The Dickinson press., 1916-10-07

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Mercedes, Texas, October 1, 1916.
The Press:
Another week of strenuous border
duty drawing to a close, but as Villa
has not paid us visit we do not feel
duty bound to drop across the Rio
Grande for an afternoon call. We are
beginning to feel that we are veter-
ans, as we have now had inspections
without number, parades galore, and
have finished our battalion test with
out having the entire company ruled
out as dead ones. Our great achieve
ment occurred Saturday when our di-
vision was reviewed by Gen.
Frederick Funston at Llano Grande.
We left our camp near Mercedes at
$3.50 in the morning and marched
three and one-haf miles to the large
parade grounds just east of the Llano
Grande camp. We formed on the left
of the line as we are the last regi-
ment in the last brigade, being next
to Nebraska. At 1920 a. m. the
troops began to appear. Line after
line of infantry marched out from the
camp all in step and arms swinging
in unison. It certainly was a great
sight. There were nine regiments of
infantry, commencing on the right
were the regiments from Minnesota,
Indiana, Nebraska and North Dakota.
The artillery, cavalry, hospital ambu-
lances, and wagon trains formed sue
cessively to the left. The machine
gun companies and hospital corps
with each regiment formed in the
rear of their own regiment.
At II the 3-inch guns in the rear
fired the generals salute of Is vol
leys. Then the review commenced.
The general and his staff in automo-
biles passed down the front of divis-
ion, the bands of each regiment play
ing as they were passed. After TAX
ing his position as reviewing officer
the division passed in review in order
of forming. From where we were it
was hard to tell which organization
was making the best appearance. All
the Minnesota regiments seemed to
have good lines, especially the 3rd
Regiment whose large companies
surely did make fine appearance. It
is all a thing of the past aad rumors
are now afoat with everything in
glowing terms for the North Dakota
Regiment. It is said that Col. Block
som, who is in command of brigade
picked the N. D. boys as winners.
And that Gen. Funston while inspect
ing the base hospital at Llano Grande
said that the only troop that he con-
sidered the equal or superior of the
the North Dakota was the End Wis
consin.
Well, they can say whatever they
have mind to, there is still large
chance for our improvement, and if
we are among the best, the worst
must be mighty poor. But on the
other hand we feel that we can hold
our own with the best assembled on
the border.
The Washington Artillery from
New Orleans, La, camped on our
parade grounds last night. They
were on their vcy frcr, their camp
at Donna, nine miles west Of Merce-
dcs, to the artillery range near
Brownsville for target practice. This
artillery is certainly historic organi-
zation. 1t was organized in 1888, and
took part in the Mexican war. It was
made up entirely Of Americans and
bore that name for some time to dis
tinguish it from the French artillery
organization in New Orleans at about
the same time. Later on the name
was changed to Washington in honor
of the first president. This organiza-
tion saw much service during the Civil
war, also the Spanish-American. On
the silver band on the battalion stand
ard are engraved the names of rs
engagements in which the organiza-
ton fought. Major Owens, who was
in command, is the son of the adju-
tant who served in the Civil war with
the artillery. His son is now with
the command as well rs nine other
near relatives. There were three bat
teries in the battalion and formed a
long line while on the march. Their
stay was very interesting and all who
visited them were royalty received
and shown about.
The past week two companies, Com
panies C and E, were ordered to the
Mercedes pumping station and Pro-
gresso respectively, for patrol duty
along the Rio Grande. Companies D
and M are ordered to the Champion
store and Donna pumping station re-
spectively and leave in the morning
for their posts. This leaves the regi-
ment with but two battalions. Drills
and maneuvers by battalions and COM
panies will be carried on as usual.
Robert Gillian is back with us
again and although not strong and
quite thin has gotten over the malaria
and can smile when anyone says
'quinine." By the way the rest of US
are trying to cultivate a taste for
the delicately favored pills by in
dulging in two each evening. Tattoo
has sounded and as lights must be
out I'll HE myself to the land of
peaceful rest whose boundaries are
"taps" and "first CALL"
DEANE WILEY.
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