The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-20
FORT OGLETH0RPE NEWS.
MEN ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT
ARMS OF SERVICE.
Engineers and Coast Artillerymcn
Left on Saturday for Fort Meyer
and Fortress MOnrOe-Infantry and
Cavalry Remain ut Oglcthorpe.

Fort Oglethorpe, Ga, June 16.-This
has been week of rest and moving
for men in the officers training camp.
Most Of them have moved twice and
all at least once, and the end has not
yet come, for orders have just been
received, as the field artillery men had
formed expecting to go to the station
10 take passage to San Antonio, Texas,
resembling the former order for them
to go there, and directing them to re-
main here, as big guns would be sent
here for them to use in training. maxi
ing the trip to San Antonio unneces-
sary. The men received the news
with mixed emotions. They were glad
70 stay In camp at Chickamauga. but
the order was SO unexpected that
many were disappointed at not getting
the trip. A great many however, were
very enthusiastic at the news, as it
means that they do not move, al
though chagrined at having had to
turn In all the stuff which has been
issued to them and then right away
having to 60 through all the trouble
Of having it issued right back to them.
The friends in the infantry of the ar
tillerymen are pleased at having them
stay. although jesting at their many
preparations and then finding that
they were all for nothing.
The coast artillery. about eighty Of
them. left this morning for Fortress
Monroe. Va. where they will learn to
operate the big guns. They will be
the first men Of this training camp, in
all probability, to cross the ocean to
France to take up the war on behalf
Of America and democracy for all.
The engineers also left this morn
ing. They go to Fort Meyer. Va, to
train further for their work in the
greater army Of the Unieed States.
The infantry and cavalry. which will
be dismounted, will remain here. and.
as previously stated. orders have just
been received that the field artillery
men will also stay here. All of the
companies have been and are being
reOrganized. as there was the same
course for all during the first five
weeks Of camp, and men from each
company were distributed among the
various branches.
Herbert Bultman was the only man
Of the Sumter contingent to get in the
coast artillery branch, which seems to
be generally more highly thought of
than any other. Wade Williford, w.
Brooks Stuckey. Edward E. Wright
and Bernard Manning went into the
field artillery. two batteries of which
were organized from this camp. j.
II. Forbes was the only Sumter man
to select the cavalry. H. I. Ellerbe,
of M ling. who is pretty we'll known
IN Sumter was also among those to
go to Fortress Monroe. All the re-
mainder of the Sumter contingent
stuck to the infantry.
Last night a big supper was given.
turkey, celery, cranberry sauce, eto.
In honor Of the men departing from
camp. The men called on those in
the various companies who were re-
naming to speed the departing SOL
diers.' while responses were made by
men among those branches which
were leaving. AS 1t was the breaking
up of the old company organizations. n
number Of companies presented gifts
to their officers who were called on for
speeches. The South Carolinians in
many of the companies. seemed to
take a leading part in the presenta-
tions and speech making. Last night
a general conference of officers and
men was held and appropriate part
ing exercises were held. Again tho
South Carolinians were to the front.
j. B. Murphy Of Columbia made one
OF the goodbye speeches, which was
responded to by j. Y. McSwain of
Greenville. Bryan Lumpkin Of Colum.
bia took leading part in the glee
club selections and responded to calls
for q solo.
Yesterday was moving day. Most
Of the companies moved, were reor-
ganized, or organized in their new
companies, and then most Of them
had to move again today to get more
room. Heretofore the men bavo heen