Evening star., 1917-12-04
D. c. SOLDIERS TRY
BUSTING BRONcH0S
Green Riders and Unbroken
Horses Provide Camp Meade
With Thrills.
OFF FOR "FRoNT" SOON

CAMP MEADE. Admiral. Md. Decem-
a fling at broncho busting on the field
near the 312th Machine Gun Battalion
stables. 1t was the first time the men
ever rode or tried to ride horses. Like
wise, it was the first time the horses
ever tried out riders.
| The result was that the experiment
produced thrills a-plenty. The break
ing-in process was punctuated with
horses buckinG. riders whizzing
through the air, having no saddles to
cling TO. There was just half tho num-
Der of horses as there were District
soldiers. but that did not matter. One
soldier led a horse, while a comrade
tried to stick on his back. Fortunately
lesson No. for the horses and riders
did not produce an injury list. Stable
many-ringed circus.
Off for Front Soon.
| The time is rapidly approaching when
the artillery brigade of the 18th Divi-
sion will depart from the cantonment
for actual practice in hurting Tive"
shells on a government range.
| Although official announcement
ment. 1T is rumored the artillerymen
I will invade Camp Dix. at Wrightstown.
| \. j., in the near future to practice on
the new range constructed there. The
| reservation here does not contain a
range of sufficient size to permit this
| character of training.
| Another selected soldier was chosen
for immediate overseas duty. He is
| William A Foster. Company X. 315th
Infantry, who was transferred for serv-
ice with the medical department. Fos-
| ter left the cantonment with orders
to report to the medical supply depot
at 1910 Arch street, Philadelphia
To Join Battalion.
The District Machine Gun Battal-
mented by headquarters detachment
The new unit, which is to comprise
about fifty men. is to be directly in
charge by Sergt Olmsted.
Soldiers especially adapted for serv-
ice in the detachment are to be chosen
by the commanders of the three COM
pantes, that now comprise the machine
gun battalion. All the men in the
horses. with the exception of the mo-
tor cycle orderlies and teamsters.
What the Organization Embraces.
In the Organization will be twenty
four teamsters. three motor cycle or,
derlies. three mounted orderlies. three
range finders and about a dozen mount
ed privates. The detachment will be
quartered in the barracks that now are
used for guardhouse and post ex-
change. The men of the new unit
win live on the upper floor of the
building. In the rear are a number of
stables, where the horses and the wag-
ons of the detachment will be kept.
Sore and blistered feet are popular
among. the District selects. especially
following the long hikes that they take
twice week. In order to ascertain
the exact condition of their 'triblies,"
Maj. Zane. accompanied by a medical
officer. has made 1t practice of hold
ing an inspection.
Tho men are sent to their quarters
and told to remove their pedal castings
and stand in line while the major gives
them the "once over" The blistered
the medical onicer.
Gun Practice Enforced.
and machine gun practice in the train
ing course prescribed here for the Dis
trict soldiers of the 312th Machine Gun
Battalion.
trying out new Enfield rifles on the big
range that is now being completed
here.
The program Of work for the present
week, which includes much sighting
practice, is an important preparatory
measure for high development along
this line.
"Hostess House, Dedicated.
Tho Y. W. c. A. hostess house at the
camp was officially dedicated Sunday
afternoon before a throng of interest
ed visitors from Philadelphia Balti-
more and Washington by Bishop John
Gardner Murray. head of the Protestant
Episcopal diocese Of Maryland
Mrs. James Cushman, president of the
woman's national war work council.
turned the new building over to the
soldiers. Brig. Gen. william j. NichoI-
4 son, acting commander of the canton
ment, accepted the structure In behalf
| Of the men.
| In a short address tho general re-
marked that mo soldier was ever con-
women" and that the gathering place
at the camp for the mothers. friends
and sweethearts of the soldiers paved
the way to work of splendid character
on the part Of the women's organize