The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-11

There is captive balloon every
five miles along the Western 'front.'"
fantry, but now It has four branches
Of equal Importance, the artillery, the
cavalry. the infantry and the Y. M. C.
A."
The camp branch continues to be
used great deal and is a source of
much comfort, amusement and con-
venience to the men in the training
camp.
As already stated, the arrival to-
day OF field pieces for the artillery put
the men in a most enthusiastic frame
Of mind. The men hitched them
selves to the guns and caissons at the
station and pulled them about a mile
into camp. A bit of color has been
added to the camp Of late by the ar
tillerymen securing red chin straps
and. In many instances. changing their
red, white and blue hat cord for the
training camp to the red hat cord to
distinguish the artillery. Banquets
were held during the past week by the
artillery batteries, three of which have
been formed in camp, at which
guidons were presented to the bat
teries. One Of the batteries has
planted cannon in front of its quar-
ters to distinguish the branch of SER
vice to which 1t belongs.
The artillerymen have been borrow
ing horses from the cavalry regiment
at the fort for their use, as have the
cavalrymen in the training camp,
there being one troop of cavalry,
three batteries Of artillery and nine
infantry companies ! " f. he camp
practically 1000 men in ali.
The National Guardsmen, or at
least a great many of them, have not
yet been paid off for May, while the
other men in camp are talking about
a second pay day. which will prob
ably come in the near future. as the
pay rolls are being made out now.
Quite number of the men here are
endeavoring to get into the aviation
corps. The first contingent Of them
left yesterday for Atlanta for train
ing and others are being given a thor
ough physical examination to test
them for this very important service.
1t Is generally understood that a score
or more will leave here each week
from now on until all who wish to
enter the aviation service and can
pass the examination are gone. A
large number Of men are needed for
the aviation service. but it is prob
able that the big majority will stick
to the infantry in the future as in the
past.
A feature pleasing to the men in
camp Is the erection Of an additional
shack to each company barracks,
which will give more room for all
during the hot weather, which Is just
setting in In earnest here. Ventila-
tors are being added to the shacks al
ready in use. and the new shacks will
probably be ready by the end of the
present week.
Chickamauga Park is a big place
and mighty we'll suited for training
troops and the wisdom of the govern
ment in buying it and setting it aside
as park from practical, as well az
sentimental, viewpoint Is abundantly
proven now. CantOnments are going
up In all parts OF the park to house
the three divisions of troops to be
trained here. There are now sever
al regiments stationed here at the
fort (OglethOrpe). both cavalry and
infantry and they are being strength
ened to their full war strength BY the
recruits who are coming in by the
hundreds daily from all parts OF the
country. The speed with which the
hundreds OF shacks are put up is most
amazing, and the work is going ahead
now harder than ever before. To
give some idea of tho worth Of la
bor--and thousands of men are en-
plOyed by the contractors ON TNhe
buildings-Ordinary wOrkmen get
fifty to fifty-five cents an hour and
many work from daylight to dark