River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-10-25
More Co. D. Boys Volun-
teer for Immediate
Overseas Duty
D. Men Promoted
Privates Smith of Maiden Rocl
and Striebe1 of Oak Grove
Appointed Sargeants--
Three Attain Rank
of Corporal

Since last weeks letter was writ
ten there was another selection of
volunteers for immediate overseas
duty with the engineers nd besides
those whose names were given last
Thursday. the following Co. d boys
have left for Camp Merritt, New
Jersey, for a short preparatory
training before leaving for France:
G. Covall, H. P. Christensen, I. M.
Green, Clyde Dopkins, Walter Engle-
dinger, Ralph A. Peterson, c. Kittle-
son, G. Nelson, O. Peterson, K.
Montbriand, R. S. WATSON, I. F.
Meagher, H. J. Knops, Fred Oliver,
George Julian, Julius Julson, A..
Jewell and V. Christensen.
On Monday the boys from Chica-
go, who had been in Co. D since ar
irving here couple of weeks ago,
left to join the Illinois national
guard unit now encamped at Camp
Logan, near Houston. Texas. There
were about 40 of them. The Com
pany now consists of Wisconsin boys
only, but there will soon be trans
fers made to bring it,up to the re-
quired ESQ.
Promotions through the entire
regiment were announced on the
18th inst. In Co. d. Private Harvey
C. Smith of Maiden Rock and Priv.
ate Frederick A. Striebel of Oak
Grove are appointed sergeants.
Privates Chas. H. Augustine, Mar
Gus Jensen, Nels F. Grendahl and 5.
r. Morse are appointed corporals.
Private Leroy G. Kuenning. brother
Of Professor A. G. Kuenning of the
River Falls Normal school and him.
self an alumnus of that institution,
re eived a corporalship in Co. b OF
this regiment.
During the past week the drill
work has included the construction
of system of trenches, ten miles OF
them, arranged "for the defense of
Rockford" The trenches are pat
termed after those in actual use in
Europe and are located between
camp and the city. In recent lee
lures Ca lecture period at the bar
racks follows every drilD the Co,
has been given the history and pres
ent methods of gas and liquid flame
warfare. 1t was quite surprise tc
learn that the gas attack is one OF
the oldest of war monstrosities
originating by the ancient Greeks
1t was ruled OUT and had beer
discarded for centuries as too inhu'
man until in April, 1915, when it was
revived by the Germans The boys
here will be furnished with gas
masks and will go through drill, etc.,
with them on in gas filled rooms sc
as to become accustomed to them.
Occasionally the Company has the
opportunity of hearing lectures by
French or British officers who have
spent several months on the, battle.
fields of Europe. A French captain
in an address to non CONS. Of the
341st, laid especial stress upon the
tone of the letters from home. II
these letters reflect hope and good
cheer the men will respond to their
duties in the same spirit; a sorrow.
full, gloomy letter will do more tc
put soldier down and out than any
war machine, said he. He also said
that every soldier should have 9
good woman backing him with hel
love and encouragement. He told
the non. CONS. to get we'll acquaint.
ed with their men and if a soldier
was found without mother, wife OF
sweetheart he should furnish him
with one at the earliest opportuni
ty."
In the army violations OF rules OF
orders are snapped up little more
rigidly than in civilian life, and nc
one, officers included, is exempt. Co
DIS captain has been absent for &
week through a slight misunder'
standing regarding the loose lumber
hereabouts. He sent out detail tt