Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-16
ENLARGEMENT OF CAMP
PROBABLE, SAY .RUM0Rs
Cantonment Near Petersburg May
Become Permanent Army Train
ing Ground Is Report.
MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS
Installation of Rifle Range and Pos
sible Drilling Of Wells Will Cost
Huge Sum-Men Receive Military
Lectures During Rainy Weather.
IILLIoN IN IMPROVEMENTS
(From a stan correspondent)

(From a staff Correspondent.)
CAMP LEE, VA. September 15.-Two
days Of heavy rain has about complete
ly stopped all military activities at
Camp Lee The ground about the
company barracks. which is used by
the men as drill fields. is ankle deep
In mud, making It impossible for out
door instruction OF any kind. To-day
being a half-holday. everything was
practically suspended at the camp. with
the exception of special duty to which
the men were assigned. The usual
30 per cent were allowed to leave camp
this afternoon, and many of them will
also take advantage of the opportun-
ity to spend tomorrow in the city or
visiting near by.
In addition to stopping outdoor in
struction. the camp has been prac-
tIcally deserted since tho ratna set; IN
early Friday morning. Tho canton
riient Is usually the scene qf constant
bustle. with a stream Of big army
wagons numbering along the roads. and
countless automobiles making their
way through the camp conveying wal
tors. officers and men. Most Of the
roads are made Of dirt, hauled Il ON
various parts of the cantonment. and
the rain has caused this to form in
solid sheets OF mud, through which
it Is difficult to navigate. Numerous
trucks and machines were stuck deep
in the mire during the day.
While outdoor instruction cannot be
held for the men, the officers are not
losing any time. and to-day. as well
as yesterday, lectured to the men on
military science. In all OF the conf
pany barracks these meetings were
called, and for several hours The Of
ficers explained the drills to tire men.
giving them pointers in how to excel
in the various inaneuvers and other
helpful advice.
1t is surprising. the officers declare,
at the progress made by the men in
the few days they have been under in
struction. 1t was last Monday morn
ing when they first took the field and
began their military career. When
the last drill was held Thursday after
noon many of them looked to be SOL
diers who had been under instruction
for several weeks. High officers were
generous in their commenda tion Of the
case with which the majority of the
men are catching on to the military
grind. and when n whole company is
in formation. going through their pre-
scribed drills, they make very fine
showing.
NATIONAL ARMY MEN ARE
EXCELLENT BODY OF TROOPS
This is due to the fact that the
troops forming the National Army are.
on the whole. as excellent a body of
men as IL is possible to get together
in the enlisted ranks. Many Of them.
not to say the ma ajority, are of good
intellect. education and character.
They are from the solid body of
American citizenship. In addition,
they are going about this business of
war with the knowledge of the pur-
pose for which it is being DONE
Rumors were current to-day about
the probable enlargement of Camp
Lee, information being to the effect
that the government was preparing
to spend another million dollars on
the camp. There was no indication
as to what these extra camp accom-
modations were going to be used for
whether to provide additional parade
grounds and other space for the actiy-
tiles OF the troops already planned to
be sent here or whether the canton-
inent would be enlarged to accom-
modate an additional number of men.
Nothing could be obtained that wopId
throw any light on the accuracy of
tho reports, but it seems they arc
pretty well circulated. and many are
willing to give credence to them. 1t
Is believed that the government will
shortly build rifle range here for
instructirg the men in target practice,
but Just In what section it will be
prepared is not stated.
When Camp Lee was constructed. II
was declared that tho ground on which
the government had secured options
was sufficient for tho training Of all
the men to be sent here, and unless
1t is the intention Of tho War Depart
ment to give tho men more advanced
instruction In tho science OF warfare,
Continued on Fourth Page.)
I'd Camp Mcclellan. Anniston. Ala.
SOUTHERN RAILWAY SYSTEM only
direct line, Leave RiChmOnd 4 p ar