The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-08-14

will train in conjunction with field ar
tillery, engineers, signal battalion and
aero squadron and the support Of
heavy artillery. To assist I'm the ma.
neuvers there will be approximately
10000 animals, artillery horses and
well as thousands of motor trucks and
vehicles.
The soldiers will be commanded at
each cantonment by nearly thousand
officers and many more non-commis.
stoned offcers-sergeants and corpor-
ais selected from the ranks. Announce.
ment has been made by the war depart
ment that promotions will be made for
each army division, opening the way
for ambitious private soldiers to rise to
positions of command.
The details of the routine for the
soldier during his stay at the canton
ments are largely at the discretion of
the commandant of each camp and no
hard and fast regulations have been
issued covering the course of instruc-
ton. In broad way the drills are
expected to follow the intensive train
ing given to the students at the Ofil-
GERS training camps where the men
| who will hold minor commands at the
cantonments received their education
in military affairs.
] mill tho a !,
o'clock, and their subsequent activi-
| ties will include morning and after
noon drill first in "the school of the
soldier" which calls for mastering the
manual OF arms, learning to stand,
walk and run properly, the efficient
care of weapons and the use of the
rife. Then comes the school of the
squad" in which the soldier learns to
act in conjunction with his seven
squadmates; then the "school of the
company" with platoon formations,
then the school of the battalion" and
lastly duties as a part of the regiment
brigade and division.
While all this is being accomplished
he Is becoming acquainted with his
rifle and expert in its use. Mindful of
the lessons of the great war in which
he soon may be IA participant, special
attention will be paid to the soldiers
bayonet exercises and practice in
bombing and grenade. throwing will
be given. Before the instruction is
complete, gas masks will become IA
miliar to the soldier and all the details
of trench warfare from digging the
trench to defending it against every
conceivable attack, will receive care
fullattention.
AT first the work will be light, but
as the soldiers OF the new army be
come hardened, long marches, and eX-
hausting drills will supplant the light
er exercises and fit the soldiers for
their task. ...u .',' Hltl-
drill, drill, drill,' will by no means
be the only activity at the cantOnments
and recreation has been carefully plan
ned In the intervals OF maneuvers,
baseball, football and other sports, par
ticuarly those Of an athletic nature,
will be encouraged. Experts in wrest-
ling, fencing, swimming and boxing
will impart their skill to the men. Nov
/ ing pictures and entertainments will
/ help to while away evening hours.
/ Every effort will be made by the
officers in charge to protect the men
from evil Influences and the camp
morals will be under constant survcil-
will be largely under the direction of
company chaplains.
Reading rooms, facilities for writing
and opportunities for indoor amuse.
ments have been arranged, all with a
view to making the soldier comfort
able, contented and cheerful that he
may more quickly learn his duties and
responsibilities and the sooner become
IL first class lighting man.
While line officers have been busy
preparing to train the citizen soldiers,
WV iuti wa ''l'h'' '''h' nus
been no less busy arranging for feed
ing the thousands who will occupy the
cantonments.
Az in the regular army each com
pany will have it's cook and helpers
who prepare and serve the food. Clean
liness is an absolute necessity. The
ratiOns which will be served each man
include; Beef, mutton, bacon (corned
canned and fresh). corned beef hash
fish (friend, picked, canned ant
fresh), turkey, soft bread, hard bread
corn cakes. corn-bread, baked beans
bean soup, rice, hominy, potatoes
ifresh and canned), onions, tomatoes
Uresh and canned), turnips and 9th
er vegetables. prunes, apples, peaches
Jam. coffee, tea, sugar, milk (evapo
rated), vinegar and pickles Care It
taken to avoid too frequent repetition
of any food In the daily meals and
the varieties make possible balanced