Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-18

ID n NTWU IVTTFoFV'TUE77T
CAMP HANCOCK, Augusta, Ca, sept

BIZ sta6 Correspondent
cAMf CAN'T HANCOCK Augusta Ca sept
Philadeiphia's troops. 6OO0 strong
started training today for service in France
Without fanfare of trumpets, Tapping
banners or shouts OF applause, the boys
marched out upon the drill GROUNDS AT
TAO o'clock, and within the space OF
few moments had taken up the WORK
which will fit them physically TO stand
the hardship OF trench life and the horrors
Of modern warfare.
II Is a stiff weeks work which these
lads from Philadelphia face, because they
must make up forty hours of drill and
instruction before the end of the wook
in order to catch up In the schedule with
troops of all other units on the neld VINO
started the sixteen weeks course OF in
tepsiye training yesterday. This means
that men of the First. Third and Sixth In
fantry Regiments probably will lose their
half holidays Wednesday amt Saturday.
AS they marched from quarters this
morning clad in khaki trousers and woolen
shirts, facing a chill morning breeze which
swept the camp ground and the open space
set aside for drill, this contingency did
not appear to worry them. They marched
with the vigor and swing OF mon deter
mined upon "A certain purpose, ana inns
purpose could be read in each set race
the ambition to plunge heartily into the
good shape within the allotted time and
to get over the water where real hghting
is in progress. and where the test OF true
manhood will be made.
The advent of the Philadelphia troops
20 the drill ground set the whole division
in action upon the intensive training
schedule From today on visitors to camp
will not see soldiers helping laborers work
ing as carpenters and mechanics. The
men in the field are now doing real SOL
diering,' as they call 1t, and they are de-
lighted with the job. After weeks of in
action the troops which started work yes
terday were enthusiastic last night with
their experiences of the day and, although
they were stiff and sore in every muscle,
scarcely a man complained of the magni-
tude Of the course mapped out.
sETTING-UP EXERCISES
As soon as the troops reached the field
This morning they received their first in
otructons in setting up exercises. FOR
hours thereafter they twisted arms and legs,
bent their bodies. skipped and jumped and
ran short distances in formation of squads
of platoons. In general the drill resembles
that which can be seen in any physical
Institution, but there are certain features
which are altogether new
For instance, "a long column OF men will
fall PROSTATE at n word Of command from
an officer and within the space Of a few
seconds will raise themselves upon their
hands and elbows. When the first command
Is given II appears that the column has
been wiped out by machine gun fire, so
quickly do the men disappear In the dust
of the field In second they are upon
their feet again dancing and hopping about.
to the immense delight Of hundreds OF
negroes who squat upon the ground along
the roadside fanking the drill grounds.
4 The schools of instruction for the soldier
are yividly interesting. While thousands
Nss.1 Ia
and under the trees in semicrcles listening
20 an officer reading the articles of war
or lecturlng upon personal hygiene and
camp sanitation. Next week officers will
explain to the men why America entered
the world war and what America expects
OF the men she will send to Europe as
modern crusaders in defense Of democracy.
SPEND WEEKS ON RUDIMENTs
1t will be many weeks before the troops
will get away from routine training in the
Fundamentals. The fighting" from
trenches, bombing, charges upon gas-flled
chambers and other spectacular features Of
the course will not be taken up until the
second eight weeks period. This has not
dampened enthusiasm, however, for the men
realize they must be fit before they UNDER
take the more specialized branches
g 1t is likely that the plans for reorgan-
xation OF the division will be announced
this afternoon.
The First City Troop, Philadelpha's crack
cavalry unit, pulled up stakes this morning
and departed for the remount station. five
miles from division headquarters, where the
1-st consignment of horses was received
last night.
With the exception of work upon the
base hospital, which is half finished, Camp
Hancock is virtually complete. The sound
Of the hammer and saw can be heard only
In isloated sections. Mess shacks have all
AzA nAA all n..,tN.
up, the drill grounds have been cleared and
early preparations for winter are being
made. Woodworking stoves. designed TO
heat tents are being received and will be
distributed when the next cold snap comes.
Major General Charles NJ. Clement. COM
manding Pennsylvania Twenty eighth
Army Division, is leaving Camp Hancock
today for his home In Sunbury, Pa, on a
few days leave OF absence. The Gener II
will be accompanied to his home by members
OF his personal staff. The fact that the
division is fully organized I'm the field. Is
virtually at full strength and has made a
6ne start on the program Of intensive train
ing makes II possible for the Major Gener ii
10 take a short leave to visit his home folks.
lie left Sunbury with several personal mat
tiers hanging fire and he desires to put them
In shape. During his absence from camp
Y Brigadier General William G. Price, Jr.. will
4 assume temporary command OF the division
~ General Clement received correspondents
this morning and talked In terms of highest
Spraise OF the men concentrated in the fed
@He Declared the division was In better
ohape than ever before. and that the ad-
vance which had been made since the Penn
EGYiyania boys went to the border last year
Was remarkable. When the division went
Ito the border. the General said, companies
were recruited TO strength Of about ninety
men each now the average personnel OF
zach company is 40 men. The General said
y The reserve officers who have been assigned
10 the division are competent men and are
4 beiug absorbed Just IL they belonged
10 the L. $. for all time" The combatant
>akrength OF the division. he said. was 25,995
non Last sunday he said the division was
@@Iort 433 enlisted men.
X There are about 100 men absent on leave
I&cruits are being received daily. the Gen.
1&l n~fd. All units In the field are now
1olr foGeGed IN work under the schedule
3b11f4 ~ 6itrU~< ~ the thfee Philadei-