Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-03-18

Virginia Military Institution.
Any additional information relative
to the camps as we'll as application
blanks may be obtained from the
District Office of the
Military Training Camps Association,
1873 S. Fourth Street.
Philadelphia, Pa,
or from the
officer in Charge,
Military Training Camp,
Governors Island, n. Y.
\ Stimulus and a Benefit
Plattsburg is located in New York
State on the shore of Lake Cham
plain, adjoining the military reserva-
ton of the Plattsburg barracks. now
garrisoned by the Thirtieth Infantry.
1t is impossible to go into the details
OF the workings of the camp, but a
few extracts from the diary of one
who attended the camp last summer
| VIII give pretty clear idea of the ma
| ture of the work, and the splendid
training received. A stimulus to ener-
getic effort is offered by the possibility
OF recommendation as officers which
is given at the end of the camp. These
recommendations are based on the
qualities of leadership shown by the
! individual during the month. The
records are kept by the captain of
each company and proud indeed are
/ the few who receive recommendations
| for captaincies of volunteer troops in
/ time of war.
Diary of Month at PIattsburg
Monday-July 3:
First day of camp. Received
equipment including mess kit two
pairs of breeches, two campaign
shirts. one hat plus hat cord, one pair
of leggings, one dress blouse, gun bay
onet, poncho, four blankets, cartridge
belt, marching kit, pup" tent.
Rose at 5:45 in a hurry in response
TO bugle call. Entire morning u
tumble of drills and running around
with gun on shoulder. Sewed buttons
on shirt and dug trench around tent
to catch rain. Star Spangled Banner
at retreat sent thrills up and down
spine. Springfield rifle fascinates.
Wednesday-July Z:
Had first instruction in extended
drill work. Practiced skirmish for
nations dashing madly across open
hilly spaces and then falling fiat in
mud to shoot at enemy. Took an
hour off after mess to clean gun.
Weather clear but rain tonight First
number of camp paper appeared to-
day and baseball team was organized
Lost needle in trying to sew button
on shirt and gave up in disgust.
Thursday--July S:
Rained all night and all day giving
us opportunity to hear lecture on
Hygiene" by camp doctor. Were
drilled in stacking guns.
Saturday-July 10:
Simple fool next TO ME insists on
calling skirmish "scrimmage." Aired
the tents to-day by pulling up all the
ropes and assembling around center
pole. Had battalion review before
the commanding officer. Put on clean
clothes and drilled for two hours. Had
a good swim. Guard mount was
started and entire camp is now being
patrolled every night. Forty men
coming in late stirred up row with
the sentrys and woke up the whole
camp.
Sunday-July Il:
Day of rest.
Monday-July 12:
Outline of work for the week in
cludes maneuvers on battle field and
patrol work: extended order drill will
be taught this week. Company G.
went on the rifle range. Had skirmish
work for the first time with fixed
bayonets Worn out with marching.
Several were badly cut with bayonets
Took up map sketching in the after
noon.
Tuesday-July 13:
Loaded packs and cartridge belts
on backs and hiled three miles to
place of ambush where we were in
structed in patrol and advance guard
duty, putting both into practice. Had
regular action in mimic warfare.
Most of us drank too much water
after marching and had cramps.
Spent the afternoon receiving instruc-
tions in first aid.
WedOnS1aN- 4.
To-day it was rear guard formation
and We We're compelled to cover our
rear from ali imaginary hostile force
III large numbers. Marched back to
camp with blisters on heels singing
"Tipperary.'
Thursday-July 10:
One of the interesting events of the
day was witnessed a machine gun
in action. Took an evening off and
nad regular dinner at the hotel.
Friday-July 16:
Was. promoted to corporal. Had
inspection in the afternoon. Was
inoculated for typhoid Ten million
germs were shot into arm.
Monday-July 10:
Week of work on the rifle range. |
Lots of leisure time sitting around
and getting hay fever in the field |
waiting our turn to shoot Learned
a lot about the use of u gun. Figured |
up that in the process of the rifle !
range work during the course of the .
week the camp will have expended 4
for blanks and bullets approximately /
$4,000 of the governments money.
Tuesday-July 20:
Acted as officer in charge of quar-
ters for the day, being excused from .
all formations. Entire week busy as
usual. full of hard work, but a won
derful appetite. plenty of food and .
sleep compensated.
Monday-July 26:
Had first experience in the rife
butts, the bullets whizZing over head
and occasionally ricocheting spade
fuls of dirt down the back of my neck
Mighty interesting work scoring up
shots and misses.
Tuesday-July %:
Spent a joyful morning digging |