas, kindly gave the In
dependent an interesting story of his
life in camp at Fort Lincoln. He spoke
highly of the Minot boys in Co. D and
says that while they are little below
standard in drill work, they have the
right kind of fighting stuff in them
and if they ever get into action, they
will give good account of themselves.
The boys who returned home were
very much disappointed as they very
much desired to go to the front.
The Co. D boys who came back were
not mustered out until Saturday noon
after all of the others had been mus
tered out, consequently they had to re-
main in Bismarck until Monday morn
ing. They were provided with tickets
back home.
Although an order went into effect
.oI c1o,,1I ba die
charged, only three from Co. D are in
the lot. They are George Hodge, Paul
White and Mr.. Rochelle. They had to
sign an application for discharge on
the grounds that one or more members
of their family were dependent upon
them for support. They will not be
able to get away for about 60 days
and in the meantime are on their way
south with their company.
Seven of the Co. D boys at first re-
fused to sign the muster list and were
placed in the guard house for two or
three days. They did not understand
the new ruling thoroughly and as soon
as they did so they signed freely.
Mr.. Hall says that Co. D, which is a
part of the third battalion. expected
to entrain for the south Wednesday.
They are among the last to leave.
There has been delay that has prov
en- quite discouraging to the boys.
The camp discipline is very strict.
On the Fourth the regiment was tax
en- into Bismarck in box cars and the
soldiers marched about town. They
were brought back in box cars. That
night many of the boys went to Bis
marck again and spent the evening
marching about the city, singing and
celebrating generally. This was fol-
lowed by an order from the colonel
that no one should leave camp without
a permit. A number who sneaked away
to 90 swimming, etc., did time in the
guard house.
Mr.. Hall talked of the fight which
some of the members Of Co. D are said
to have engaged in with other men,
bers of the regiment. It was the re-
suit of some busybody carrying tales
back and forth, saying that Co. D had
it in for a certain company and that
the company had it in for Company D..
The result was that there were few
black eyes on all sides. Hall says this
will make soldiers of them quicker
than anything.
When the rations arrived for the
Journey south, they were piled up out
side the tents. A rain came up and
the boys had a fierce time getting
them under cover. Some of the stuff
got wet. The boys Clipped in "four
bits" apiece to buy extras for their
trip south.
The soldiers have been under very
strict discipline. This is considered
necessary and the boys believe that
after they have learned their lessons
well, they will be given more re priv
leges. They are called at 500 in the
morning, fall in for roll call, undergo
the setting up examination, police the
grounds and fall in for breakfast.
They eat bacon, spuds, bread and cof-
fee and do not get butter oftener than
once day. They drill from 7:3O till
1920 and dine at IL. They drill again
from 2:30 to 4:30 and eat supper at
6. After supper they are on dress pa
rade or have inspection of arms or
quarters. At $50 they have guard
mount. Co. D boys were on guard two
nights. The regimental band gives a
concert each evening. Taps blow at
1O:3O. The boys do not have much
recreation.
The camp is kept SANITARY. Each
company has corporal and five men
for kitchen police duty, who do not
have to drill the day they are on duty.
They keep the fires burning, rustic
the wood, help cook, etc. One fire is
kept burning all the time. They used
cord wood and railroad ties. Each
soldier washes his own dishes. All
refuse is burned in the camp fire. The
bows wash their own clothes and take
a shower bath once day.
Verne Miller, member of Co. D, is
a professional hypnotist, having ap-
peared in entertainments in Minot. He
gives occasional performances in the
art and says he will try it on the
greasers if he ever gets to them.
George Hodge and "Tub" Carroll are
also good entertainers. None Of the
bovs have been very sick but some