The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-08-31
plattsburg Notes Number Two

three musketeers" hot Arthos, Pof-
| thos, D'Artagnan. but Philbriek, ROSS
land Smith left Skowhegan for the
| Military instruction Camp at Platts-
burg. N. Y. 1t seems more IKE
three months. This morning we had
Calisthenics under Capt. koehler oil
the Vest Point faculty. He was at
one time the foremost gymnast OF
the world. There was COMBAT py
battalion staged for this forenoon.
We were each given ten ROUNDS Oh
ammunition. Company X was on
the defensive and took its stand III
grove with twenty rounds Oh
BLANKS" per man. Companies l ana
L were on the defensive win COM
panv VI for reserve. We advanced
by PUSHES That is. we lay low then
rushed. lay low, etc. We hred our
ammunition when we were lying low.
This afternoon the corporals OF the
squads of each platoon took turns
commanding the platoon. ihey
made many mistakes much to the
amusement of the "LoOts' (LleutS)
1t is one of the worst possible
things to drop your gun. If you 90
it in formation, the sergeant takes
down your name and reports 1t to
the lieutenant in charge of the com
panv. After today those who drop
your guns or dsobey rules have to
police the camp and are not to leave
the street for a week. There are
about twelve on the "black list The
work this week is in preparation for
the long hike which will come the
last week of the eneampment Yes
terday Lieut. Purden gave the Cor
porals the Morse International Code.
They in turn gave it TO the squads,
and until four O'Clock the rockies
we're wig-wagglng away in great
shape. Lieut.. Purden has also Civ
en- us a talk on the use of the First
Aid Packet which is carried by every
regular. and one on map reading.
One evening | went to call on Mr..
Cooke He is in charge of the u. ).
Geological Survey party which is
making a military map of about 200
square miles of the country around
Plattsbury
July 27-This morning we took an
other long march as a "hardener' for
the hike In the course of the march
we passed through the city OF
plattsburg There is a fine statue
of De Champlain overlooking the
lake. 1t was erected in 1909 on the
Tercentenary of the discovery of the
lake.
July 28-Today we had another
sham battle. When we came up tG
the front we had to crawl on ouI
stomachs Thus Napoleon's words
no n trnt nT
its stomach" What Napoleon real
ly meant was that an army must
have good rations to give it support
on the march. In the afternoon there
was inspection of guns, tents and
equipment
July 29-This morning we had
close order drill in preparation for
the great event this afternoon the
review of the four training regi-
ments by Major General Leonard
Wood U. S. Army Commander of the
Eastern Department. This after
noon at 215, | was getting ready for
the review when | heard my name
called and TO my great surprise
found it was father | was afraid
he would not come in time to sec me
in camp before the hike We fell in
Mt 800 and marched to the parade
ground in columns of tours and each
company passed the General in dou-
Bile line. Cen Wood was accom-
panied by his aid, Major Dorey and
Colonel Murray. the camp command
er. All were on horseback. There
were over 1000 men in line-the two
student regiments and the two regi-
ments Of business men.
July 30-Sunday. Last night
was surprised when my LIST Sergeant
came into the tent with box OF
candy and note from Aunt L-say-
ing that she and grandmother and
J. were stopping at the hotel. | ran
out and caught them before the auto
left the camp. Today | had dinner
and a fine visit | invited the folks NJ
TO the camp for Retreat | have
found four Washington friends here
including a former teacher. Many
of the fellows and l have discovered
that we have mutual friends. One
of my tent mates and l found that
we had met once before The world
surely is small. | was glad o get
letters from home and the "I-R
yesterday.
July 31-Monday day of the
great hike. We were on the road at
SIS. After march of seven miles
we camped on the Ansable river. II
is quite sight to see a field camp
of four regiments. The greater
part of the camp is dog tents ex-
cept the tents of the officers, the Y
M. c. A. and some others. Camp viii
be broken every day. We each carry
50 lbs. (pack and bayonet Al lbs.
rifle lbs.)
Aug. 1-Reveille 4,45-Body o
troop on march at 7.30. After three
and a half hours march a sham bat
tie was staged. Camp vas made a
1215.
Aug. S-Last day of encampment
Owing to an injury to my foot | was
obliged to leave the hike and have
had the chance of seeing the inside
of the Post Hospital for few days
The troops returned this morning
and had covered 100 miles in thu
course of the 9 day hike. At ont
o'clock | babe farewell to the squaC
and to many other men in the com
pany Now that | have completed
the course of military instruction al
laid down by the authorities a
! Plattsburg, | will say that | thlnl
that every able-bodied man between
| the ages of Is and As, inclusive
should by all means go to a militar,
| f,..f Int, oil w