The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1916-08-30
Enoineers at Work.

as the Johnson Engineers, under capt.
Peniell, is encamped close by the field
hospital corps and also just behind the
Dragons. The engineers are going
through drills and other training every
day and are showing up well. The
men and officers, like all the other
South Carolinians, are determined to
make the best use Of this opportunity
to get first hand acquaintance with
actual field conditions and are i'm
proving every minute Of their time.
The engineers expect to draw new
equipment Shortly but in the mean
time have got right down to hard work.
Col. H. B. Springs Of the Second
has received instructions to detail one
officer and two non-comm1ssloned OIL
ficers to take four months training al
the school Of musketry at Fort SILL
Okla. The selections will be made
from among the men who expect to
continue In the National Guard and
who will be expert instructors for the
militia after they return home.
Several persons in South Carolina
have evidenced a desire to supply the
soldiers witA reading matter, writing
material and other things which Will
be Of use to them here. Sun glasses
are needed by the men and anything
like magazines, newspapers, etc.,
would be Of great benefit and 1oulo
be very much appreciated.
The Smyth Rifles Of Pelzer have
built around their spigot in the com
pany street a cavity four feet deep
and four feet square and filled this
in with rock. The water seeps away
through this and this prevents 1t from
running over the ground and leaving
little mud puddles This arrange
ment has been designated by Col
Blythe as a model for the regiment
and all the companies are now liking
theirs in the same manner.
Lieut.. John E. Ardery Of the Twelfth
infantry. which is stationed at Nogales.
Arizona, on the border, was VISITOR
In camp and ate dinner with the Fort
Mill company under Capt. Parks.
Lieut.. Ardery was born at Pineville
lust across the line in North Carolna,
but is really a South Carolinian except
for that slight geographical difference
He was greeted by many of his friends
who are members of the First South
Carolina infantry.
The band Of the First would like
to have some new band music and
any one who feels interested might
send them some, but don't forget the
orchestrations in selecting the M SIC.
The bands Of the First and >cono
are constantly improving an those
who are interested might mail them
Just such pieces as they think Woulo
fit the occasion.
The officers Of the Second have
formed a club where magazines and
other periodicals. writing materials
and other convenierces can be founo
The officers will use the club for a
loungins place. The officers OF the
First have been invited to make use
Of the club whenever it suits their
pleasure.
A Diamond Rather.
lust to the left Of the camp lies
range of hills which are called noun
tains in this country. This chain OF
hills lies diagonally to the Mexican
border. They are bare of vegetation
except for sage brush and cactus N
the ravines. Some of the South Caro-
rnians have already climbed to the top
Of this range of hills which are about
eight miles from camp. 1t is IN these
hills that rattlesnaEes and the other
renti1es reside. On Sunday First Ser
geant Hughes of the Smyth Rifles Oh
Pelzer climbed the hills and brought
back into camp diamond Mexican
rattler. This snake is about Is inches
long and the one he captured had a
button and two rattles, indicating that
il was four years old. No snakes have
vet been seen in camp but there are
plenty of horned toads, centipeds and
ants. The bother from this source
however, is Insignificant so far ano
nothing like what one would expec'
from the stories heard before coming
here.
Carranza is nominally the ruler OF
Mexico. but there seems to be con-
siderable doubt as to just how much
authority he has. He seems to be
the leader by virtue Of the favor OF
his generals, but there is strong doubt
as to his ability to control his gen
erals. They obey him when they
want to, and when they do not they
pay not attention to him. The idea
here now seems to be that Carranza
is finding his position shaky and that
before long some other leader will
arise and depose him and d:-2-t the
leaking Mexican ship Of state for a
brief and stormy period, for that is
the record Of them all for the past sew,
eral years.
The men Of the First are being
equipped thoroughly with clothing
Every man is drawing two hats, two
pairs of shoes, two pairs Of leggins'
two shirts, four pairs of trousers, four
suits of underwear and six pairs OF
socks.
Lieut.. Col. P. K. McCully of the
First "bagged" horned toad and ship
ped it to his home folks in Anderson
Capt. Hayward OF the Pelzer company
has also sent ore Of these home for
pet. They are plentiful about the
camp
It is no wonder that there are all
kinds OF wild rumors Matching along
the border. All kinds Of people and
all classes and conditions can be seen
and every one has something to say
OF course there IS lot Of "stringing'
done for the benefit Of those who
have come long way from the bor'
der and who know nothing OF It eI