The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-08-11
SATISFIED WITH ARMY LIFE.
Lauderdale Boy Tells of Experiences
at Fort Leavenworth,

Arthur Folse, a son of Eugene
Folse, of Lauderdale, who is presently
stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kan
sas, as a member OF Co. A, Seventh
United States Engineers, writes the
following interesting letter to the St.
James Interim under date of July 25:
''As our preparatory training on
this side is apparently about COM
pleted, | feel justified in writing my
community something of the interest
ing experiences | have had.
II arrived at Fort Leavenworth
about June 90, and since that time
have been putting in eight hours per
day Of the most intensive training un-
der the hottest sun that ever shone.
AS the result of this training, many of
US show decided physical improve
ment. I, myself, have gained ten
pounds in weight since arriving here.
"As a whole, the work is very inter-
esting, as well as instructive. 1t in
cludes such training as bridge and
road construction, map sketching and
reproduction, surveying (including
Typographical reconnaissance), tele-
phone and telegraph installation and
operation, and other work along con-
struction lines. As side line, we
have devoted about three hours daily
to infantry drill. | think the Engi-
neers can rightly claim to be the high
est branch of the service, for we must
know the operations of all other
branches, as we'll as be efficient in our
own.
"The fort is very picturesque. The
great numbers of massive buildings,
the weli-kept quarters and parade
grounds all tend to show the decided
success of the government in estab-
fishing posts that are fully equal to
(if not better than) those of any
other warning nation. The parade
grounds look especially fine in the
afternoon when some three thousand
of us 'Sammies' assemble in retreat
and parade to the Star Spangled Ban
ner.' Retreat is formation at
which the roll is called to ascertain
the number of men present and
absent, and also for the purpose, es-
tablished by custom, of showing due
honor to our flag and country.
"Among other things, we have
here federal and military prisons,
and the Old Soldiers Home. The
prisons were constructed at an ex-
penditure Of probably two or three
millions of dollars each, and cover
immense areas. The military prison,
or rather disciplinary barracks, is
used for the confinement of enlisted
men in the army who violate major
regulations. Civilians who violate
United States laws are confined in the
federal prison.
"An army service school is also
maintained on an extensive scale for
The purpose .off. ehing non-eona-
missioned officers and enlisted men.
Those who prove their ability stand IN
line for prom otion, and these men, be-
cause of their practical service in the
army, often prove efficient officers:
sUncle Sam allows none OF his
men to want for anything in the way
of necessities. We have very COM
Portable quarters, and as for eats,
thew are fine; the best part of it is we
have all we wish.
GAS a manner of passing off our
leisure hours, we have for con-
veniences a gymnasium, swimming
pool, library, pool room, army Y. NJ.
C. A., and lots of time at week-ends
to, visit the cities of Leavenworth,
Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
A suburban car running hourly
serves as our means of transporta-
tion. Leavenworth is just outside OF
the reservation, but Kansas City is
somewhere near thirty miles distant
GAS a whole, we are entirely sat,
isfied with army life, especially with
the Seventh Regiment of u. S. En-
gineers. We all have come to the
Conclusion that war is hell' and are
living in hopes of getting the kaiser's
goat before st. Nicholas ap'
proaches.
"ARTHUR FOLSE."