River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-10-11
News Of the Co. D.
Boys at Camp Grant

Wlsconsin's regiment, the 341st, of
which the Pierce and St. Croix boys
are part, is starting out right to
uphold the states honorable record.
The Wisconsin boys were the
first regiment in Camp Grant to
turn out for full regimental parade.
And every man of this regiment
the 341st iufantry-was in uniform,
condition that no other organiza-
ton Of selected men here can boast.
Music was furnished by buglers
chosen from the ranks of the select
ed men a week ago.
Promptly at 7:3O a. m. the leading
company of each battalion marched
down the battalion street, the other
companies falling in at their proper
places. Reaching the drill field, the
battalions in columns were thrown
into three long lines and brought to
attention before Col. C. C. Smith.
To be sure the lines were a trife
more ragged than they will be in
another couple of weeks and there
was some confusion when the re-
cruits went from column into line.
But they got there-and did splen-
didly under the circumstances.
The selected men from this regi-
ment are all from Wisconsin. A
goodly percentage of them are
farmers and laborers and a census
of one company shows it's personnel
to be 80 percent of German extrac-
ton. But all the men are eager to
learn and with six reserve officers
and from three to five non-commls-
stoned officers assigned to each COM
pany as instructors; they are rapidly
picking up the rudiments of their
military education. The schedule
this week called for six hours drill
daily with two hours of class work
and lectures.
Capt. William E. Bell, Of head
quarters company, was appointed
officer of the day. Capt. F. A.
LOOMS has been appointed acting
commander of the First battalion.
Capt. Edwin w. Allen of Company
|, succeeds him as regimental adju-
tant."
Co. D, since the arrival of the
boys last Thursday, now numbers
272 men. New orders demand $50
instead of $50 men per company.
Many Of the men here now will be
transferred to other divisions and,
of course, other units will furnish
infantrymen until each is balanced
to it's proper strength. Clark Brown
of Ellsworth is the first to receive an
assignment to another division, leav-
ing Monday to Join the corps Of vet
erinarians.
Go. c boys were gladdened Friday
by visit from familiar old home
folks" Mayor Condit Of Hudson
dropping in for call in the morn
ing, and Mr.. and Mrs. Tom Halles
of Ellsworth spending the afternoon
watching the drill work and later
visiting the boys at the barracks.
Dick O'Connell's mother, sister
and two brothers drove down from
Hudson and spent Saturday and
Sunday visiting him here. A special
train brought several hundred down
from Madison Sunday, among them
Hon. N. P. Haugen and Secretary
Morley Of the Tax Commission.
These gentlemen visited the Co. D
barracks and "set up" the cigars to
the boys.
We believe that they will agree
that the visit is we'll worth the time
and trip if in the vicinity, and it GER
tainly cheers up the boys to see and
talk with folks from home.
The company has moved to new
barracks on the south side Of camp
but the address remains the same.
Across from Co. DIS new "palace"
is Y. M. C. A. hall. where home
talent" and professional and movie
entertainments are given, and the
opportunity and equipment for cor
respondence is also provided here.
Next door is the company canteen,
where ice cream, pop, toilet articles,
etc., may be purchased. Since the
arrival of the last draft Co. D. occu-
pies two buildings and also includes
in it's registration so boys from Chi
cago.
The writer has been asked about
the weekly INSPECTION" Just now