Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-13
FIRST FIELD WORK
BYD. c. M|L|T|AMEN
Already Tanned by Four Days
Exposure to Intense Sun
at Bisbee, Ariz.
THEIR ZEAL AND APTNESS
COMMENDED BY REGULARS
No Sickness in Camp, Despite Con,
tinued Rain-Colored Battalion
Busy Drilling.
BY j. CROSBY MCCARTHY.
STAFF Correspondent Of The Star.

| STAFF Correspondent Of The Star.
| BISBEE, Ariz., July I3.-Al-
ready tanned by four days ex-
posure to the intense sun that
shines here, even in the rainy sea-
son, land-broke after their week
aboard swaying train, and some
what acclimated = the District
Signal and Field Hospital Corps
were called out for their first
actual field work here today.
They are using horses of the
22d Infantry (regulars), who are
occupying the same camp-site.
and are getting new experience
for them in drilling across dry
as-powdet sandy plain and doing
signal service in the highly rari-
fed atmospheric an altitude of
$500 feet. Capt. Oliver c. Terry.
commanding the Signal Corps,
with Lieuts. George M. Lands
and Russell M. MacLennan, is
putting the Signal Corps through
some pretty stiff practice, that
they may become hardened to this
climate as soon as possible, that
their sight" may become accus-
toned to the glarins md binding
sand sweeps-for they are to be
whipped into shape ready for i'm
mediate service, if necessary.
Hospital Men Busy Drilling.
Maj. Charles H. Bowker, commanding
the Field Hospital Corps, has his outfit
hard at work on stretcher drills, en-
durance test marches, and when they
come back wearied to their tents they
are given class work on the peculiar
physical wear of this country on the
men and how to combat it's weakening
influences
Already the zeal and aptness Of the
District contingent has won the com
mendation of the regulars in camp. The
volunteer militia and the men of the
regular service are fraternizing hap
PLY, and the citizen soldiers are learn
ing many valuable tricks Of camp life
and makeshifts of border duty from
the regulars.
There has been continuous rain since
the District troops made camp Sunday
evening, and their first onerous duties
were to ht themselves out with box
tents as safeguard against the storm.
The officers in charge are making all
arrangements for prolonged stay here
and there is every indication that this
camp Is to be semi-permanent.
Destination Of Third Unknown.
The fact that the ood Infantry (reg-
ulars) is making permanent camp here
is taken by many an indication that
| the Sd Regiment of Infantry from the
District militia is not going to be sent
here. Others argue that this is con-
| sidered by the War Department Off
cials to be one Of their most strategic
| locations. and that preparations are
being made for establishing a strong
guard here both of regulars and the
| District militia. The very fact of sta
! tioning the LIST Separate battalion (coi-
ored) ct Naco. the pumping station for
! the Bisbee and Warren wate. supply
and the nearest point on this side OF
the border to lie valuable and ex-
tenstTe Cana.ea mining interests, is
| taken as supporting this theory. Still
| others intimate that as more recent
| adVices from Mexico show that villa
apparently is bent on further border
| raids In the Big Bend area of Texas,
following is censorship program the
War Department may be allowing the
impression to prevail that the Sd Regi-
! ment IS going to Bisbee, and that they
will instead, be sent toward Boquillas.
| Despite the continued rain there has
been absolutely no sickness IN camp.
| Even slight cases of indfsposition due
| to the heat, change in water and the
| rarified atmosphere have been sur
prsingiy few. This has encouraged the
officers very much, as 1: was expected
that, especially after taking the inocu-
| iations, large number of the soldiers
would be sick as soon as they reach
ed the camp.
Scenery and Mines New to Men.
| The scenery here and the mining ac-
tiyities that are the big business of
this territory are new to most of the
men. They are greatly Interested, and
/
mines as they can. The mine blasts
gave the troopers something of scare
| at first, as they sounded like a hostile
attack with Big Berthas." but they
are getting used to it now, and really
enjoy the warlike tone it gives their
/ camp.
| The 1st Separate Battalion, at Naco
F. has been doing daily drill work ever
since it arrived. Maj. James E. Wal
| ker Is determined his men shall be
ready for any service they may be
called upon to perform. They must be
ready to live up to their reputation
They must be ready for duty, without
excuses" he said The soIdierly eff
cheney of the colored battalion has
been impressed upon the regulars
many of whom visited the Naco camp.
i Those boys will give good account of
/ themselves II. they are sent over the
| border to Cananea, officers of the 22d
j regulars have remarked.
! The general feeling in Bisbee and
| Warren Is of security. A border raid
| is not feared. for this locality has
never suffered from such raids The.
| belief Is that force eventually will
have to be sent from here to protect
i ard probably to fight for the Greene
4 Cananea mines, thirty miles over the
border, whfe large American property
Irights audSttyes may bs At steke.
~