Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-12
THE OBSERVER

What an inspiration the DIVISION re-
view was last Tuesday, No man or
woman who witnessed the long lines OF
khaki-coated men, stretching across the
immense drill ED as far as one coulo
see distinctly, could fan TO pc impressed
with the tremendous power stored up IN
the various units of the dlylslon-lnIan-
try, artillery machine gunners, ammunl-
ton train and sanitary train.
The Observer looked upon the seems
from the window of Building 10, winch
is the best vantage in the camp, unless
we except the high tower directly PACK
of the Y M. c.. A. We shall never Tor
get the scene as the Major Generals
car passed by slowly through soma nnes
of men, all alert and appearing at their
best. -. ,,.,
wonderful sights abroad, but we 1oubt
if anything gave him quite the thrill
that his own Twenty eighth i VISION far-
nished.
AS we witnessed the artillery brigade
forming into position, there came 10 ouI
mind hint of what is transpirlng across
the seas where the men who man the
guns have done SO much by their expert
fire to make possible the advance OF tle
men with tn erifie and bayonet; 1--WE p,ed
power power was suggested in the move
ment of every horse and driver as lney
turned and wheeled into kne ana then
drew up in alignment across the pFoao
field. Their guidons gave a touch OF coIor
and life to the motionleSS mass OF men,
horses and guns. One could not look
upon such a scene without being stirred
to the depths of his emotions, ana we
eyynerienced the same sensation we have
had before in the presence OF coluInh
of marching infantrymen-that OF mist
before the eyes and a swelling III the
throat.
And far to the right stood the solid
ranks of infantry-the thousands OF men
who will precede the artilerymen across
No Mans Land and push the banner OF
Freedom into the enemy's territory once
before as we stood at the side or the
road and noted these men pass py 81
lently, with measured tread their rlfes
aslant toward the sky, we were moved
to express our emotions in the follow
ing verses:
10 the oninous tread of the tramping feet
AS the men in khaki go by;
Swinging along with sound OF drum,
Their rifles aslant toward the sky;
With measured beat they march down the
street
And the sight fills our souls with JOY,
For these are the boys who without fuss
and noise
Are ready to do and die
They march for Old Glory and Freedoms
To make humanity free;
To force the Hun from his murderous
throne
And safeguard democracy;
Some win rush mid the roar Of the guns
And their faces will blanch in the sky,
But their souls will live in the ages to
Immortals of Liberty!
We were at the Grand theatre on SUM-
day afternoon for the first time to hear
the community singing-and spent de-
lightfuI ninety minutes. This it, part or
the program of the FoSdick Commission
ton entertain hesoidiers while they are
in the city. And it is a great success.
The theatre was filled from top to bot
tom, the lower floor being occupied by
the soldiers and their ladies, while the
upper floors contain civilians. Hundreds
OF soldiers were thc@e, and if all the
men at Camp Hancock understood the
character of the program and how well
it is arranged, the entire building would
be damned with soldiers. that civilians
would have no room. With splendid
band on the >s,age-the old Thirteenth
and a number of soloists to intersperse
the community singing, the program was
delightful.
AS an innovation the audience sang the
words of the song from a screen and the
idea proved a great success, for every
body was able to participate. Prof. Tebbs
of the Army Y. M. c.. A. conducts the
singing with grace and dignity and from
the many comments we have heard, Mr.
Tebhs has endeared himself to the peo-
pie Of Augusta, as we'll as the singers
from Camp Hancock
Camp Hancock is fun of talent and al
though the personnel of the units has
been recorded, so far as their economic
and industrial value is concerned,
Of the division. On Sunday afternoon
we heard a bass soloist from :he 103rd
Engineers-a real basso, with a full, sor-
day evening. we enjoyed dinner with
several soldiers in the home of promi-
nent New York woman. who spends the
winters in Augusta There were eight
men present in uniform and We of them
possessed musical ability of high order
Everybody knows of John Surra. whose
magnificent tenor voice and operate
singing have thrilled soldiers in the camp
a swell as The people of Augusta. Joan
was there and never in better voice. He
sang Celeste Aida with beauty or
tone and ardor of expression. reminding,
one of Caruso. We doubt if any camp
in the country has a finer voice than
is possessed by Mr. Surra. Real artists
were uncovered in Messrs. See'ey and
Gibbs, Of the medical corps at the base
hospital. Mr.. Gibbs had his cello wit,
him and although it had been untouched
for five months, he revealed his skill ann
artistry on this beautiful instrument Mr.
See!ey was organist at Christ church.
roV dence. r. l.. and his piaTo numbers
end accomp2 uimentS were cf unus1ali,
high GrdNr. These two mon would gracA
e,