Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-07-04
ROUTINE OF CAMP LIFE
LETTER FROM TEXAS

The following letter was received In
Howard City from Tavern Jones
quite well-known in this city, writer
from Roma, Texas. Jones is a mem
Der of Troop X, 10th u. S. cavalry.
Roma is an old Mexican town
situated on the Rio Grande river one
hundred and seventy miles west of
the Gulf of Mexico. 1t has a popu-
lation of 1000 people, not counting
the dogs of which believe there are
1000; also five white families.
"We are quartered in an old hotel,
built in 1865, which is situated in the
center of the town. Our picket line
which is where our horses are kept,
Is right across the street from US.
"The first thing after we arise
which is at $3.50, is to straighten our
hunks, roll up our mattress and clean
our room. We have thirty minutes to
do that. Then the bugle blows reveille
and we line up in, front of our am
munition belts and rifles to answer
roll call. After that we wash, eat
breakfast and then clean around the
quarters, which takes about forty-five
minutes. At seven o'clock we are
supposed to be ready for any duty that
may be asked of us. Of course we
recruits are supposed to be ready to
drill at that time. We go over to the
stables saddle our horses and ride two
miles to a drill ground. The drill is
composed of first walking around
what is called a bull ring for about
twenty minutes and then a trot for
about twenty minutes, rest ten min
utes. We repeat that twice and then
we have what is called formation
drills for an hour. These drills are
composed of scouting, charges, march
ing, in fact every sort of drill that
is used inthe cavalry.
We then ride back to the stables,
water our horses, clean saddles and
brides, groom horses until 11:45. We
are through then until 1:15. At that
time we have what is called dismount-
ed drill. 1t is a regular infantry
drill and that is where are are taught
the use of rifles and revolvers, also
in fantry maneuvers. That lasts UNI
ill three o'clock. We then have the
study of horses, packing of saddles,
all sorts of things until $50. Then the
water call is sounded. We bride up,
mount bareback and ride to the river,
water our horses, return to the stables
and then we march to our quarters,
clean up, polish our shoes, clean our
rifles, change our clothing through
out, which takes until 5:15; supper
call is sounded and from then until
5:45 we proceed to fill up. At 6;00
o'clock retreats sounded and again
we line up in front, have roll call in
spection of arms and personal APP
pearance. ~
"We are dismissed, then we are al
lowed to do whatever we please until
trrk - f,t1f ont az
but we don't have to be in until an
hour later.
"Of course the older men are not
called upon to drill every day but they
are on guard, or patrol, or kitchen
duty so they are kept busy nearly all
the time.
"On Sunday we arise at CHS and
stand reveilie, groom and water our
horses. which takes until $3.50. We
then water our horses at 4:3O and
stand retreat at 600, so you see we
are pretty busy all the time.
"Our troop is only detailed here for
a month and then we go to Ringold
which is our squadron headquarters,
that is unless they change The orders,
which is Very likely as they are
changed about every other day. One
never knows for sure what is going to
happen until he is on the move.
1.-TWO days after we left Sam For
dyce we heard that ranch about
three miles from there had been raid
ed. The Second Texas militia was
put there to relieve us.
"You should see what a tan we
have. Honestly we are nearly as
black as coons.n
A dime in your hand is better than
dollar in the pocket Of the man who
owes you.