The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-09-28
THE FIRST BATTLE
Co. G Takes Part in Army Maneuvers
That Resemble Actual Fight
ing Last Monday.
Other Items of Interest From the Dor.
der by "Mike," Our Special
War Correspondent.

the purpose of determining how much
we have learned in the past three
months. Saturday it was in the ma
ture of a hike with full field equipment
including field kitchen and surplus kits
which were carried in the supply wag-
ons. 1t rained continuously during the
march making the mud ankle deep and
extremely slippery. The men carried
a pack of about sixty pounds, but were
all in line, although very tired and
muddy, when they reached camp.
Monday the first battle of this cruel
war was fought and it was bloody
but victorious one, with dead and
wounded strewn all over the field. G
company, however, did not lose man
as they were acting as support and
were under cover during the engage
rnent. If the battle had lasted few
minutes longer none Of us would have
lived to tell the tale as the generals
aide reported artillery Smelling the
left flank of our main body and we
were ordered to engage them until
the machine guns could be brought up.
Just at this time the inspecting officer
decided it was time to quit as it was
nearly supper time, thereby saving our
lives. The officers are so serious
about it, making the men crawl some
times to keep under cover, etc., that
we almost believe we are advancing
into actual battle. It is good training
and gives US an idea what the real
thing would be like.
G company finally struck good
weather for guard duty, a fine moon
light night, so light that one could
read newspaper. Everything passed
off smoothly and all are hoping that
we have as good weather next time.
Two men, who deserted, were cap
tured and brought back last Sunday
and are being held subject to court
martial. The fact that they had sold
their uniforms makes the case more
serious.
We had payday this week and
everybody is happy again. The own
ers of the various stands about camp
even more so than the men, as almost
everybody was out of money and they
can't very we'll do any credit business.
The enlisted men really get more pay
than they take into consideration as
they get their board and clothing al
lowance of thirty-one cents a day,
which is more than is needed, so are
given the balance in cash at the end
of certain periods or when mustered
out. They learn to take care Of their
clothes and to keep them neat and
clean, as an additional three dollars a
month is paid to the neatest and
most soldierly. They are called first
class privates.
The Third Minnesota has, without
doubt, the fastest base ball team in
this district, and it leads the league.
The Fourth Nebraska disputed our
claim. They were taken on and
soundly trounced to the tune Of II to
S. They have fine white uniforms SIM
liar to those worn by the Princeton
team, and bought with the profits of
the regimental canteen. This canteen
is a moneymaker and is run on a
profit sharing basis, each man having
an equal share in the profits.
Wednesday is designated as "stunt''
night at the Y. M. C. A. It is taken
part in by the three Minnesota regi-
ments and one of the bands. There is
naturally some good talent in crowd
of 5000 men. We have magicians and
a hypnotist, and an enjoyable evening
is spent. The Second regiment band
took pity on us last Sunday night and
came over and gave us a concert which
was enjoyed by all.
The scorpions and tarantulas seem
to have been exterminated or are out
of season as we don't see any more
of them, but we have some fine speci-
mems Of mosquitoes with buzz that
when asleep, is sometimes taken for
first call for reveille.
A bevy of lady nurses arrived at
Llano Grande hospital last week and
right away everybody was suddenly
taken sick and wanted to be taken to
the hospital.
Captain johnson has been appointed
horse and mule inspector for the entire
camp, in addition to his other duties
consequently he is a very busy man.
In a manual of arms contest last
week Jack Schmidt and Nels Solberg
were the winners. a..
At target practice Friday ou1
strongest temperance man got one hit