The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-10
The Bic hike:
FROM the CACTUS
TO FLEUR.DE. LIS
Continued From PAGE ~

10 consult with his first sergeant, TO
whom was given the order for getting
the necessary clothing issue These
first sergeant, OF the respective bat
terics each called III his chiefs OF sec
tions, ten TO a battery Already the
word had passed up and down the
streets Of the camp that winter un-
derwear" was to be drawn 90. 1t wa,
midsummer There could he only one
deduction to make from the issue OF
warmer clothng-Service abroad II
anybody has any doubt abou, the spirit
of the regular army he should have
been there TO see the enlisted men
doing handspring' in the sand, cheer
ing and backslapping
That was how the regiment came 70
know 1t was going to France at once.
To a considerable majority Of Ameri-
cans the regular army and its activities
are as a sealed hook. This is due pri-
marily to the fact that in peace the
army receives scant attention, II any
at all Beyond the knowledge that its
officers arc educated and well trained
and the men in the ranks as intelligent
brave and resourccful as any in the
world the complacent citizen who re-
Gently bought few Liberty bonds has
but a faint conception even OF what a
soldier wears when he goes to war
Biting Interest Created.
Now all is changed Deep, biting
interest has been kindled With loved
ones in our new national army. pucked
by the draft from civil life, forming at
the cantonments, the most placid indi-
viduals have become concerned about
military affairs SO | am going to tell
as much as ! am permitted to about the
regulars" who have taken the field
their clothing, their equipment, their
training and their thrilling daily life
on the way to the west front In Europe,
where they have taken up the conflict
thus saving American soil from the
scourge OF an invader skilled in the
arts of war.
Starting from the skin the American
soldier has underwear in smmer OF
white cotton, in winter OF gray wooden
Next comes his 20. D." (olive drab)
shirt with "breeches" of khaki or 20
D." woolen cloth, His Goa, is of olive
drab wool He can he "in uniform"
with or without his coat in hot weather.
The "leggins" of private are olive.
drab canvas. re-enforced with leather
over white wooden socks. Officers wear
the leather "puttces" The private''
shoes are OF the famous "Munson last"
designed by former army officer OF
that name, and are strong, serviceablc
and comfortable.
Hat Cord Meanings.
For long time | was unable to dis
tinguish the branch of service to which
soldier belonged. Then | learned
that Identification was lodged in the
color OF the cord around his campaign
hat blue for infantry, yellow for caval-
ry red for artillery, orange and white
Tor the signal corps, red and white
for the medical corps, cream for the
quartermasters corps and red and black
for the ordnance corps. Officers have
gold and black cords on their hats, no
matter what branch they are in, with
Distinguishing collar ornaments as fol
lows Two crossed rifles for infantry,
two crossed cannons for artillery and
two crossed swords for cavalry and
so on.
Our soldiers are further provided
with "slickcr" or long coat OF rubber
zed cloth for rainy DAYS and heavy
woolen overcoat for cold weather, both
Of the mud-coorcd olive drab. In war.
time there is no stin,ng of clothing
for the soldier, He draws what he
needs, and as often as necessity re-
quires, The former yearly allowanc"
OF $50 for clothing stands suspended,
Tor with the price OF a pair OF army
shoes advanced from 2Sl to $500 and
clothing in accord, also counting in the
wear and tear of active service in the
ueld, TO have limited the men to a
fixed Quantity OF free clothing would
have been maniiestly unfair. The war
department is more elastic and less
rigid than some folk imagine.
In connection with the lapse Of time
| fN'NNNh Nil'NlNukt VI INC regiment :
overseas designation and departure, an
amusing incident worth telling concerns
veteran corporal in one OF the bat.
'eries He was OF Celtic extraction.
and naturally reStive.
Old Timers Mutterings.
During the las, monthly muster this
old-timer kept mu,,ering and numb
ling from his post in the ranks, Whats
the since 'av their kaping us waitin E?
want to fight do"
"Shet your face" growled the ser
geant OF the section under his breath.
I've shut me mouth, but there's no
Sinse at all in this waitin', say" re
,orted the corporal
The captain, hearing the exchange
shouted, Silence, corporal"
Sure an I'm quiet, captain" said the
corporal courtng a penalty for back
talk, Il was only after saying want TO
fight"
Major Hears Rumpus.
Just then major came along and
hearing the rumpus, said, who's that
| tllkinp2 Stem IN the frppt"