The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1917-09-22
A BIT OF CAMP
LIFE AT SEA GRIT
Letter From Harry N. Jenness
Who Is A Member of Bat
terry ID, in Training.
BOYS GETTING SEASONED,
Camp Edge, Sea Grit, N. ].

September Is, 1917.
1t seems age ago since Battery d
boys left home to study to become
soldiers. Before l enlisted it was al
ways a puzzle to me just where a man
could put in so much time before be-
coming a trained soldier. I'm taking
it for granted that the average citizen
asks the same question, and as this
is really the first opportunity I've had
to write, I'm availing myself of it in
an attempt to make as clear as posi-
BILE just what we are doing.
Of course, the first thing we did was
to detrain, and then strike camp, and
believe me it was hard work with such
heavy clothing to run around in the
hot sun, but we did it admirably, and
soon a small city under canvas seemed
to grow out of nothing. We were rea-
dy to eat at 6 P. NJ, and We weren't
a bit particular what it was, just so
the quantity was there. Taps found
some weary boys, and $50 found US
very reluctant to get up, but there is
no use to argue about getting up when
you are in the army. In fact, it's the
same in every instance. A still tongue
saves coolies of trouble.
I've found the boys of our battery
a splendid bunch of fellows and I've
never heard one find fault without
very good reasons. I've seen and
heard much pro and con on the food
question and l don't like to go in the
grave, but | want to assure you that
there was just cause for complaint,
and has been up until the past few
days, which have been very satisfac-
tory, and Pm sure if we are fed in the
future as we have been the latter half
of this week there will not be a voice
raised in protest. We We're so dis
heartened at first, for we felt we had
given up everything that we held dear
to take upon us the burden of our
share in the war and to be ill fed took
heart and soul out of US, but we sur-
vived, and really after having passed
through about twenty physical tests,
three NEGOTIATIONS, a vaccination, and
having horses exercise themselves by
kicking at us and stepping on our feet
one is supposed to find it a reality,
for I'm sure a couple of months ago
none of us imagined we could with
stand half what already we have pass
ed through. After you are here a
short time you are expected to be-
lieve that a great favor has been be-
SION Gu upOn NOu anu Iudl you SLOulu
act accordingly. You see. that is how
good soldiers are made. Tn sure you
will understand that | don't wish to
cast any reflection on the service, but
l just mention this that it may be
known that we aren't reposing on
fiowery beds of ease.
There are about four hundred parts
to a cannon, and we are expected to
lpar- tho nnnanc Of aoah nart ond tho
location. The pistols are composed of
So parts, and we are being taught how
to take them apart, name each part,
and put them together again. We have
to learn the formations of the infantry
and march the same as they. We
haven't as yet had any actual firing
of the cannons, but we have had pis-
toll practice, and m~anoeuvred with the
cannons, doing everything except fir
ing them. The semaphore drill is te-
dious, as we have to learn the whole
alphabet and talk with our hands. We
have lectures on First Aid. personal
sanitation, camp sanitation, and other
different subjects, which are amusing
as we'll as instructive.
Imagine that We are better off than
most folks think. We have many
privileges; we are permitted out IN
til eleven o'clock (taps). We have
very nice shower baths, comfortable
clothing, a cot to sleep on. three blan-
kets. AS in civil life, We find some of
the public representatives kind, while
yet others are prone to be %overbear-
ing. But taken as a whole there is
no reason, under the circumstances,
why the dear folks at home should
picture us dying by inches. The peo-
pie here are lovely, so hospitable they
treat us just as though we were their
boys. The ladies of the surrounding
towns and cities, have a recreational
canteen, and serve elegant little daint-
les that we cannot procure in camp,
and just charge us cost price. There
is music, and reading, and it is so nice
after a hard days work to go Yer,
and relax. Everyone is so lovely that
we forget camp, and by the time we
are there an hour we are all talking
end jabbering. and are as happy as
clans at high water.
| didn't intend to write half this
much, but it just seemed as if could
find no stopping place. If you have
to put it in installments | will under
stand.
Last, but not least, l want to, on be-
half of the Pleasantville boys, thank
you for being so thoughtful, and so
kind in sending each of us every week
a copy of your fine paper. l assure
you hat we appreciate it, and you
cannot imagine the genuine joy we eX-
perience as we read what the dear
folks are doing at home. Wishing you
all a wealth of happiness, l am,
Sincerely.
HARRY N. JENNESS.
Battery d, F. r. F. A.