Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-25
OFFICERS
I FOR RICHMOND TROOPS
from First Page

then the work Of getting them in uni
form will be under way.
- Tho majority of the Richmond hoy:
have been placed in Company +. o
the Three Hundred and Eighteenth. and
they are fortunate in having as their
company commander, Captain Johr
Drum, young man less than thirty
hut veteran OF many wars. and 4
man skilled In the art as few men or
this side of the Atlantic are. The Rich
tpond boys are equally fortunate IL,
being in the second battalion OF their
regiment. which is commanded b.. Ma
j9r Sweeny. This officer fought with
the French army in the Foreign Legion
and was one Of the most decorated men
OF the fighting forces of the republic
With these military men to guide their
instruction, and to have the benefit OF
their personal experience means more
to-the Richmond boys than can as yet
.he told. 1t will more likely be shown
by ,heir actual participation in the
war.
HAS SEEN SERVICE IN MANY
WARS AND REVOLUTIONS
captain Crum began his fighting ca
reer in the Spanish American War.
G2mpletinG TINT, he returned to the
states, and spent some little time on
bis ranch. only to be lured away by
She attraction that was offered by taxi
ing part In the internal conflict of Hon
dGras some years past. This was fol-
lowed by participation in the war In
Nicaragua. which stirred the little Cen
sral American republic.
APassing through these. he could not
Est the revolution in Mexico take place
without seeing actual service in it, and
be entered on the side OF Madero, serv-
Gg with the rank of colonel 4 short
nest followed his war activities there.
put in September. 1914. he sailed for
England. and entered the Kings Own
4Tmy. Up TO about April of this year
sAr fought for the allied cause. passing
Through experiences that brough, every
hhase of war-making to him. When
Che United States declared n state OF
war existed with Germany. he re-
turned to this country. went TO Fort
AINer. and won a captaincy.
ssE.Major Sweeny. who will give the
4 aachmond boys the benefit of his rich
ssS&perience. enlisted in the French For
,:eign Legion as private. bu, his extra
iatdinary ability soon brought him
rapid promotions. and he jumped to
!Honcommissioned ranks. and then to
;G9mm issioi.nd ranks, winning distinc-
stion on numerous occasions, and being
sdecorated for bravery In some OF the
sTfeatest battles that have been fought
sSH the western front. He, too. re-
sSlrned 10 the United States at the be-
/. ginning ot Americas participation III
lLhe war, entered Fort Myer, and was
.Tqmm issioncd a maiur.
fsEAPTAIN tRUM JUBILANT At
~, SHOOTING OF RICHMoNDERS
~. Captain Crum was to-day plainly
sidubiiant over the prospects Of making
-,Eompany F. in which the Richmond
t,Roys are serving. one of the crack
stcommands of the regiment. He de-
- clared that he WAS amazed at the
fAfapidity with which the men were
catching on. and. although they only
arrived al the camp last Wednesday,
he says they have absolutely mastered
the first instruction that has been
given them They are OF fine material
Captain Crum stated. and he partcu-
larry admired their caserness TO learn
which. he says, indicates that they
will make showing.
Captain Crum is advocating all sorts
of sports for the boys. and has things
planned out for the organization of
teams. Walter Evans who was at
the head of an amateur baseball league
in Richmond. will play a prominent
part in getting athletics under way
as will also Billy Sitterding. the star
football player. who is also in the
company
Plans are also under way for the
participation Of The bows in AN athletic
meet. open 10 all men a, Camn Lee
which Viii be staged AT the sou,h
Side Virginia Fair. to be held Octohor
il. Captain Crum Viii 20 through his
company and pick out the hes, mate
rial TO represent the companv a, ,he
meet. and Company f. is slated to win
the banner offered for the creates,
number OF points recorded, Dashes.
running broad jump, shot pat. bomb
throwing contest. hurdle races and :,
one-mile inter-rcgimer,al r.r.y 80,
feature tho cnr,os,