The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-09-20
50 VERMONT
RECRUITS ARE
AT WESTF|ELD
Partly Transferred Direct to
26 Division
FOOD is IMPROVED
Rations Better Than at First and
Camp Said to Have over $4,000
Soldiers.

Camp Bartlett, Hampton Plains,
Sept. 19,-All but one of the men
drawn in the selective draft assigned
to the National Guard units at Camp
Bartlett are pleased with the change,
largely because of "the eats" After
looking at the camp and at their fu-
ture comrades in arms, they bucked
up and adopted the army swagger
Why shouldn't they? They we're the
first men in the draft to be picked
for active service.
Two hundred strong they arrived
from Camp Devens at Aver late Tues
day evening. 1t was some task for
the cooks to get up another supper
for 200 men after they had already
taken care of the healthy appetites of
250 soldiers, whetted by day of hard
work.
There was only one man in the
bunch who failed to fit into the
groove designed for him. Last night
after being fed and provided with
sleeping quarters by the former
guardsmen and given the best they
had to give, this youn man proceeded
to start an argument He delivered
an Grafton at length on the superiori-
ty of the National Army over the Ma
tional Guard. He issued an open
challenge. He was transferred to the
brigade hospital His injuries are
not serious, but the lesson has taught
him a new phase of army life and
proof that the old saying, Compare
sons are odious,' is true.
SO far as the draft went, the only
thing noticeable today was the draft
icreated by the Aver recruits as they
were moved back and forth. This
morning more than 100 we're assigned
to the 103d Infantry But the 1890
Infantry had full ranks and Is too
many men without the additions. So
it was necessary to put them in q
new place.
Forty went to the supply train, SO
went to the ammunition train, 65
we're sent to the machine gun battal-
ion and the remaining Is we're unas-
signed tonight. They will be placed
with their future command tomorrow.
The men were far from being equip
ped, but they seemed happy, neverthe
less. even though they passed much
of the day hiking from one organiza-
ton to another. Some OF them had
army shirts and were wearing civilian
hoI @
and hats. some had blouses, Others
had army trousers, but with the
stores on hand at Westfeld it will be
matter of hours only before they
are fitted out complete.
Ninety OF the draft detachment
are Massachusetts men. Thirty hail
from Maine, there are so from New
Hampshire and 80 from Vermont. II
doesn't make any difference where
they 60 They will find fellows from
their respective States, everywhere
throughout the 26th Division, OF
which they are to be a part
Over in the Depot Brigade there
was the merry sound OF saws and
hammers. The brigade doesn't know
how long II is to be in camp. but II
is determined to be comfortable, nc
matter how short the stay. The mer
began today to build walls and floors
for their squad tents, and tonight two
or three of the companies have theil
task completed. while others are wei
started. Their camp is a model o.
neatness, but each day finds some
new wrinkle In the line OF camp com
| fort added TO the streets Of every out
nc. As a matter of fact the ingenui
| ~ OF soldiers in making something
| out Of nothing, even to tables. desks
| chairs and cabinet chests, is remark
able. Men from every trade can b,
found in the National Guard an,
spare moments are utilized in devils
ing little knick knacks which add 4
life under canvas.
Visitors were few this afternoo,
and in reality the men have but littl
time TO bother with them. Thei
hours are occupied fully and Will
they are always glad to see or hea
from home folks, their leisure period
are taken up long before they arriv,
| There were few stragglers anon
tho absentees roaming sheepishly II
to camp throughout the day. But IN
number was few in comparison wit
the larger number still absent. A
the pay OF the soldiers is spent IN
officers believe the men will com
back, but they are not waiting 70
miracles and are going after the al
sent ones.
| Pleasant weather and break 1
the cold spell has made life NOR
bearable and all things considere
camp life on Hampton Plains anon
the $4,000 soldiers is most pleasan
L n.l.a .,.n,, nrn In .....- ...nn ana 40