The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-15

Camp University, Washington, D. c., July 10.-(Special .)-We are located eight miles from Washington in one of the new training camps for officers, exclusively for engineers. There are four companies of about TO men each. Two companies fram Platts- burg, all New Workers, one from Fort Niagara, Pennsylvanians and New York CTS. and our company from Fort Mo Pherson, Ga., consisting of Alabama, Georgia and Florida engineers. Also the Sixth regiment of engineer-regulars are here, and all under command of Gen era Riddle, formerly superintendent of West Point. This regiment will shortly sail for France.
 AMONG THE BEST
 After receiving five weeks military training at Fort McPherson, Ga, we were the first company to arrive here at our new camp for engineer training Naturally we are very curious to know how we would stack up and compare to | the Plattsburg bunch. Our fears were 1 soon allayed, and we feel confident that our southern men are just as competent engineers and as well drilled as any company here In drilling it seems that the ideal climate of Atlanta permitted of more days of training than the men had at Plattsburg and Fort Niagra. On several of the long hikes none of our men dropped out, proving that the men are in excellent physical condition. In size and appearance there is very little difference, except that the Plattsburg men seem to, be older. Some of the men are 50 years old. The southern men certainly make more noise q mean sing more) and yell on every occasion.
 Every Thursday night under the auspices of the Y. M. c. A. We have a free vaudeville performance of local tal- ent, and last Thursday Dixie was rem dered The rebel yell came out and was tremendous Three night ago the Platts- burg boys paid us nice compliment. They sang Dixie" for us as we en- tered the lecture hall. We certainly ap- preciated 1t, and you see we are now one and with the same purpose, all work ing for Uncle Sam.
 ENGINEER TRAINING HERE
 Engineers play very important part in the success of modern battle. The training here is practical and consists of 1 building roads, bridges and pontoon bridges. military mining, reconnaissance and map-making railroads, field fortifi cations, entrenchments, etc.
 ROAD BUILDING
 About a mile of roads have been ac- tually built through a dense wooded. rocky and hilly country This work was done with the pick and shovel, ax and cross-cut saw Tr.s work was more test of brawn than brains Most any engineer can lay out roads and bridges, but to actually get down and do this work with his own hands Is new eX- perience Many blisters were raised in fact, every man worked until he had to quit; all pulled off shirts and under shirts. Some cut down the trees, cnt out the stumps, while others dug the road with pick and shovel; others built the small bridges out of the lumber cut down. This work is most important.
 When our troops of infantry charge the enemy and take the first and second lino trenches. it is then necessary for the engineers to follow closely and build roads for pack mules, etc, over the rough country, torn up by shellfire. This construction must be done often under shellfire, and civilian engineers have not the discipline necessary to do this. The civilian engineers into military engi- neers
 RECONNAISSANCE
 Reconnaissance must be made at all times, previous and during and after combat It includes suitable means for obtaining and recording all needful in- formation of the country In the short