The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-21

The Corps of Engineers of the Army
since April has not only been sup
plying the engineering equipment for
an army of a million men, but has
undertaken the unprecedented task
of furnishing railroads complete from
the United States for operation in
France
The engineers construct the free ar
teries through which flow great arm
les. reinforcements, supplies and am
munition to the extremities Of the
lines.
From March / to November 1 the
corps Of engineers increased it's per-
sonnel from 256 officers on the active
list to 394 officers and IA retired off,
GERS on active duty and in addition
has commissioned more than 5000 re-
serve officers The enlisted force has
expanded from 2,10O to $4,000, and
there has also been a heavy increase
In civilian employees.
In addition, nine railroad regiments
and one forestry regiment have been
raised as part of the National Army.
Seventeen pioneer regiments have
been authorized as part of the Nat
lonal Army and are rapidly organizing
National Guard units equivalent to
| oo,
ed into the federal service, and their
reorganization into II pioneer engi-
neer regiments for the II divisions of
National Guard troops is well under
way.
Engineer officers training camps
were established in each of the 16
training camp areas. the number Of
candidates for engineer commissions
taken from each camp being $50. At
ter months training in the same
camps with candidates for commits
sions I'm other branches Of the SER
vice the engineer sections were
transferred to three engineer training
camps with special facilities for
technical instruction. one in the vi
cinity Of Washington. one at Fort
Leavenworth. Kans.. and one at Van
couver Barracks. Wash. Instruction
was continued there for two months
In August, 1900 candidates were
graduated and are now holding COM
missions.
Large numbers of engineer grad
yates of training camps have been
assigned TO new regiments and special
units are being organized and the
training of enlisted men in the Nat
ional Army will be largely under
thelr supervision. A number are in
france for special training.
On December l about 1900 enyi-
neer reserve officers will be gradual
ed from second engineer officers
training camp.
A duty imposed upon the engineers
mas been the purchase of the neces-
sary engineer equipment for more
than 100000 men, The urgent def
ciencies act approved June 10, 1917,
appropriated for the purpose amounts
asgregating in excess Of $3.50, 900, 900,
an amount comparable with the pur-
chase of material, equipment. and
supplies for the Panama Canal dur
ing the 10 years of its construction.
The urgent deficiencies act approved
October 6, 1917. provides $19S,lOO,- !
600 additional for engineer purposes
and it is expected that all of this will
be expended during the present fiscal |
year. !
Within $50 hours after the engi-
neer corps. following the declaration
or war, advertised for equipment. /
awards had been made covering the
requirements OF 100000 men. a to-
tai OF 100000 articles, which in
cluded among other items miles of
pontoon bridge. Approximately two
months was the average time of de-
livery secured on all of this material
On September z, two weeks after
receipt of instructions, equipment was
enroute to the various National Guard
and National Army organizations at
cantonments throughout the country
These shipments comprised a total of
about 4S.OOO.OOO pounds i'm some Ca
600 separate cases and packages.
Ey November / the outstanding
Obligations on orders placed for en-
gineer material. equipment. and sup .
plies. aggregated $13O. 900, 900, and
disbursements in payments for mater {
ial delivered had reached the sum of
1000, 900 per month. 3