Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-02
QUIET DAY AT
CAMP BARTLETT

Camp Bartlett. Hampton Plains, Sept
30.-Perhaps 1t was because goodbyes
have been said so many times already, or
possibly it was the threatening weather
and the terrific thunder shower which fol-
lowed, but anyhow, there were the small
est number of visitors at Camp Bartlett
today of anv Sunday since the troops
marched into Westield.
Even the presence of Holyoke. Spring
field and Worcester soldiers In nurober, in
addition to those from Rhode Island,
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and
connecticut failed to attract the thou
sands who have made pilgrimage TO the
camp heretofore, and except for scat
tered groups who came in desultory fash
ion throughout the afternoon, the camp
was deserted Hundreds OF men joined
the procession which went from the
grounds yesterday on liberal leaves
which expired tonight and in some cases
not until Tuesday. All who could do so
hustled home over the weekend, and
their home going kept thousands who
would otherwise have visited Westfield
away.
All activities except those absolutely
necessary to the conduct Of the routine
duties of the camp were suspended, ana
with the exception OF guard mount TINS
afternoon in the camps OF the several
regiments there were no formal ceremon-
les. 1t was just a typical camp Sunday
with little for the soldiers to do but keep
smiling.
The shower late in the afternoon was the
xn,ht lob has Wis
the camp since 1t was established more
than six weeks ago. Everything has been
made ready for Just such happening,
and other than the dampness outside the
soldiers suffered no discomfort. Not
tent was blown down or a tent peg loos-
ened.
This morning there were the customary
church services. Chaplain Carey and
Rev. FIR. Conner conducted field mass at
O'Clock and Chaplains Cochrane and
Balentine conducted Protestant services
at o'clock. Music for both was Turn
tshed by the Eighth Massachusetts, Infan-
try Band This afternoon there were band
concerts In the several regimental camps,
and tonight there were Y. NJ. c. A. ser
vicse in the various "Y" tents which are
scattered about the grounds.
The work Of the Y. M. C. A. cannot be
over-estimated. 1t would be almost use
less to try and total the. vast amount or
mail matter which has passed through Y.
NJ. c. A. hands The incoming mail is
distributed through the organization
chaplains. but the bulk of the outgoing
mail is sent from the Y. M. G. A. tents.
The association supplies writing mate
rIals, and takes care OF the sending or
letters and parcels, There are Bible
schools in every Y. M. c. A. unit, TIN
secretaries have given motion picture
shows and entertainments. have fitted out
circulating libraries and furnished books
and current periodicals to the men and
have organized classes for the study OF
French. They have assisted in the for
nation of athletic teams and the further
ing Of athletic contests, and 1t has been
their task to keep thousands OF boys
away from home busy in idle hours.
The ''Y'' tents have solved many knot
ty problem and to those who did not
know lust how much the Y. NJ c. A. Is
doing in It's welfare work among Ameri-
can soldiers, a study Of the methods IN
vogue at Camp Bartlett have been reve-
iation.
Men forming the football squad OF the
First Maine Heavy Artillery came
through their contest with the Springfield
Training School without serious injur'',
There were a few bruises and sprains,
but these were of minor Importance. Tho
squad will get down to brass tacks this
week and will devote every spare mo-
ment of its time to getting in shape 70
meet Boston College in Boston next Sat-
urday Other games with Worcester
Tech. University of Maine and possibly
Harvard little later in the season are
in prospect Springfield Union: