Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-14
HIKE OF THE
Seth BRIGADE
Personally Conducted Trip BY
Zone of Them" Men Sing
and Whistle All the Way.
EiIlLplNG NO. Is.

The hike Of the 56th Brigade started at
a. m. on Thursday. The last of the
procession returned to camp about 10 p.
m.
Those taking part in it were the old
10th and 18th Infantry Regiments, regi-
ment~ of engineers, several machine gun
comics and Ambulance Companies 1903,
10 and liz, probably 5000 men in all.
There were several hundred mule drawn
supply combat, transport, water and
kitchen wagons in line. These canvas
topped wagons reminded one of train
Of prairie schoons'' crossing the plains.
1t was a regularly planned military ex-
body and rear guard The engineers fol-
lowed the advance guard and built four
bridges over creeks. The rest of the
brigade cheered the engineers heartily as
each bnidg was crossed
Ambulance Companies 10 and 112 had
gone out earlier in the morning and put
up tago field dressing stations at two
convenient places along the route. Here
these two companies stayed all day.
Ambulance Company No. 109 of Pitts
burg, brought up the rear. The infantry
company iodine Girls pill Rollers
etc, the first few miles out, but they
had to eat their words before the hike
was over. I counted forty dough boys
whom we picked up before darkness fell.
Many of these We're mere boys who
should have been home with their moth
ers, One Of these youngsters murmured
in a half fearful voice as he was put in
an ambulance, who said we had it soft
in America %
The diagnosis tags pinned on those who
in most cases. Others complained Of
sprafned ankles, blistered feet, cramps,
heart trouble and what not.
At / O'clock being quite a distance in
the country, we halted and had dinner.
Each company brought its own mess wag-
on along. Puppy tents were pitched and
feet examined. One crowd Of fellows
found a store 90 after an hours search,
and tried to purchase some food. The
old woman who tended it explained: 1--WE
amt got nuthin' fer sale today. The old
to SELL, Upon asking one of the natives
where we were, we got this answer:
Guess We're in Columbia County some
whars" To prevent drinking of possible
placed at the nearby wells.
After long rest we struck our tents
and started again. Some thought we were
going to turn around here, but they were
disappointed. as we went straight ahead.
The route followed described great half
circle.
covered, but some fellows, judging by
how tired they felt, swore it was fifty.
We halted again at 2 o'clock and had
supper It was dark by that time and
much cooler. We started again at
O'Clock
Some tried to take a short cut home,
but lost their way in the darkness and
reached camp hours later than the rest.
Anew got cold feet before we were five
miles on our way out and left the ranks
and sneaked back.
The men were in the best of spirits the
whole trip. singing and whistling the
whole way I'VE Won't Get Home Til
Morning was favorite song.
Ambulance Company No. 109 sang a
new song. to the tune of "The Old Gray
Mare It went 1.-THE Ambulance is filled
with infantry, flied with infantry etc.
ever since two miles out" It got the
dough boys " goat all right. This same
company did the last ten miles without
rest Part of this distance was made at
double time. Everybody tried to let on
he wasn't tired after camp was reached,
but no one was deceived.
There was a greater number than usu-
al absent from reveille the next morning.
By zone of Them