The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-10-20
DESCRIBES CAMP
AT AMERICAN LAKE

A California man who recently went
TO american Lake describes the rou-
tine there. AS all recruits go about
the same route, and as they are now
forbidden to write anything about il
to their friends back home,," we
reprint a part of this civilians letter
as a matter of general interest:
The boys arrived in camp Saturday
with a perfect setting of Washington
weather-rain-an IL has continued
intermittently ever since. Needless TO
say, they were CHEEKY, but strong for
California sunshine. Very often re-
cruits are received at noon and hus-
tied into the ranks for drill at l pm.
The atmosphere is very democratic
except during drill. Officers are do
ing everything they can to make the
men comfortable. Legache soon takes
the place of heartache, and all seem
happy, except few cases to which
fate has been most unkind.
At the depot we were taken in hand
by lieutenant and marched to a rope
inclosure in front of the adjutant's
tent Here those who had charge
were called out one at a time and re-
lfeved OF their papers (copies OF each
mans registration card) also his med
ical examination. The names were
then given to a lieutenant and he
called us out and formed us into
company. Then came the march 10
quarters, and during the march we
had a chance to realize the magnitude
OF the camp. We knew why they told
us to bring light baggage. for my suit
case weighed ton and | heard others
make comments to the same effect.
We placed our baggage in the bar
racks and then marched to nearby
storehouses and received and filled
mattresses with straw, marched back
and carried our cots upstairs, and
then were issued two blankets, which
by the way were not enough for us
of sunny California, and we received
an extra one. Then we were in
structed as to how our cots were to
be made. and after that marched 10
the mess hall. II / had not been
doing the same thing myself, would
never have been recognized by fellow
members, for they were making the
grub disappear so fast the walters
couldn't keep up with them.
After mess we formed into a COM
pany. tall men first, and marched
around for inspection by the major,
then were released for the afternoon.
There was grand rush for mess
formation again at night, and it has
been the same ever since.
Sunday we didn't do very much, as
it rained hard all day; but Monday
we sure had a full day, which went
something like this:
First call-5:45.
Reveille-5:55.
Assembly-6:00.
Physical drill-6:05 to 6:29.
Breakfast-6:45 As.
Drill-7:30 to 500.
Rest-S00 to $40.
Drill (setting up)-S:10 to 900.
Rest-9:00 to 9:10.
School of squad-9:10 to 10:00.
Rest-10;00 to 1910.
Signal drill-10:10 to 11:00.
Rest-11O0 to 11:10.
Hygiene-11: to 11:40.
Dinner-12:00.
Drill orange finding)-1:20 to 200.
Rest-2:00 to 2:10.
Instruction first aid)-2:10 to 800.
Rest-3:00 to $40.
Instruction-3:1 to 400.
Inspection-41
Supper-5:00.
Lights out-9:30.
Can you imagine the magnitude of
this camp? 1t is built in the heart
of a vast acreage of pine, fir aad
cedars, and surrounded by hills COW
cred by the same trees. This camp
was constructed almost in a night,
and in a short time will have a popu-
lation of $4,000
One little item in the construction
was 270 miles of light wire.
Think of 1877 buildings about 5Ox
120 feet. two stories high. stretching
as far as the eye can see. vast parade
grounds, hospitals. barracks, and
everything necessary to shelter $4,000
of Uncle Sans finest.
Ten thousand workmen will be here
for a month yet to finish the final
touches of construction.
Motor trucks and automobiles fly
back and forth in great numbers.
The cost of construction of these
camps was 100000. Each barracks
has it's own mess hall.
The officers here have a new game
called "spotting the rockies" The
officers of different divisions have all
kinds of stunts to discover men for
their particular use. such as truck
drivers, mechanics. cooks. mule skin
ners, etc. We all get chance to show
our domestic qualities. You have to
smile and like 1t though. as this is nc
nlace for a crouch