Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-07
WAR TRENCHES MODEL
FOR TRAINING GROUND
Camp Lee Men Get Instruction Un-
der Almost Actual Fight
ing Conditions.
CAMP ACTORS COMING HERE
Faudevillians of Eastern Virginia
Regiment Arranging for Appear
ance in Auditorium Mt Early Date.
Trouble in Pennsylvania Election.
CAMP ACTORS COMING HERE
[From a Stan Correspondents ]

tFrom STAFF Correspondents
CAMP LEE, November 6.-Richmond
troops and those from the Eastern sec
tion of the State will soon be receiv-
ing instruction In trenches which will
be an exact replica OF those on the
western battle front. Under the direc-
tion of Major Charles Sweeney, COM
mnnding the Second Battalion Of the
Three Hundred and Eighteenth Regi-
ment. OF Virginia. sector of trenches
is now being constructed which. when
completed. Will be in every respect sim
liar TO the ones In which Major
Sweeney saw some OF his service in
France.
AS an officer. "a captain in the French
Foreign Legion, Major Sweeney was in
many of the most important battles
fought in the first three years of the
war. In providing the trench for the
men OF his battalion at the camp. he Is
bringing to them first-hand knowledge
OF how the war is being conducted in
Europe. which will give his men a de-
cided advantage in their training.
The lay Of the ground on. which the
men are receiving their training here,
aportion Of which Major Sweeney has
selected for the trenches, is much like
that on which the French arc now bat
Ting against the Germans. Shortly the
Virginians here VIII be receiving their
bayonet instruction, grenade throwing
and every phase Of training necessary
to equip them for service overseas. the
trenches here being Identical to those
in which the men will later sec service,
making it possible for the men to IA
miliarizc themselves with their con-
struction in every detail beforehand.
TRENCHES LIKE THOSE TROOPS
WILL LATER OCCUPY IN FRANCE
The first line Of trenches and the
first firing trench which Major Sweeney
is constructing arc being built OH the
slope of an specially suited section of
land on the Three Hundred and Eigh-
teenth Regiment drill field The front
line runs straight. paralleling the fire
trench. which is OF the traverscd tyne
or construction.
This latter trench runs along the side
OF the slope, then to the crest OF the
hill. and further on returning to IN.
slope again. This method of arrange
ment permits of the forming of two
saiicnts on the slope of the hill, in each
entirely hid from view Of the enemy.
In the event the frst-line trench Is sue
cessfully carried by the opposing
forces. both of the machine guns will
open fire, discharging over the heads
or the men In the trenches and sweep
ing with crossflre the enemy. In the
rear Of the firing trench one known
as the trench of resistance will be con-
structed
All of the trenches will be connected
with communicating lines. and dug
outs. about twenty five feet below the
surface OF the ground. will be prepared
By the use OF camounage methods, the
positiona OF the machine guns will be
concealed. andthe trenches will be made
rs NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. as possible. This
VIII be done by the use of brush and
bushes. Between the fire trench and the
hrst-ltne trench, and in front Of the lat
ter also, barbed-wire entanglements
will be put up. and the whole will he
mad TO resemble the French trench alb
solutcly.
at the first the men will occupy the
front line trench when they Will re-
cciVe instruction In bayonet practice
Up to this time the training has been
in handling the bayonet, and lectures
on the work, but with the compilation
OF the trenches the men Will be in
structed along lines identical with the
methods they will employ when MAX
ing an actual assault. Work on the
trenches is being pushed vigorously,
and in short time one of the most
complete sectors to be found will be
at Camp Lee.
SOLDIER ACTORS WILL
PROBABLY PERFORM HERE
Richmond will shortly have an op-
portunity to witness n vaudeville per-
formancc by the talent of the Three
Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment.
Plans arc OH foot for picked men from
the regiment to present a performance
at the City Auditorium one night in
the near future. for the purpose OF
raising funds to purchase additional
band instruments, and also pay for
several hundred dollars worth Of ath-
letic equipment.
Details for the appearance OF the
men of the Eastern Virginian regiment
In Richmond have not been completed,
and arc now in course of arrangement
by Captain s. J. Raymond, adjutant of
when the auditorium will be available
To-day Lieutenant l'cnjamin F. Court
right went to Richmond to SEQ what
arrangements he could mako for the
performance. When he returns the
CONTINUED on Fourth PaCe.) Et
S y Z ~. 49,. ~