The Delta independent., 1917-02-02
Camp Colorado Troops,
Douglas, Arizona,

ABOUT the same as regulars.
Brigadier General Davis, Commanding
Arizona District.
Just about as good."-Major Cen
eral Funston, Commanding Southern
Department.
Such were the comments made by
the distinguished officers quoted in re-
paraded and marched in review before
General Funston on Thursday, January
11th last, at Douglas, Arizona 1t was
great day for the Colorado men.
Each man was at his best, struggled
to give his best. and as a result the
comparison made by the reviewing
officers and the compliment extended,
fully repaid us for the effort, for it
showed that our hard work had not
been in vain.
We had just afew hours to get
ready for this big event. An order was
published late the night before in
forming company commanders that
General Funston would review the
Colorado troops the next day. The
men we're in bed. They were not dis
turbed at that hour. Bright and early
the next morning the men got busy
cleaning up and polishing, at o'clock
we marched over to tire old camp
ground of the New Jersey infantry,
which had gone home long ago, and
at 10 o'clock. the big review took place
AS the columns marched by the re-
viewing stand, General Davis made the
favorable comment given above, and
General Funston replied with the ac-
companying quotation. When Major
Hammock announced to the officers
and men what had been said concern
in them, the Colorado officers and men
felt that their long, hard work through
the summer and fall had been justified.
During this review my mind was
carried back to the feed given us by
the Delta business men on the morn.
reminded me of my statement to the
effect that we were going ITO follow
Funston and the flag" AS we stood
lind up in the form of battalions, one
of the men reminded me of what
had said. and, first pointing to the
flag. then TO Funston, who was ap-
preaching at the time, he added. HAY
ing accomplished what you said we
we're starting out to do. is it not
time we were going home?"
"Home!" How it seems still further
and further away For the past few
days the men have been anticipating
an order ito entrain" for Fort d. A
Russell. where we are to be mustered
out. Such an order was issued. but
the Colorado troops were not mention.
ed in II. One thing now seems rea,
onably certain. that is. the Colorado
infantry will be kept at the border
until among the very last of the Ma,
tional Guard units now doing service
down here. Should this be the case
there will be no complaint, no growing
The men will continue to do their duty
just as cheerfully as they have done
in the past
The weather has been extremely dis
agreeable. 1t has not been cold as we
get il in our own state. but drizzlins
rain kept falling, which continued for
two or three days, producing plenty OF
dobe mud, but the weather cleared
off Sunday afternoon and it has been
much better since. The damp, chill
fog, aided by the sulpher fumes from
the nearby smelters, caused many
colds in the camp, but nothing serious
The only man l have on the sick list
is w. S. Ellingwood, who is at the
hospital with form of trouble akin
to blood poisoning. He is improving
rapidly and expects shortly to be re
turned to duty with the company.
certainly feel that we have either been
lucky, or successful in keeping down
to n minimum the usual and numerous
camps diseases. The luck may be that
while other camps al! round us have
had their full share. some more, we
have escaped almost untouched. The
success may lie in the fact that the
rigid sanitation demanded among our
men and religiously maintained. may
have had something to do with our
good sick reports. Anyhow. the men
are well and healthy. enjoying life as
young men are capable of doing in
military service.
Tomorrow we so out to the range