Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-05
1ST maine BOYS
Well and Happy Though
Working Hard
eays Major Harry NJ. Smith. Recently
Discharged for Physical Disability
He Tells About the Routine and Life
Of the Boys at Camp Bartlett.

Major Harry NJ. Smith of the LIST
Maine Heavy Field Artillery, who re-
ceived an honorable discharge from
the regiment on account of physical
disability, arrived home in Bangor
Sunday, and when seen by CONNER
cial reporter Monday, declared that
parents should be treasured regarding
their soldier sons and brothers; that
they are all enjoying the best Of
health. working very hard, and are
contented with their lot. While Major
Smith does not make any definite
statement, he believes there will be
some delay before the heavy artillery
bows go to France because he thinks
that their departure will not take place
until they have been supplied with
heavy uniforms This is neither Off
cial nor authoritative, merely his Off
hand opinion.
As illustrating the spirit of the boys
in his battalion. which includes Bat
terry F of Bangor, Major Smith related
this incident:
When we got to Westfeld, we
worked the better part of two days
and one night az clearing the camp
site and of course the boys were all
tired. Then came the order that we
would have to empty line of freight
cars at night so the track could be
used for other troops. Twenty five
men were needed for the work. I
lined the battalion up and explained
the situation.
II acknowledged with appreciation
their hard work Of the two days and
night. but that I was obliged to call
for volunteers to work another night.
] asked % men who were least ia
tigued 70 step forward two PAGES. The
whole battalion of 400 men stepped
tro PAGES to the front. I again ex-
planned the situation and called for
volunteers. Again the 400 came for
ward Then had to ask the first SER
eeants Of each battery to select the
men best fitted to 60 at the work.
These men worked that night. making
4s consecutive hours ) of labor, and
came into mess the next morning sing
ing. That's the spirit of the Eastern
Maine BOYS in this war. The entire
battalion is working like high spirited
horses.
Zone night the battalion had to work
without sleep. Cook William Mccarthy
volunteered to furnish hot supper
for the men at midnight. He did this,
and when you consider that the work
ing parties were spread out for dis
lance Of three miles. and that every
Won can see that the compliments Of
Col. Balentine to Cook Mccarthy were
merited.
Camp Bartlett at Westfield IS the
camping place for the two Maine regi-
ments at the present time. the Second
Infantry and First Heavy Artillery.
They are located about quarter Of a
mile apart and when the men have a
little leisure. which is seldom. they
exchange visits. The work has been
hard but conditions are ideal for a
sanitary camp. All that is possible
has been done to keep 1t healthful. Up
70 now the men have been engaged in
clearing the land and making camp.
and are starting TO drill at the present
time. The soil is sandy and covered
with bushes and trees six to eight feet
tall All this had to be cleared away
and the stumps grubbed out.
The health of our boys has been
very good. They are brown and their
muscles are hard: they present very
soldierly appearance. Discipline is
strict. Progress made in getting them
into shape militarily speaking has been
wonderful.
They are up at 5.45 every morning
and are at 1t with brief respites until
dark. P1enty>of good, wholesome food
IS supplied to them.
mo visitors may enter the camp be-