The Delta independent., 1917-01-12
CAPT. JOHN r. cHARLEsWORTH
WRITES FROM BORDER
Douglas, Arizona. Jan. I, 1917.

pOrtunity / have had. to extend the
sincere and heartfelt thanks of the
officers and men of Company E, in
cluding myself. to the people of Delta
who have so literally and generously
responded to the call for Christmas
donations on behalf of the organiza-
tion. 1t was doubly appreciated by
reason of the fact that, added to the
other things allowed us, and some we
bought, the Delta company Jared as
well as any on the border. including
the regular troops, and to know that
friends and relatives at home, by
reason of the token sent, enabled the
men to feel that, though far from
| home and held by rigid discipline.
they were not forgotten with regard
to the seasons festivities. and there
will ever linger in their hearts
grateful remembrance of the occasion,
bright spot in their memories that
made break in the routine and mono
tony of life in a military camp.
That the Delta people may know
that their representatives now on the
Mexican border Jared admirably
through the season. / give the bill of
fare provided for them Christmas day:
Oyster stew. crackers. celery, roast
turkey. oyster dressing. cranberry
sauce. sweet potatoes. peas. ice cream
and cake. coffee, mince and pumpkin
pie.
When we add to the above the con-
tributions of apples. cigars, tobacco
and more cake with the nuts and 9TH
er things sent, it will be seen that,
ness of the family circle. the men
actually Jared as well as II they had
been at home, and it was made the
occasion of a glorious celebration
At the inception of this letter stat
ed that this was the first opportunity
| had had to write and thank the donors
for their munificent gifts. This may
seem strange. and while Christmas
week was intended to be a general
holiday for the men. 1t was in reality
one of the busiest weeks they have
had since coming to the border AZ
ter numerous requests, the govern
ment finally issued lumber with which
to wall and floor all the tents. and
as this added to both comfort and
convenience. the men went to work
making the buildings. and this kept
them occupied most of the week
At the same time it was the end of
the annual and semi-annual periods
which called for general and com
plete reports covering every depart
ment of military procedure. and this
kept me pretty busy during the same
time. for with those reports came the
muster and pay rolls. all of which had
to be completed and in prior to
the first of the year.
On January End we were ordered
to the rifle range to shoot the ragu.
lar army course. We had completed
the organized militia course while at
Golden. but as this did not allow extra
pay to the men who had made quail
fications, the department ordered that
the regular army course be fired,
and the second battalion is now en-.
gagged with that The range is seven
miles east of camp. We make the
trip in motor trucks. leaving camp
at O'Clock in the morning, and we
start back from the range at o'clock
All of the coming week will be taken
up with the range work. and as n
consequence the drills have been sus-
pended
The firing may prove of financial
benefit to the men. Those who can
qualify as expert rifle men will re-
ceive $5 per month additional pay. A
sharpshooter gets 81 extra and
marksman 50 extra The prospect
OF additional pay furnishes zest to
the firing, as each man is striving
to get the increase. This results in
some good work. The training the
men have had has helped them con
siderably. At first many of them did
not know how to hold and handle a
rifle. Theye were what we call "gun
scared" and would finch at every
shot. Some, with 20 caliber could
not hit paper target over foot
square at so feet. Familiarity with
the rifle. including It's mechanism and
the constant drilling with It. has put
confidence in them and the most tim
Id of all are now able to make good