The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1917-10-11
EVERY EFFORT MADE TO
CONSERVE BOTH HEALTH
AND SPIRITS.
CAMP IS HoMELIKE
General Sturgis, the Comman-
der, Urges Soldiers to Make
Quarters Comfortable.

Little Rock, Ark, Oct. 10.--What
can Germany and the Central Pow
ers expect with an army of young
men being gathered at Camp Pike
under command of such soldier as
Major General D. Sturgis? There
are sixteen other armies of similar
character, but certainly they cannot
excel and probably not equal this
flower Of the Southland. Bright
eyed, eager young men, under COM
mander who conserves the energies
and the health of his men, and who
sees that they have comforts of life
along with the hardships.
Willingness seems to be the pre-
dominant feature in the men who are
reporting at Camp Pike" says Major
General Sturgis, "and men who are
willing make soldiers who cannot be
defeated. These men come to the
camp with a thorough knowledge of
the task before them. They come
with determination to make the best
of it, and seem ready to grasp every
opportunity to assist their officers in
rounding out an army that will give
an excellent account Of itself when
called upon.
"Among those who have reported
are men of high education, wealth
and refinement. They do not evi-
dence disposition to shirk anything.
They obey every order with alacity
and eargerness. 1t makes no diff
ference what they are called on to
do, they do it, and do it with good
grace. Few expected such action
from drafted army, and it has SIM
phied the work of the officers great
ly. 1t will enable them to turn out
we'll organized machine much ear
lier than was anticipated.
1.-THE officers turned out by the
training schools are proving to be
valuable men. have found among
them the desire to rush training as
they were driven in the 80 days they
were under training. This will not
work on an army and after bit OF
,aution, they are breakir't the men
ipto camp routine more lcisurely
They do not drill the men all day az
at the start, but drill few hours in
the morning, then have other work
at does not require such strenuous
physical endeavor. The afternoon is
devoted to lighter work
can cantonm ents have their trou-
bles at the start, but remarkable
work has been done here. Of course
we came in before all buildings were
completed, but we have kept just
a bit ahead of the men. This par
TALLY completed appearance of the
camp naturally has its effect upon
the men, but it is very slight. They
have quarters that are homelike in
side, and very orderly. They have
good beds and meals, and everything
is spick and span except on the out
side. This will be remedied shortly.
"Some cantonments have mud,
others rock, and one thing after
another. Camp Pike has dust. have
asked the War Department for au-
thority to relieve this condition, for
the men should not have to breathe
it. have been authorized to spend
$75,00O.000 but / have asked for
$500, 900 and this will do the work
permanently and right. The dust is
the only objection, for we have water
and lights, and everything else need
ed for the comfort of man.
Already we have pirked out many
non-commissioned officers, particu-
larly the c0rporals. We have also
assigned some sergeants but many
will be left until the companies are
formed. Regiments are formed in
accordance with the states, and each
man is thus in a regiment with his
friends. 1t is possible that men from
one locality will be one company
and certainly they have many friends
in a regiment.
81 have not seen any homesick
ness, for / don't believe the men have
ime to think of such matters. The!
are every day with the boys from
back home, have excellent meals and
quarters, and there is no room fol
anything but satisfied body.
"The men who have been here {
month are now pretty well drilled
They would be excellently drilled
troops but for the fact that each da,
recruits are added to the squads unit
a company is formed, and each com