Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-07-18

San Antonio, Texas-Pitching their
tents in a foot of sticky mud, mem
bers of Troop A and Battery A, Wis
consin troops, worked hard on arrival
here. The troops arrived here at the
beginning of the rainy season, and the
camp is a field of mud and water.
The cooks have been flooded out, and
rations have been served in the tents,
and the men have been forced TO cook
their own coffee over small fires in
their quarters.
The Wisconsin troops are encamped
in the middle of vast prairie that
stretches in a straight fiat sea OF
green and brown until it seems to
merge with the sky at the horizon. 1t
is so vast that the regiment is lost
on it.
Long Stay Is Predicted.
The fact that Wisconsin and other
troops are being put into first class
condition, capable of coping with real
hardships of war, is taken to indi-
cate long stay in the south by those
encamped here.
Army officers believe both sides are
sparring 70 rhine and predict the Bad
gers will see service before the year
is over. Army sanitary officers make
regular visits to the camp every day
and are enforcing strict sanitary rules.
Members of Troop A are having
busy time breaking horses. The ami
mails have broncho blood and many
men were tossed into the mud. None
of the men were badly hurt, although
the task proved dangerous on several
occasions.
Wisconsin troops are fully equipped,
except for horses, and present a
striking contrast to the regiments of
some of the other states. Other con-
tingents here are sadly lacking in ac-
coutrements. Some of them are with
out uniforms or guns, and in one or
two camps, two men have to eat from
one plate, so short are they on nee
essaries of camp life The Badger
troops have made a splendid showing
with their guns and uniforms, and pre-
sent better appearance than almost
any other guard now encamped here.
Orders were issued to equip the
troop and battery with olive drab cot
ton suits similar to those used by the
regulars near the Mexican line. The
new wearing apparel includes lighter
coats, pants, underwear and socks.
Personal clothing must be disposed Of
Society Women Serve Feast.
Society women of San Antonio gave
the Wisconsin soldiers cheering re-
ception. They served the boys with
fruit, ice cream and cold drinks, which
the recipients found refreshing after
their regular daily rations.
Steel motor cars are doing the work
of horses here. They haul the heavy
cannon, carry the men and haul the
water for the troops. There are
about 10000 men in the camp here
at present. Many have already gone
to do patrol duty on the border.
When the train pulled into the sta
ton at Ennis, Tex, three Mexicans
were found in the blind baggage car.
They were Immediately elected.
Camp Is Active.
The camp is a scene of great activity
and it is thought that the troops may
be called upon to leave within the
next few weeks for border duty.
The Wisconsin troops have received
high praise from many officers who
| assert that they are the finest guards
men at the border. The natives of
many of the towns throughout which
the trains passed mistook them for
regulars. The wonderful spirit of
Wisconsin pride in the Badgers has
stimulated the men to great efforts.
When the troops arrived here the
train was run into an outlying station,
where the troops had breakfast. 1t
was then taken to the army post, a
few miles beyond the city, where Cap
tains Westphal and Penner reprted to
the commanding officer. They were
directed to the site chosen for them
and all were soon busy unloading
equipment and pitching tents in a
pouring rain. Not one serious acct
dent or case of sickness marred the
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