Ripley County democrat., 1917-11-09
From Camp Doniphan,

now the i40th Infantry Guards, taking
intensive training at Camp Doniphan
Fort Sill Reservation, Oklahoma. The
command Is expecting orders to &c
east about the let Of December:
CAMP DoNIPHAN, Fsf. SILL, OKLA, |
October 30, 1917. !
All but two Of the company com.
manders Of the "Old Sixthnare here ID
what is called the Goth Depot Brigade
waiting the result Of recent physical
examination which took place the latter
part Of last week. The two command
srs who retained their places in the
new regiment, which 10 now called the
i40th infantry, are Captain Davidson
Of Poplar Bluff and Captain Wickham
Of Kennett. They were the two young,
est company commanders Of the old or
ganixation, hut there happened to be
nc company commanders in the CORES.
pondlng companies OF the 3rd Missouri
with which we we're merged. The ex-
animation given us was to determine
physical fitness for service abroad
The entire depot brigade were required
to take II, including General Harvey G.
Clark, who commands. 1t is not
thought that any one will lose out en-
tirely, but those who are not thought
ft for foreign service are to be retained
for service at home. I, for one, may
mot get to 60 to France. Since we
have been attached to the brigade we
bave had more leisure than formerly.
can certainly say that we were worked
then. 4 do know that we could not
have had more work piled to us than we
had and have stood up under IL. We
had to jump in right away the next day
after We got TO Nevada and it kept up
az strenuous rate While it was
probably good for us and hardened us
for perhaps more severe service, yet
really hope will never be called upon
to work so hard again. OF course
would prefer to have something to do
at all times, but I would like more
leisure than we enjoyed at that time.
This is known as the 35th division at
this camp. General Wright is our
commander but as he 10 not here now
General Berry, second in command, has
charge. There is something like 30, 900
or 10000 men here. They have is
weeks Of intensive training mapped out
for the troops here, which will last
until towards spring, The climate
here Is very peculiar. 1t has been dry
eyer since we came and the wind and
dust has been frightiul. 1t would be
absolutely impossible to describe IL.
Today, however, is an ideal autumn
day, serene and mild. r
Things are, getting In fair shape,
The men are getting more to eat here
than at Nevada, or at least they think
so. The system Of issue is better here.
l thought we had enough at Nevada,
but some Of the boys complained. II
reports were true they would have had
something to complain about had they
served In the Spanish American war.
While encamped at Nevada l heard
that some of the boys we're writing
home that they we're nearly starved. l
think that was only In few cases,
however, when the boys would kick for
more grub. This Is tent encampment
and they are boxing up the tents now
for cold weather, They had mess
shacks when we came here, open at the
sides, and when the wind blows cold
they are an uncomfortable place. but |
hear they are to be enclosed. When
everything is completed the men will
be pretty comfortably quartered for the
winter.
We have had good luck all along and
have lost only one man. A fellow from
from Carter county disappeared from
the company at Nevada. 1t is not
thought that be deserted, but as he was
a great hand to gamble 1t is presumed
he met with foul play. He has not
been heard Of since his disappearance,
We had only one arrest in our company
while stationed at Nevada and the man
was held only until an explanation
could be made. Quite number Of de-
sertions from other companies were
reported while sncamped at Nevada, and
there we're from one to two dozen
guard house inpates Of the regiment
all the time, but none from our COM
paay. We think we made good
record. The discipline Of the company
seemed all that could be desired and
IL was one Of the best drilled in the
regiment. II was never necessary 10
reduce single non-ccm, and not one
was reduced BY officers higher up
! understand that after the eonsolida-
tion only one Of them was reduced and
that was at the map's own request.
The company commander has reduced
two Of his non-com's since, but not one
Of our old men. Sergeant Lewis, I
nndaratarld. will be diacharrad fnn dia.